Some historical sites in Sri Lanka – short notes Jayaindra Fernando Introduction Sri Lanka is a land like no other, with multitude of places to see. If you are over 18 and has not seen these places, then there is no time to lose. If you have children under 18 still there is no time to lose. Show them these cultural gems before they leave the nest to roam the wide geographical and social world on their own. Your country deserves the duty and your Lankan born children are entitled to the privilege. This document is a rough note and not a publication. Distances are as of the original writings and not converted to metric. Of course it is incomplete. All information in this are already in the public domain. Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Anuradhapura and surrounding area ................................................................................................. 3 Sri maha bodi ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Brazen palace ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Ruvanweliseya .................................................................................................................................... 3 Jethawana ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Mirisaweti ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Abayagiri ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Samadi ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Toluwila statue .................................................................................................................................... 4 Kuttam................................................................................................................................................. 5 Isurumuniya and Vessagiriya .............................................................................................................. 5 Thuparama .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Lankarama ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Mihintale ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Avukana............................................................................................................................................... 6 Thanthirimale ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Dambulla area ..................................................................................................................................... 7 Dambulla ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Sigiriya ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Pidurangala ......................................................................................................................................... 7 Nalanda gedige ................................................................................................................................... 8 East ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Trinco fort and Konneswaram ............................................................................................................ 8 Seruwila ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Magul maha ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Muhudu maha ................................................................................................................................... 10 Hill country ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Dalada Maligawa ............................................................................................................................... 11 Embekke ............................................................................................................................................ 11 Lankathilaka ...................................................................................................................................... 12 Gadaladeniya .................................................................................................................................... 12 Aluvihare temple ............................................................................................................................... 13 Adams peak ....................................................................................................................................... 13 North ................................................................................................................................................. 14 Nagadeepa ........................................................................................................................................ 14 Jaffna fort .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Nallur kovil ....................................................................................................................................... 16 Keerimalai Naguleshwaran Sivan kovil, hot pools and and Dambakola patuna- ............................. 16 Maviddapuram Kandaswami kovil ................................................................................................... 16 Mannar fort ....................................................................................................................................... 17 Wayamba .......................................................................................................................................... 17 Munneswaram kovil .......................................................................................................................... 17 Kalpitiya. ........................................................................................................................................... 17 Panduwasnuwara .............................................................................................................................. 18 Dambadeniya .................................................................................................................................... 18 Yapahuwa .......................................................................................................................................... 18 Negombo fort .................................................................................................................................... 19 Polonnaruwa ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Inner city ........................................................................................................................................... 19 Dalada maluwa – Pollonnaruwa, includes Sathmahal Prasada, Vatadage, Hetadage, Atadage and Thuparama. ....................................................................................................................................... 20 Pabalu vihara..................................................................................................................................... 20 Rankoth Viahra .................................................................................................................................. 20 Alahana pirivena complex includes Lankathilaka, Baddaseemaprasada and Kirivehera ................ 21 Galvihara ........................................................................................................................................... 21 Thivankapilimageya and Nelum pokuna ........................................................................................... 21 Pothgul vehera and the statue ......................................................................................................... 21 Medirigiriya ....................................................................................................................................... 21 Somawathiya ..................................................................................................................................... 22 South ................................................................................................................................................