The Dutch Hospital, now a vibrant shopping and dining precinct in front of Echelon Square, Colombo, is one of the city’s oldest buildings. As its name suggests, this historic structure dates back to the Dutch occupation of Sri Lanka, which lasted from 1656 to 1796.
Tucked away behind the Grand Oriental Hotel, St. Peter’s Church presents an unassuming stone façade that hardly resembles a place of worship. This is because it was never intended to be one. Originally constructed as the banquet hall of the Dutch Governor’s residence, the building underwent a transformation when the British took control of Colombo.
The Colombo Port Maritime Museum lies inside an old Dutch Warehouse belonging to the Dutch Fort of Colombo built in 1676. The museum displays the maritime history of the island including depictions of key historical maritime events.
The Dutch established three main entrances: Galle Gate, Water Gate, and Delft Gate to the east. Among them, Delft Gate, also known as the East Gate, was the most crucial during Dutch rule. Unlike conventional gates, its inner and outer entrances were not directly aligned but connected via a curved passageway through the rampart—a strategic design to enhance military defense
Cargills Building was built in 1906 and was one of the most state of art buildings at the time. An ancient statue lies in the lobby believed to be of the goddess Minerva brought by the Dutch or the Portuguese. Below the statue lies a foundation stone marked 1684.
Leopards typically do not attack humans unless they are startled, feel threatened, or are wounded. However, like other predators, if they develop a taste for human blood, they may actively seek out humans as prey.
The Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is one of the largest subspecies of leopards worldwide, possibly due to its position as the island’s apex predator with abundant prey. Typically solitary—except for females with cubs—males’ territories overlap with multiple females and some neighboring males, though each maintains an exclusive core area.
Galpaya Bambaragala Monastery is an active Buddhist hermitage. This region was once part of a flourishing Buddhist city that extended as far as Kuragala during the reign of King Mahanaga in the 3rd century BCE. The name Bambaragala refers to the area beneath the Galpaya Rocky hill, characterized by numerous drip-ledged caves.
This 15th century inscription features an etching of an individual worshiping Sri Pada. It includes a description by a Brahmin named Dharmaraja, detailing the construction of the stone steps leading to the peak of Dharmaraja Gala.
Rankoth Vehera in Gileemale (Gilimale) is an ancient temple situated along the historic route to Sri Pada. The temple’s most significant artifact is a slab inscription from the reign of King Vijayabahu I (1070–1110) referring to the granting of Gileemale for the benefit of the pilgrims who went to worship the Sacred Foot Print of the Buddha on the Sri Pada.
Kirimakulgolla is a village situated between Diyawinna and Kalupedigama in Kalthota, bordered by a mountain range to the north. The southern slopes of this range contain numerous natural caves, some of which have been inhabited since ancient times.
Lanka Pabbatharama Rajamaha Vihara Archaeology site lies just passing Budugala Rajama Vihara Ruins in Kalthota. Both these temples are believed to have been part of the greater monastery of Kuragala. Looking streight up towards the hills behind the temple, you can see the new Stupa buit at the top of Kuragala Rock which is accessible from the other side of the hills.
Amidst the jungle above the Thanjanthenna Wewa Reservoir in Kaltota, the ruins of an ancient complex, known as the Endagala Ruins, can be found. At this site, remnants of an ancient building have been preserved. The main structure was constructed on a natural rock surface, with clear evidence of its existence seen in the pillar pits and raised moonstones embedded in the rock.
Although the Diyavinna Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya appears modern due to recent construction, ancient cave inscriptions within confirm its existence since the 2nd century BCE. As per historical accounts, the temple was established under the patronage of sub-king Yatala Tissa, who governed the Ruhuna sub-kingdom during that period.
The Buddhist ruins of Handagiriya, situated amidst a beautiful paddy field, are spread over an area of about 5 acres. Farmers who cultivate the fields say that building foundations, clay tools, stone, brick, and tile fragments emerge from the ground from time to time throughout the paddy field.
The Molligoda Ambalama is a small square stone ambalama. This ambalama is built on a stone foundation about 2½ feet high. Large, well-cut stone blocks have been used for this. On top of it, 4 stone pillars have been built. The roof of this is completely collapsed. Only three of the four pillars remain.
Elikewala Ambalama is made on 4 wooden beams placed on 4 stone blocks on the ground. 4 wooden pillars are tenoned to the frame and another wooden frame is built on top of it, on which the roof is built. The vertical wooden pillars are elaborately carved. But they have deteriorated to the point where they are no longer recognizable.
The Habaraduwa Meepe Welamada Ambalama, built amidst a scenic paddy field, has a long history of over 200 years. The Meepe Ambalama, which was dilapidated was restored and preserved by the Department of Archeology in 2016. This Ambalama is square. The roof is supported by four pillars. It is covered with Sinhala tiles.
The Seelawathi and Mulgirigala mountains are located about a kilometer apart near Modarawana. While not as tall as Mulgirigala, Seelawathi hill covers a larger area. Three sides of the mountain have steep cliffs, while the remaining side provides access to the summit. Though the Seelawathi Rajamaha Viharaya is ancient, its origins remain unclear.
Several alternative viewpoints, known as Mini World’s Ends, provide similarly breathtaking vistas in Sri Lanka’s hill country at a much lower cost than the Great World’s End at Horton Plains. Here are some of the best Mini World’s End viewpoints worth exploring.
