Vaguely similar in feel and, like Sigiriya, a World Heritage Site, the temple complex at Dambulla has drawn Buddhist pilgrims since the 3rd century BC. Such astonishing longevity is testimony to the site’s pedigree: it’s Sri Lanka’s largest…

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Straddling a major crossroads at the heart of the island, Habarana is our preferred base for visiting the monuments of the Cultural Triangle at Sigiriya, Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. It’s also handy for the Minneriya National Par…

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Anuradhapura, the vast capital that endured for nearly a millennium from around 377BC and today it remains a sacred city as Buddhism’s initial home on the island. The famous ‘Tooth Relic’ -a canine of the Buddha retrieved from his funeral p…

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For visitors exploring the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, nearby Minneriya National Park, and the interlinking Kaudalla and Hurulu Eco Parks, make an excellent change of pace and scenery. At its heart of Minneriya stands the…

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Set beside a shimmering artificial lake, Polonnaruwa is the most compelling of Sri Lanka’s ancient capitals. From the 11th to 13th centuries, a succession of ambitious kings developed an immense city here. Its triple-layered, concentric wal…

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In the very heart of Sri Lanka, a massive flat-topped, sheer-sided rock rises abruptly from the plains. It is a striking sight made all teh more remarkable with an unusual Fortress at its summit. Built in the 5th century by King Kassyapa-I…

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