UNESCO World Heritage sites are outstanding examples of the world’s natural or cultural heritage. Sri Lanka is enlisted therein with seven cultural properties and two natural regions of biodiversity. Visit to these sites to indulge in fascinating glimpse of historical and natural wonders of Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya (The Most Visited)
The spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya is one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions which were built by King Kassapa 1 (477-95). According to chronicle Mahawansa, he transformed the natural rock in to a heavenly Palace with water gardens, moats, walls and frescoes. The rock summit was replaced with a grandeur palace complex, which was approached through a brick..
Polonnaruwa (Garden City)
Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993 by the South Indian Cholas who strategically moved to Polonnaruwa to establish their rule. King Vijayabahu 1 who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 continued to rule the united country from the city of Polonnaruwa.
Anuradhapura (Sacred City)
Anuradhapura was the first capital of the ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka for some 1400 years until the 10 century AD. The great chronical Mahavamsa attests that the city was founded by King Pandukabhaya in 380 BC. With the introduction of Buddhism in the 4th century BC, the sacred city centered around the Bo-Tree which was planted in 245 BC.
Dambulla (Golden Temple)
The history of the Dambulla cave temple complex is thought to date back 3rd century BC when this area became the location for the largest Buddhist monastic settlements on the island of Sri Lanka. King Valagambahu (89-77 BC) took refuge here when he was driven out of Anuradhapura by the South Indian invaders. When he regained his throne, he had the interior of the caves carved into magnificent rock temples.
Kandy (Sacred City)
World Heritage City of Kandy, only 115 km inland from Colombo, surrounded by forested hills and climatically agreeable due to its 500m altitude. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhala kings during which the unique culture flourished until the occupation of the city by the British in 1815. It is also the site of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the sacred tooth of the Buddha),..
Galle (Fortified City)
In 1505, the Portuguese, under the leadership of Lorenzo de Almeida made their first landing on the Galle Harbour and made a new chapter of country’s history. Before the Portuguese, explorer Ibn Batuta had touched this port in 1344. The Portuguese built permanent settlement in 1589 which was called Santa Cruz.
Sinharajah Rain Forest Reserve
Sinharajah is the last vital undisturbed area of rainforest in Sri Lanka which is also considered to be a biodiversity hotspot. The commercial logging that threatened the balance of the ecosystem was banned and the area was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1978. UNESCO inscribed Sinharajah as the World Heritage Site in 1989 in view of its biological diversity including those containing threatened species and their conservation.
Central Highlands
Sri Lanka’s central highlands are the latest addition to the World Heritage Sites. They are situated in the south-central part of the island. The area comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest.
