The Interior
Sri Lanka’s capital is a fascinating city, blending its older culture with modern Western influences. A palm-fringed drive of 34km (21 miles) leads from the Katunayake (Colombo) International Airport to Colombo. Nearby is Fort, so-called as it was a military garrison during the Portuguese and Dutch occupation from the 16th to the 18th century, is today the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Pettah, 2km (1 mile) from Fort, is a busy bazaar area. The Vihara Maha Devi Park, named after the mother of one of Sri Lanka’s greatest kings, is noteworthy for its collection of beautiful flowering trees, a blossoming spectacle in March, April and early May. The park is open daily until 2100 and is well illuminated. The Parliament Building is at Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte. Other attractions include the Planetarium, the National Zoological Gardens and several museums and art galleries.
There are numerous Buddhist temples scattered around Sri Lanka: Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya, 10km (6 miles) from Fort; the Vajiraramaya at Bambalapitiya, 6km (4 miles) from Fort; Dipaduttaramaya at Kotahena, 5km (3 miles) from Fort; and Gotami Vihare at Borella, 7km (4.5 miles) from Fort. Also worth visiting are the Gangaramaya Bhikkhu Training Centre and Sima Malaka at 61 Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo, 3km (2 miles) from Fort; the Purana Viharaya at Metharamaya, Lauries Road, Colombo 4; and the Purana Viharaya at Hendala, 0.8km (0.5 miles) on the Colombo–Negombo road, en-route to the Pegasus Reef Hotel. Additionally, there are also some Hindu temples to explore: at Kochikade Kotahena, the Pettah and Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4; Sri Siva Subramania Swami Kovil, Gintupitiya – within walking distance of Sea Street, Colombo 11 (Pettah). Reflecting Sri Lanka's diverse communities, there also mosques worth visiting in the Davatagaha mosque at Union Place, Colombo 2; and the Afar Jumma mosque in the Pettah.
Kandy, a picturesque, naturally fortified town, 115km (72 miles) from Colombo, was the last stronghold of the Kandyan Kings. It withheld foreign conquest until 1815 when it was ceded by treaty to the British. It is now a cultural sanctuary where age-old customs, arts, crafts, rituals and ways of life are well preserved. Good sightseeing trips should take in the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Dalada Maligawa); Embekke Devale; Lankatillaka; Gadaladeniya; Degaldoruwa temples; museums; Royal Botanic Gardens; Peradeniya; Elephants’ Bath at Katugastota; the Kandyan Arts Association; Kalapura (Craftsmen’s Village) at Nattarampotha (6.5km/4 miles from Kandy); and Henawela Village – famous for its ‘Dumbara Mats’ (16km/10 miles from Kandy).
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