Parakramabahu the Great - Polonnaruwa

On the Southern side of the Parakrama Samudra (Polonnaruwa) is a striking stone statue of a bearded man holding in his hands what seems to be book (written on palm leaves). The care-worn expression hints at royalty and popular belief identifies it as a statue of Parakramabahu the Great.

Gal Vihara at Polonnaruwa

Cut from a single granite wall, the statues of Lord Buddha, at Gal Vihara (rock shrine), in Polonnaruwa, rank among the finest in Sri Lanka. The statues were carved out in 12th century A.D., and has weathered the elements remarkably un-touched. The statue shown here is that of the seated Lord Buddha.

Fortress from the sky – Sigiriya

The rock fortress Sigiriya, rises some 600 feet above the scrub jungle plain in the north central part of Sri Lanka. It is this very feature that drove young prince Kasyapa, after killing his father King Dhatusena, by entombing him alive, to this lonely rock in the jungle to hide from his older brother who was gathering an army to retake the throne. Kasyapa while in self imposed exile made his new kingdom as liveable and pleasant as possible by surrounding himself with his loyal followers, and for his personal enjoyment, what could only be described as "pinups". These frescos are to this day preserved in a grotto in the sheer west face of the rock.

City of Kandy with the lake in the foreground

Kandy, the last capital of Sinhala kings, nestled in the foothills of the Hill Country, with its beautiful lake at the center, is the center of traditional Sri Lankan Culture.
Kandy, the anglicization of the Sinhala word kande, meaning "hill" is about 1600 feet (488 meters) above sea level and is the favorite city of travelers from all over the world. The Sacred Tooth of Lord Buddha is preserved here in it's own temple "Dalada Maligawa" ( The Temple of the Tooth ) and a replica of this holy relic is paraded around the city, on the back of the chief elephant "Raja", for two weeks every year during the month of August. Esala Perahera or the parade during the month of Esala is a spectacle not to be missed, with hundreds of brightly decorated elephants, dancers and singers from all walks of life, who turn this normally quiet small town to into one enormous festival, during those two weeks.

Ruwanweli Stupa at Anuradhapura

Popularly regarded as the greatest, and certainly the most popular among the Buddhists, of the stupas at Anuradhapura, Ruwanveli Seya, is the pride of the Great Emperor Dutugamunu. Raised in the 2nd century B.C. this dagoba is supposed to have the perfect water bubble shape. There are four gate houses marking the outer walls of this magnificant structure, and within the courtyard a receantly built "elephant wall" upholds the dagoba platform. Among the many statues in the courtyard there is one that is of a larger-than-life man. This is considered to be the king himself watching his work from a respectable distance.

Isurumuniya Lovers - Anuradhapura

Isurumuniya temple, in Anuradhapura, built in the 3rd century B.C. is noted for its rock carvings. The best known among these is the "Lovers". Many a poet and song writer has taken inspiration from this carving to write their masterpieces. It is believed that the carving may represent Saliya, and the low-caste maiden whom he loved. Saliya was the son of the great king Dutugamunu.