Sigiriya: Mount of Remembrance

Sigiriya (Lion's rock, Sinhalese - සීගිරිය) is a large stone and ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, 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 paintings which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. It is one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times. It was used as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the 5th century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees of the Buddhist Sangha. According to the chronicles as Mahavamsa the entire complex was built by King Kashyapa (AD 477 – 495), and after the king's death, it was used as a Buddhist monastery until 14th century.

Sigiriya (Lion's rock, Sinhalese - සීගිරිය)

The Lion Gate and Final Climbing Stretch

Close up of the Lions Paw

The Mirror Wall and spiral stairs leading to the frescoes

• Sigiriya is used as the location of many of the events in the science-fiction novel "The Fountains of Paradise" by Arthur C. Clarke, although Clarke changed the name to Yakkagala ("Demon Rock") in the book.
• The Sigiriya Museum is now open to the public

Read More 

HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK

Sri Lanka is undoubtedly one of the world's best nature reserves and eco tourism venues. It is characterized by a beautiful landscape of rolling hills, covered in upper montane forest and wet patana grassland. Read More

SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST

SINHARAJA RAINFOREST is a world heritage site and major eco tourism destination, which can also be described as a Tropical Lowland Rainforest or Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest . Whatever its 'technical' name, it is undoubtedly a rich treasure trove of nature with a great diversity of habitats and a vast repository of Sri Lanka's endemic species found no where else in the world. BIRD WATCHING in this ecosystem is particularly interesting because it is home to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka ! Named as a world heritage site in 1989, this lowland evergreen rain forest is steeped in deep legend and mystery. The word 'Sinharaja' means, Lion (Sinha) King (Raja), and it is popular belief that the legendary origin of the Sinhala people is from the union between a princess and the lion king who once lived in the forest! Read More