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Urban Forest Park in Colombo City – symmetrical manifestation By Arundathie Abeysinghe Encompassing a network of verdant vistas with trees planted sporadically, water parks and a space to dine within magnificent greenery, Galle Face Urban Forest Park and the Beira Lake Open Air Restaurant is an urban oasis adorning the landscape of Colombo City that was declared open recently. As there are plants and trees intermittently in the Urban Forest Park with vistas of Beira Lake and the cool breeze, dining is within verdant vegetation. Spread within two acres in the heart of Colombo City, the Forest Park and the Open Air Restaurant is indeed a cynosure of all eyes. Situated in Scout Road which runs across Galle Face Road, along the Beira Lake, the Urban Forest Park is a symmetrical manifestation of trees and foliage. The corridor at the center of the Forest Park made of red beams ...

Mar 22, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, Colombo City, SRI LANKAN FOOD, Urban Development Authority, Urban Forest Park

Robert Knox Memorial – tribute to a British Traveler By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located at Eladatte in Lagundeniya about 12 kilometers from Gampola town, this memorial is a tribute to *Robert Knox who lived in *Ceylon for almost 20 years as a captive of *King Rajasinghe II, the ruler of the Kandyan Kingdom. Robert Knox was an English Sea Captain who served in the British East India Company. In 1659, when the ship he was sailing had a malfunction and landed in Ceylon, he was captured by King Rajasinghe II along with 15 other sailors and they were prisoners of the Kandyan Kingdom till he finally escaped to England (present United Kingdom) in 1680. Although, he was in captivity, the King had treated him well and he had been given land as well as houses to live in various places with almost unrestricted mobility within the Kandyan Kingdom. He had ...

Mar 15, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, British East India Company, British Traveler, Ceylon, King Rajasinghe, Robert Knox, Robert Knox Memorial

Crocodile Rock – archaeological site in Arugam Bay By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated in Arugam Bay in East Coast of Sri Lanka, a surfers’ paradise, Crocodile Rock is also known as “Elephant Rock”, according to many tourists. The site is known as “Crocodile Rock” due to its elongated ‘snout’ shape. In reality, the name is derived due to mugger crocodiles that access this site via the adjoining Heda Oya (Oya meaning stream in Sinhala). At times, there are mugger crocodiles basking in the sun on Crocodile Rock. Situated around 320 kilometers east of Colombo adjacent to the Indian Ocean, Arugam Bay is one of the best surfing sites in the world. Crocodile Rock is situated at the river mouth where Heda Oya falls to the sea, towards east of *Sastrawela Mani Naga Pabbatha Viharaya. The area of Crocodile Rock is a popular beginner as well as intermediate surfing site. Crocodile ...

Mar 14, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arugam Bay, Arundathie Abeysinghe, King Mahanaga, Kingdom of Ruhuna, Poya Day, Sastrawela Mani Naga Pabbatha Viharaya

Jaffna Fort – archaeological monument in the Peninsula By Arundathie Abeysinghe Sprawled over the southeastern edge of Jaffna and situated in close proximity to the bordering lagoon overlooking *Kayts Causeway, Jaffna Fort is an archaeological monument in Jaffna Peninsula. It is the second biggest Dutch Fort built in Sri Lanka. Originally, the Fort was built by the Portuguese in 1618 under directions of *Phillippe de Oliveira. Jaffna Fort is one of the well-preserved colonial ramparts and located near the coastal village Gurunagar. In 1658, the Fort was captured by the Dutch under the rule of *Rijckloff van Goens during the Dutch Colonial Era. During this era, the Fort was expanded. In 1795, during the British Colonial Era, the British took over the Fort and it remained as a British Garrison till Sri Lanka gained Independence from the British in 1948. To date, Jaffna Fort is the only large military ...

Mar 12, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Jaffna peninsula, Kayts Causeway, Phillippe de Oliveira, Rijckloff van Goens

Henarathgoda Botanical Gardens – evolution of Sri Lankan economy By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated in close proximity to Gampaha town and Gampaha Railway Station in Gampaha -Minuwangoda Road about 32 kilometers from Colombo, Henarathgoda Botanical Gardens also known as Gampaha Botanical Gardens was opened in 1876. Surrounded by paddy fields, the picturesque water stream (Attangalu Oya) and a secondary forest, the Gardens has a large collection of tropical flower plants, an extensive collection of palms, orchids, endemic trees, properly designed shrubs, bushes and trees as well as a well-landscaped garden layout. Plants from every corner of Sri Lanka can be found in the Gardens. The Gardens is linked to the evolution of Sri Lankan economy as the first imported rubber tree to Sri Lanka was first planted in the Gardens from the first imported seedlings of Brazilian rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) planted in Asia. According to legends, British Explorer Sir ...

Mar 9, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, Ceylon, Gampaha town, Henarathgoda Botanical Gardens, Minuwangoda Road, Sri Lankan economy

Hanthana Mountain Range – protected nature reserve in Kandy By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated 1240 meters above sea level, Hanthana Mountain Range is situated in central Sri Lanka, south-west of the city of Kandy. The Mountain Range stretches from Kandy City to the town of Galaha situated about 20 kilometers to the south of the City. There are seven peaks in the mountain range. *University of Peradeniya is situated at the foothills of Hanthana Mountain Range, on a 1,080 acre stretch of land. Hanthana Mountain Range is a favorite destination among mountain hikers and nature lovers in Sri Lanka, especially among undergraduates of the University of Peradeniya as well as undergraduates of other national universities in Sri Lanka who choose the location for their annual trip. The foot of the mountain range can be reached from Peradeniya-Galaha Road or Kandy-Udawela Road, the most popular being the Peradeniya-Galaha Road. Hanthana Mountain Range has been ...

Mar 5, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, Hanthana Mountain Range, Sabaragamuwa Province, University of Peradeniya

Kandy Clock Tower – a memorial to a son By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located in the center of Kandy City, at a major intersection, Kandy Clock Tower is an iconic landmark. Embellished with traditional Kandyan style architectural motifs, the Clock Tower blends well with the surroundings. The design of the clock tower is influenced by Kandyan architectural style. Kandy Clock Tower was completed on December 23, 1950 and declared open for the public by the former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, D.S. Senanayake and Kandy Mayor E.L. Senanayake in 1951 in the presence of Mohamed Zacky Ismail’s family members. The clock tower has a tragic story behind it and is also known as Kandy Ismail Clock Tower as it was constructed by Haji Mohomed Ismail, the local agent for Rowlands Limited (the largest importer of British cars to Sri Lanka during that period) in memory of his son Mohamed Zacky ...

Feb 28, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Kadugannawa, Kandy Clock Tower, Mahaweli River, Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, University of Peradeniya

Lakegala Mountain – wrapped in mystery and legend By Arundathie Abeysinghe Located about 324 meters above sea level, Lakegala Mountain is a 1310 meter high rock famous due to its unique triangular pyramidal shape and colossal size. Spectacular Lakegala Mountain is one of the highest bare rock outcrops in the world. Meaning “Rock of Lanka” (Lankagala in Sinhala which later became Lakegala), Lakegala is situated about 175 kilometers away from Colombo in *Meemure. As Lakegala Mountain is situated in Meemure, the mountain is pristine and undisturbed from the external world and has abundant endemic flora and fauna. Situated in close proximity to Kandy and Matale Districts, there are several access roads to Lakegala. According to foreign tourists, the unique triangular shape of Lakegala Mountain resembles the “Matterhorn of the Rockies”. The trek to the peak is arduous for average hikers, especially the last 300 meters of the journey. Hence, ...

Feb 26, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Arundathie Abeysinghe, Central Province, Dandu Monara, Meemure, Ramayana, Rawana

Cenotaph War Memorial – a tribute to military personnel By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated near Viharamahadevi Park and Public Library in Colombo, Cenotaph War Memorial is a monument dedicated to military personnel who died in action during the World War I and II. The *Cenotaph War Memorial comprises a towering Cenotaph as well as a Memorial Wall. Initially, the War Memorial was located at Galle Face Green. The foundation stone for this memorial had been laid by Governor of *Ceylon Brigadier General Sir William Henry Manning on December 7. 1921. This memorial had been unveiled by Sir William on October 27, 1923 (at Galle Face Green). It was initially known as Victory Tower. It was initially built to commemorate Ceylonese as well as Europeans who died in action during the World War I. Cenotaph and the Memorial Wall had been designed by the renowned architect *Sir Edward Lutyens. During ...

Feb 20, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Armistice Day, Arundathie Abeysinghe, Sir Edward Landseer Lutyens, Viharamahadevi Park

Buduruwagala Buddha Statue – tallest rock-carved statue By Arundathie Abeysinghe The Buddha Statue at Buduruwagala Rock Carved Temple is considered as the tallest rock-carved statue in the world after the destruction of Bamiyan Buddha Statues in Afghanistan. Situated about nine kilometers from *Wellawaya on *Thanamalwila Road (about 25 kilometers from *Ella), Buduruwagala Rock Carved Temple is a less visited place by local as well as foreign tourists. The location can be reached from a scenic road. According to scholars, Buduruwagala means “the rock with the statue of the Buddha” as Buduruwagala is derived from Buddha (Budu), images (ruva) and stone (gala) in Sinhala. There are seven figures of the Buddha at the Temple, carved on a rock at the center of the cliff face, centered by a huge 15.3 meter Buddha Statue in Abhaya Mudra* position and there are three smaller statues on both sides. On the tallest statue ...

Feb 15, 2021 Posted by eLanka admin In Articles, Arundathie Abeysinghe Tagged Anuradhapura Period, Badulla, Bodhisattva, Ella, Monaragala, Thanamalwila, Theravada, Uva Province, Wellawaya