The commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka ” Colombo ” – By Malsha – eLanka Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka, located on the west coast of the island. It has a population of over 750,000 people and is the center of economic and political activity in the country. Colombo is a bustling city with a mix of modern and colonial architecture, and is known for its vibrant street markets, historic temples and mosques, and scenic oceanfront promenade. It is also home to many government institutions, educational institutions, and cultural attractions such as the National Museum and the Viharamahadevi Park. The city’s international airport, Bandaranaike International Airport, is located approximately 35 kilometers north of the city center. History of colombo The history of Colombo dates back to ancient times. The city was a trading port and a center of commerce for many centuries, ...
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Makandawa Forest Reserve – wonderland in Kithulgala – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Sri Lanka is a small island in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), similar to a droplet of water and despite being a small island, it is endowed with a diverse collection of landscapes, climates, awe-inspiring vistas which have enticed tourists for decades. Well-known as an island of magical proportions, it was known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, “Serendib” and “Taprobane”. In 2019, Lonely Planet (travel guide book publisher founded in Australia, in 1973) voted Sri Lanka as “number one country to visit” and in 2020, Sri Lanka has been named “the best country in the world to visit” by readers of Conde Nast Traveller (a US based travel publication). A spectacular island endowed with cascading waterfalls, breathtaking mountain ranges, verdant tea gardens, wildlife parks with endemic wildlife and stunning beaches, Sri Lanka has attracted many European and ...
The waterfalls flow again-by Raveendra Welagedara Source:Sundaytimes After a prolonged drought, heavy rains brought water back to the iconic waterfalls in Bulathkohupitiya in Kegalle. Locals can see these cascading waterfalls by visiting Bulathkohupitiya town from Kegalle on Bulathkohupitiya road, or from Avissawella on Bulathkohupitiya road and from there on Dedugala road. Nalagana Ella has swelled, creating an attractive sight, due to the heavy rains experienced in the area over the last several days. Lapping sounds and the splish of water could be heard from a distance. The waterfalls are one of the most magnificent natural wonders and is a huge tourist attraction. ...
Travails in Filming “The Bridge on the River Kwai” … and The Locations Source:Thuppahis SEE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJOJ8F7bxDI The Kelani River flows through Kitulgala offering the opportunity for a gamut of water sports. In 1956 the location was used to film the movie – Bridge on the Kwai. For more fascinating video’s on Sri Lanka check out channel Destination Sri Lanka @Destination SRI LANKA. The Bridge On The River Kwai location: the military hospital: Mount Lavinia Hotel, Hotel Road, Colombo, Sri Lanka | Photograph: Mount Lavinia Hotel Bridge at Kitulgala ...
Awards ceremony at the Korea Press Federation which honoured Sri Lankan embassy Source:Island The Korea Press Federation and Seoul Press Club, the premier media institution in Seoul, honored the ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Korea, Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis, for promoting, aggrandizing and enhancing international friendship and diplomacy and mutual national development between the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka, including the peoples of the two countries, at this mega event. The aforementioned award was bestowed on Dr. Mendis by Korea Press Federation and was attended by a number of National State Assembly Members (Members of Parliament), Diplomatic Corps, corporate leaders and captains of industry of the RoK, academia and a large contingent of media personnel from both electronic and print, amongst others. ...
Batadombalena Cave – journey into the past By Arundathie Abeysinghe Verdant vistas of spectacular mountains… Silver streams with crystal clear water…Cascading waterfalls…Huge trees towering into the green gloom of the surrounding…Icy cold streams flowing down the slopes… Tall trees covered with wild creepers creating weird shapes in the thick jungle similar to prehistoric monsters…Pools of water among the rocks home to diverse small fish, crabs and frogs… Biodiversity rich forests with endemic fauna and flora… Situated in close proximity to *Kuruwita about 90 kilometers from Colombo, Batadombalena Cave is the home of the prehistoric *‘Balangoda Man’ (Homo sapiens balangodensis) where the Caves reveal a significant landmark in human paleontology, the remains of prehistoric man. Situated below the rainforests of *Adam’s Peak, Batadombalena Cave is an archeological treasure trove. The Caves are located behind a gently cascading waterfall, a mesmerizing site. From the summit of the rock, a thin sheet ...
Dawson’s Tower – accolade for exemplary service By Arundathie Abeysinghe Anyone traveling from Colombo to Kandy on Colombo-Kandy Road has to travel through many bends, some of them hairpin bends and sharp gradients when traveling up the Kadugannawa Pass to reach Kandy. At the last and sharpest bend, the road forks and one road goes through a rock tunnel and the other road goes above the tunnel. Before approaching Kadugannawa town, there is a tall while column to the right of the cliff which many consider as a war memorial. This enormous obelisk is a tribute to Captain William Francis Dawson, an imminent engineer of the Royal Engineers during the British Colonial Era who planned the construction of Colombo-Kandy Road under the direction of British Governor Edward Barnes (1824 – 1831). This huge white color obelisk similar to a lighthouse is 38 meters above the road and is a ...
White Water Rafting in Kitulgala – adventure capital of Sri Lanka By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated about 85 kilometers from Colombo on A7 Road to Nuwara Eliya via Avissawella, among verdant mountains, lush green forests, *Kitulgala is a small town famous due to the academy award-winning film ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ directed by David Lean and filmed on the *Kelani River. Popular as the ‘adventure capital of Sri Lanka’ among local and foreign tourists and located adjacent to a serene stretch of Kelani River amid two rocky outcrops, Kitulgala is situated away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Boulder strewn stretch of Kelani River at Kitulgala is an ideal venue for White Water Rafting, an adrenaline filled adventure sport popular among local and foreign tourists, an activity suitable for experts as well as novices. Rafters can enjoy breathtaking vistas of Kelani River and adjoining hamlet ...
Kadugannawa Pass and Rock Tunnel – gateway to hill country By Arundathie Abeysinghe Kadugannawa Pass and Rock Tunnel are important landmarks on Colombo – Kandy Road. Kadugannawa is considered as the gateway to UNESCO World Heritage Site Kandy as well as Central Highlands. Highest point of the climb of Colombo – Kandy Road is known as Kadugannawa Pass, a lookout point of the Kandyan Kingdom to monitor invading foreign forces in the 16th and 17th centuries from the lowlands of Sri Lanka. Kadugannawa had been an outpost of the Kandyan Kingdom and many battles have taken place in this historic town in the past. Known as Gala Vidapu Thena by locals (meaning the rock that was pierced in Sinhala), the Rock Tunnel had been a symbol of Colombo – Kandy road from time immemorial. Kadugannawa Pass is situated between Kandy Valley and *Kegalle Valley and for centuries this pass ...
