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Things to do in Uda Walawe, Tissamaharama and Kataragama

Activities on Sri Lanka’s historic southern plains

Uda Walawe, situated between the highlands and the south coast, most resembles an African game park and is the best place in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants throughout the year. Unlike other National Parks, Uda Walawe does not have a seasonal variation in elephant numbers and it is easy to encounter a few of them at any time of the year. Late evenings give the best lighting for photography with amazing sunsets over the Uda Walawe Reservoir.

The Elephant Transit Home, run by Sri Lanka’s Wildlife Department, the Elephant Transit Home at Uda Walawe seeks to conserve Sri Lanka's elephant population. Young elephants, either orphaned or are recovering from injuries, are rehabilitated before their release into the wild. Watch the mischievous baby jumbos being bottle fed.

Tissamaharama was the capital of the ancient Ruhunu Kingdom in the 2nd century B.C. A scenic backdrop to Tissamaharama town is provided by the sprawling Tissa lake, built 2,300 years ago. The town is dominated by ancient Buddhist temples as well as an archeological Museum that provides a glimpse into the ancient Ruhunu kingdom.

Kataragama is an ancient pilgrimage site where all religions are worshipped. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians visit this ancient holy site. It is believed that King Dutugemunu the warrior king and Sinhala folk hero built a shrine here for the worship of the Kataragama God in the 2nd century BC. Each day, at specific times, Kataragama’s Hindu shrines come alive when poojas (devotions) are presented to the Gods – a mesmerizing experience.

Sri Lanka is never short of statues and rock carvings to make up an enthralling activity for the historically minded. The ancient rock carvings at Buduruwagala, close to Welawaya, comprise of seven gigantic Buddhist figures sculpted into a 70ft cliff. And the Maligawila statue, 15m kms from Buttala and dating back to the 7th century, is the largest freestanding image of the Buddha in Sri Lanka.

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  • Tissa and Kataragama
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