More than seven centuries ago, Marco Polo described one of the gems in the treasury of the King of Sri Lanka, a magnificent ruby, as ' brilliant beyond comparison.'

that description might just as well apply to Sri Lanka itself, for indeed no holiday destination can compare with this beautiful island's miles of gorgeous beaches, ancient ruined cities shrouded in timeless mystery, a rich natural heritage and a uniquely fascinating living culture.

A history stretching back to the sixth century BC has endowed this island with the richest treasury of ancient cities, shrines and temples, from the 2500 year old grandeur of Anuradhapura, the cave temples of Dambulla, the rock palace of Sigiriya and the towering Buddha statues of Polonnaruwa to the temple of Kandy and the colonial battlements of Galle.

In addition to the cultural heritage, one can find around the island pockets of forest and wilderness sheltering hundreds of rare species of flora and fauna, herds of elephants and troops of raucous monkeys to gorgeous birds and butterflies.

In Sri Lanka's hill country, cool mountains offer a delightful contrast to the tropical sunshine of the coast, lush green plantations carpeting misty hillsides producing the world's finest tea.

Around the city of Ratnapura, the earth yields up a bounty of precious and semi-precious stones - sapphires, rubies, alexandrite and amethysts.

Each of these unmatched attractions is within a few hours of some of the finest beach resorts of the Indian Ocean island and Sri Lanka's commercial capital and gateway, Colombo.

Major tourist Attractions

tropical beaches

Sri Lanka's best beach resorts are on the island's south and west coasts, where more than hundred miles of golden beaches backed by tall palm trees, meet the Indian Ocean. North of Colombo, the resorts of the Negambo area are ideally located close to Sri Lanka's international airport.

Mount Lavinia is Sri Lanka's longest established beach resort, while further south, a chain of fine hotels extends from Beruwela and nearby Bentota southward to Hikkaduwa. these are ideal spots to relax by the pool or on the beach. they also offer plenty of activities from surfing, water-skiing and windsurfing to snorkelling and diving over wrecks and reefs.

Cities for visiting

Colombo

Colombo is an attractive capital and is easy to get around. the Fort district in the north, is the country's business centre and sights include the clock tower, a former light-house, and the President's House. East of the Fort is the colorful Pettah bazaar district. the National Museum, the Art Gallery and the cities' many mosques, churches, Buddhist and Hindu temples are popular places for visiting. Bandaranaike International Airport is located approximately 30 km from the Colombo city.

Galle

the Dutch influence in Sri Lanka is clearly visible in the southern part of Galle. the 36-hectare Dutch Fort built in 1663, has massive ramparts surrounding the promontory that forms the older part of Galle and contains Dutch houses, museums and churches.

Anuradhapura

the sacred city of Anuradhapura, founded in the 5th century BC is venerated as the capital city of Buddhism. the scared Bo tree grown from a sapling of the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment is the oldest living tree in documented history. In its vicinity are the remains of the Brazen Palace, and the towering Ruwanveliseya Dagaba. the others sites include the thuparama, the Jathawana, the Abhayagiri , the Lankarama and the Mirisavatiya. the Seated Buddha, temples, palaces and parks - all of which bear testimony to a proud and imaginative people. the Mihinthale - the cradle of Buddhism is connected with Arahat Mahinda who brought Buddhism to the island in 247 BC. Religious and secular art and architecture, carving and sculpture, paintings and inscriptions, have survived elements for over fifteen centuries. Among these are moonstones, which constituted the first step to any building or shrine, the famous rock carving known as the Isurumuniya lovers. Kuttam Pokuna, or twin ponds built in the third century, the Aukana statue of Buddha, are well preserved monuments.

Polonnaruwa

the second capital was the seat of the government from the middle of the eleventh century until the thirteenth century. A traveller to Polonnaruwa will wonder about the identity of the image in front of the Parakrama Samudra established by king Parakrambahu. this large irrigation reservoir covers 5,940 acres and irrigates 18,500 acres of rice paddies. A 12th century statue, often referred to as 'the Sage' is popularly believed to represent king Parakkamabahu 1. the ruins of king Parakramabahu's palace are described as a seven-story edifice. the royal baths known as the Kumara Pokuna represents an intricate geometrical designs. King Parakramabahu's Chamber of Council with elaborate carvings of elephants and other animals around the base and traditional moonstones and guard-stones at the entrance are master pieces. Siva Dewale, Vatadage, or circular relic house in the seventh century, the thuparama is an image house meant for a colossal seated Buddha of brick and stucco, Lata Mandapa, and elaborate stupa house Atadage, the first tooth relic shrine in the eleventh century, Hetadage or the sacred tooth relic shrine built in the twelfth century, standing image in the princely attire of a Bodhisatva, Galpotha, or stones book which is 8 metres long and 4.25 metres wide, bears inscriptions of king Nissanka Malla. Galvihara the one of the finest groups of sculptures of the Buddha carved from a single granite wall found anywhere in the world are some of the important sites to be viewed at Polonnaruwa.

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