Gangaramaya Temple (61 Sri Jinarathana Road, Colombo) — What was once a swamp adjoining the famous Beira Lake, a landmark in the capital city, is today a vibrant complex comprising the Gangaramaya temple, the ‘seema malaka’ – an assembly hall for monks – in the picturesque Beira Lake and a vocational training institute. The temple […]
Galle National Museum (Church Street, Galle) — This building is one of the oldest structures in the forts and is from the early Dutch period. A long one-story building with a colonnaded front veranda, it is typical of Dutch colonial architecture of the time. This building was once the barracks for junior officials of the […]
Dutch Fort (65A Lighthouse Street, Fort, Galle) — Dutch Fort at Galle, close to the island’s southernmost point, 173km from Colombo, has the distinction of being the best-preserved sea fort in South Asia. A living heritage site, this 90 hectare (222 acre) attraction is a superb blend of architecture, with fortifications that resemble those in […]
Colombo Dutch Museum (Prince Street, Colombo) — The building was constructed during the Dutch occupation of Colombo from 1656 to 1796. It was the former residence of the Dutch Governor Thomas van Rhee. The building was a teacher training college and an institute to instruct clergymen between 1696 and 1796. It was the residence of […]
Adam’s Peak – located 5 hours (149 km.) east of Colombo, this mountain, a.k.a. Sri Pada, is an important pilgrim site. The devotees of many religions climb the mountain to invoke blessings. Buddhist believes the impression on the summit is the footprint of the Buddha. Sripada is the 4th highest mountain in Sri Lanka (7362 […]
Arcade Independence Square (30 Independence Square, Colombo) – located within a prominent British colonial era building, this shopping center has an array of international and regional retailers (such as Dockers, Levi’s, Nike, and Samsung), as well as a variety of (mostly) higher-end restaurants, and a movie theater.
680 Blu (Calamander Unawatuna Beach Resort, Unawatuna, Galle) – given its location, this is one of Unawatuna’s more upscale beach bars (as opposed to the beach shack-themed venues often found in Sri Lanka). Still, there are often beachside partying events here – frequented by both resort guests and visiting tourists staying elsewhere.
Barracuda Sea Food & Grill (No. 41/2, Wasala Road, Dehiwala) – located on the Wellawatta/Dehiwala coast along the Marine Drive, sandwiched between the Main Line railway tracks and the Indian Ocean, this restaurant embraces the spirit of family-friendly beachside dining. Barracuda specializes in exclusive Chinese and Thai dishes prepared by an experienced chef from Thailand, […]
CAR RENTALS – the following car rental agencies operate in Colombo: Avis: +94 11 4 385405 Budget: +94 11 4 377366 Car Rental Sri Lanka: +94 75 477 3100 Europcar: +94 11 244 5860 Malkey Rent a Car: +94 11 236 5365 OnlineRentCar.com: +94 11 44 065 44
Anuradhapura — founded around the 5th century BC, Anuradhapura (located 4 hours – 203 km. northeast of Colombo) is the oldest city in the Cultural Triangle and Sri Lanka’s first capital. In its heyday, tens of thousands of people lived in a city of royal palaces, monasteries, temples topped by glittering jewels, houses of two […]