The city of Anuradhapura is situated 205 kms away from Colombo in the north
central province of Sri Lanka on Malwathu Oya. Founded in the 6th century BC,
it was the capital of the Sri Lanka from 4th century BC to beginning of 11th century
AD. Today this ancient capital of Sri Lanka has become sacred to the whole Buddhist
world , with its surrounding monasteries covering a area of 40 sq kilometres and
one of the worlds major archaeological sites.
According to Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of the Sinhalese, the city of Anuradhapura
was named after a Minister called Anuradha who founded this area as a village
settlement. He was one of the ministers who accompanied king Vijaya from India,
who according to the tradition founded the Sinhalese Race in Sri Lanka.
It was king Pandukabhaya who made it his capital in the 4th Century BC.
It was during the period of his grandson king Devanampiyatissa that the
Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka by Arhath Mahinda Thero, the son of Emperor Asoka in India. This was 236 years (middle of 3rd century
BC) after passing a way of Load Buddha. From this point onwards a great
civilization developed based on one of the greatest religions of South
East Asia, Buddhism.
Routes to Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttlam (Puttalama) and though Kurunegala. Traveling from Puttlam you will pass scenic Wilpattu area. the From Kurunegala there are two main routes to Anuradhapura. The most common route is through Dambulla. The other route is though Galgamuwa. Out of all the routes, the commonly used is the Kurunegala - Dambulla route.
Distances from Colombo to Anuradhapura through Puttlam
From
Colombo
To
Wattala
08
Negambo
35
Chillaw
80
Puttlam
132
Kala Oya
171
Nochchiyagama
183
Anuradhapura
206
Distances from Colombo to Anuradhapura through Kurunegala - Dambulla
From
Colombo
To
Miriswattha
25
Warakapola
56
Ambepussa
58
Allauwa
67
Polgahawela
74
Kurunegala
93
Malsiripura
119
Dambulla
150
Kakirawa
169
Maradankadawala
177
Anuradhapura
209
Distances from Colombo to Anuradhapura through Kurunegala - Galgamuwa
