Sri Lanka’s famous historical sites have become the staple of many a travel programme. With Red Dot, you can experience Sri Lanka's magnificent heritage in much more imaginative style and will also include impressive ancient ruins off the major tourist beat. We can design a holiday with culture & heritage at its core but with so much more according to your wishes. You might like to take a hot-air balloon ride over the 17th century Dutch Fort in Galle, or to cycle through the ancient ruins of Polonnaruwa. Combine your cultural exploration with a thorough Ayurvedic detox - another enticing possibility. Ayurveda meaning `the Science of Life’, is an ancient form of healing and well-being that dates back 5,000 years to the Vedic era in India. This ancient healing wisdom that was nurtured by the kings of Sri Lanka, continues to be the preferred form of preventive and curative health care especially in the rural areas. If you just hanker after beaches, the cultural triangle is convenient for Nilaveli on the stunning east coast. The magnificent temples of Tissa and Kataragama are close to the beautiful South coast beaches.Cultural TriangleThe Cultural Triangle covers towns of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, and Dambulla’s archeological ruins provide a glimpse into the glorious past of this island. It is here that the country’s great kings such as Vijaya, Pandukabhaya, and Devanam Piyatissa to name a few, gave rise to a great civilization that was based on agriculture and Buddhism. The extensive archeological ruins of the Cultural Triangle are now protected by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. [More]Kandy For two centuries Kandy’s monarchs, protected by Kandy’s natural forces of rivers, mountains and jungle, proudly withstood the onslaught of three European forces: the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. To this day it remains proud of its cultural heritage. The sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined here within the Dalanda Maligawa, also known as the Temple of the Tooth that dates back to the 16th century. The Kandyan culture is distinctly different from the island’s coastal areas. [More]Kitulgala & RatnapuraThe Sabaragamuwa province covering Kitulgala & Ratnapura is of great archeological importance with the discovery of Stone Age settlements in Balangoda. Considered to be the earliest settlement on the island, the excavated artifacts are currently on display in the National Museums of Ratnapura and Colombo. It is also believed that Lord Buddha visited Sri Pada, or Adam’s Peak, in Ratnapura making it a significant place of worship for Buddhists. In more recent history, the Portuguese in the 17th century occupied this area introducing Catholicism, followed by the Dutch. Several churches built during this period still remain in Ratnapura. [More]Buttala FoothillsThe Mahavamsa (ancient Buddhist Chronicles) describes how Buddhist warrior kings used Buttala as a base to defend the Ruhunu Kingdom against the invading Indians from the north. They did much to develop this arid region and the Weliara reservoir, constructed more than 2,000 years ago, is still used today to irrigate the paddy fields of the South. Evidence of an ancient Buddhist civilisation can be seen in caves and excavated jungle ruins. [More]South CoastThe south coast, blessed with secluded cove-like beaches and shimmering turquoise seas, is part of the ancient Ruhuna kingdom has fascinated travelers for centuries. During the 17C, Galle and Matara was occupied by the Portuguese who built garrisons in both towns which were later developed into forts by the Dutch. [More]GalleGalle owes its historic importance to its natural harbour and strategic location. It has long been a hub of trade and commerce with ships from all parts of the world docking at the ancient port to barter their goods for treasures from this island: precious gems, pearls, spices, and scented woods. Galle is even referred to as the Biblical `Tarshish’ where King Solomon's ships called at port to take aboard treasures. [More]Colombo Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and lies alongside the present administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura, Kotte. Colombo’s port was influential as early as the 5th century when ships from Rome, Arabia, and China traded with Sinhalese kings for food supplies, spices and jewels. Colombo’s destiny changed over the centuries as many nations fought for dominance over the island’s valuable treasures including Arab settlers in the 8th century, followed by the Portuguese, the Dutch and, finally, the British who captured Colombo in 1796. This era of western domination ended peacefully with independence in 1948. Colombo is now a mixture of ancient, colonial and modern influences. Old ancestral mansions stand side-by-side with the ritzy condominiums that are springing up into the skyline. [More]North WestThe coastal towns just north of Colombo including Negombo, Marawila, Chilaw, Kalpitiya, and Puttalam, are rich with cinnamon & spices and hence have attracted traders from Arabia, Asia and the West as far back as the 5th century. Many of those traders settled in the area, including the Portuguese and Dutch in more recent history. Today, many communities from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds lead peaceful lives along the North West coast. [More]
It is important for all visitors to Sri Lanka to have a sound knowledge of local customs and law especially when visiting cultural, religious and historical sites. Given below are relevant customs and regulations:• According to the law of the country, it is illegal to smoke or drink in public. Smoking and consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited at all cultural and religious attractions.• No visitors are allowed to enter religious places under the influence of alcohol.• Selling and serving of alcohol is prohibited on Poya full moon days as these days have a religious significance, according to Buddhism.• Visitors of both genders have to wear decent clothing to cover the body appropriately when visiting religious places and shorts and sleeveless tops are not acceptable. This rule is strictly adhered to at all religious sites especially the Sacred Bo Tree and Stupas in Anuradhapura and the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.• Visitors should remover hats, caps, shoes and slippers when entering buildings and sites with religious monuments. Most of the sacred sites have a secure facility at the entrance for visitors to leave behind shoes and slippers for a very small fee.• At some attractions such as Dambulla and Kandy, visitors have to purchase a camera permit for their still photo and video cameras.• It is prohibited to take photographs posing with Buddha Statues. This should be followed by all visitors as a sense of respect to religious monuments.• At historical places of archeological and cultural value such as Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, where many ruins of ancient buildings are found, visitors should refrain from walking on the brick walls, touching wall murals and frescoes. This can cause damage to these ancient ruins.The golden rule for all visitors to cultural religious and historical attractions is to 'take back only good memories and photographs leaving behind only foot steps'.
Department of Archeolog - Click HereInformation on ancient sites, archeological museums, history of Sri LankaSri Lanka National Museums - Click HereInformation on national museums across the countrySri Lanka Tourist Board - Click HereInformation on ancient sites, temples & Kovils, peraharas & festivalsMinistry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage - Click HereInformation on upcoming events, museumsVirtual Library Sri Lanka - Click HereArticles on ancient settlements, ancient kingdoms, culture and heritage of Sri LankaGreat Dynasty of Sri Lanka - Click HereArticles on Kings and Queens of Sri Lanka and ancient kingdomsSri Lanka History Page - Click HereInformation on Sri Lanka’s history from pre-historic times, ancient kingdoms, to the Colonial period