Sri Lanka, though small in size, has a rich and a proud tradition and a civilization which has an unbroken heritage lasting more than 2500 years. Our forefathers achieved great engineering feats which sometimes surpassed those of the present.
Tanks
According to the legendary accounts most of the early settlers founded villages in the dry zone, where the land was generally flat. The ancient rulers were aware of the needs of the people whose main occupation was agriculture. Rice cultivation depended very much on rain which could be abundant in one season and fail in the next. These variations in rainfall created an urgent need to store water and manage it properly so as to increase the production of rice.
As the time passed, our ancestors were able to control the water of streams gifted by nature. Gradually the builders of tanks developed their own technology and proceeded with the construction of reservoirs. Hill streams were taped and their water glided into giant storage tanks below, same as large as small harbors. These tanks also have an intricate system of distribution of water to a network of smaller tanks.
Sigiriya - The palace & fortres
Sigiriya called lion rock was built by King Kashyapa in 5th century. This Ancient fortress and palace surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs and other structures. A Popular tourist destination.Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient frescos and mirror wall with Graffiti. This is also one of the seven world heritage of Sri Lanka and one of major attractions.Frescos
About halfway up the rock is a sheltered gallery of frescoes painted on the sheer rock face. The 'Heavenly Maidens' are similar in style to the paintings of Ajantha in India. Some of them are still in remarkably good condition. Only 22 out of an estimated 500 pictures now remain. Flash photography is not allowed at this site.
Lion Platform
The Northern end of the rock the pathway emerges to a platform, from which the rock derives its name Sigiriya (the Lion Rock). At one time a gigantic brick lion sat at the end of the rock, and the final ascent to the summit was between the lion’s paws and into its mouth! Today the lion has disappeared, only the paws and the first steps are visible.Mirror Wall
Beyond the fresco gallery, the pathway circles the sheer face of the rock, and is protected by a 3m high wall. This wall was coated with a mirror-smooth glaze, in which visitors over 1000 years ago noted their impressions of the women in the gallery above. The graffiti was mostly inscribed between the 7th and 11th Century AD. 685 of them have been deciphered and published. The graffiti are a great source for the scholars to study the development of the Sinhala language and script.Gal Viharaya – Stone Shrines
The Gal Viharaya at Polonnaruwa represents the pinnacle of Sinhalese rock carving and tells about greatest history. The unknown sculptor has carved the statue with such tenderness. Four great statues of Buddha delicately flecked with variations in the natural colour of the granite rock. These images are the most impressive sculptures built in 12th century by Parakkramabahu the great.The first is a Samadhi image in meditation posture while the second is inside a cave and the third standing Buddha image with crossed arms and the fourth is a recumbent Buddha image depicting the passing away.
The third standing Buddha image is highly appreciated as it indicates Buddha’s great mercy and sorrows also see the ability of the artist who made the black patch going over the nose and avoided going over the eyes.
Nature Gifts
Sinharaja
Sinharaja is one of the few virgin forests left in the world; the forest has series of mountains and ridges rising abruptly from 90m to 1170m above mean sea level. This is located in the southwest wet zone corner of Sri Lanka. This forest covers an extent of about 11187he and average annual temperature is 23.6`C. Sinharaja reserve the best kept secrets in Asia, is one of the least disturbed and biological unique lowland rain forest.
Containing a number of streams, waterfalls and fresh-water springs which flow into the Gin River on the southern boundary and Kalu River to the north. A trek along the sinharaja paths would provide nature enthusiast a never to be forgotten experience of sights and sounds and feelings. The Sinharaja region has long played an important role in the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. Apart from its ecological and biodiversity value its scenic beauty is also invaluable. The largest known tree of the country is found in the Sinharaja, which is an endemic tree.
In side the forest is dark even during the day time due to close canopy above and one can here the voice of cicadas and frogs throughout the time. Small streams found within the forest contain crystal-clear cool water and one can clearly see the fish, toads and crabs swimming in it. Another characteristic feature of Sinharaja is the mixed species flock formation of its birds. Number of species in the flock can be going up to about 40 species.
The name of this “Sinharaja”, which literally means “lion king” suggests its significance as the primary home of the legendary Sri Lanka. In 1989 UNESCO seconded this precious segment of land the World Heritage site. Sinharaja not only offers a window into Sri Lanka’s distant past, but also making a world famous hotspot for biodiversity
Horton plains
Horton plains are an undulating 2000m high plateau and located a high windswept saddle. Frequently occurring mist and cloud are main sources of precipitation. This is most famous place of foreigners because its silence, have rich biodiversity and this is the only National park in country in which visitors are allowed to walk.
Three major Rivers of Sri Lanka are start in Horton plains with very cold and very pure water. The world’s end which has highest gap and Bakers waterfall which is one of beautiful waterfall in Sri Lanka are located here. Also Sri Lanka’s second & third highest peaks are found here. Though this is cold highland plateau the bird diversity is very high. More than 70% of Sri Lanka’s endemic birds are found here.
There is a slight dry period between Januarys to March. Due to altitude the area is comparatively cold. Mean annual temperature is around 15C and during colder and temperature at night drop to 0C.A land of many moods, it is a windswept wilderness to which one returns time and months it will go down further where it is cold enough to create ground frost. Something important and remarkable phrase written in a board at the entrance “You can take anything other than photographs; you can leave anything other than footprints
The Worlds End
Worlds end means the place which has highest gap in Sri Lanka. This place is situated at the border of Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Rathnapura districts and also Horton plains which is highest plains in Sri Lanka. There are lot of beautiful places and beautiful sceneries we can see the down side of worlds end at clear time. Also in this place we can see long distance very clearly in morning. When the Sun is going up the fully down side attack with mist. A wonderful thing is happening now. The misty solitude makes this place the real worlds end because there is nothing to see down side.
Yet while air and the water in the streams are branching, the sun is fiery. On the magnificent day the dawn is misty, noon is the time of blue sky and limitless visions, sunset is orange and burgundy and twilight a quite, purple hour. These are making this place a paradise.
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