Man Eating Leopards of Sri Lanka
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.
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Leopards of Sri Lanka
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.
Bambaragala Aranya and the Cave Inscriptions in Galpaya (ගල්පායේ බඹරගල ආරණ්යය සහ ලෙන් සෙල්ලිපි)
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.
Dharmaraja Gala Inscription (ධර්මරාජ ගල සෙල්ලිපිය)
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.
Gileemale Rankoth Vehera and the Slab Inscription (ගිලීමලේ රන්කොත් වෙහෙර සහ පුවරු ලිපිය)
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 Caves in Kaltota (කල්තොට කිරිමකුල්ගොල්ල ලෙන්)
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.
Kaltota Lanka Pabbatharama Rajamaha Viharaya (කල්තොට ලංකා පබ්බතාරාම රජමහා විහාරය)
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.
Kaltota Endagala Ruins (කල්තොට ඇඳගල නටබුන්)
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.
Diyavinna Devagiri Rajamaha Viharaya (දියවින්න දේවගිරි රජමහා විහාරය)
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.
Ratnapura Handagiriya Archaeological Site
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.
Molligoda Ambalama and Ancient Bodhi
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.
Pathahewaheta Elikewala Ambalama
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.
Habaraduwa Meepe Welamada Ambalama
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.
Seelawathi Rajamaha Viharaya
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.
5 Main Mini World’s End Viewpoints in Sri Lanka (ශ්රී ලංකාවේ ප්රධාන කුඩා ලෝකාන්ත නැරඹුම් ස්ථාන)
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.
Aruwakkalu Survey Tower Built by the British (අරුවක්කාලු මිනින්දෝරු කුළුණ)
The recently discovered Aruwakkalu Survey Tower, despite being partially covered by jungle, remains in relatively good condition, although its plaster has worn away in several areas. It stands over 150 feet tall and consists of two sections, with a smaller, shorter block at the top.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka (ශ්රී ලංකාවේ යුනෙස්කෝ ලෝක උරුම)
Sri Lanka boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcasing the island’s diverse heritage, ranging from ancient cities like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, which reveal sophisticated urban planning and remarkable architectural achievements, to the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress, a masterpiece of engineering and art.
Maliyadda Sri Sudarshanarama Tampita Viharaya (මාලියැද්ද ශ්රී සුදර්ශනාරාම ටැම්පිට විහාරය)
The Tampita Viharaya at Maliyadda is built on 22 stone pillars, each 610 mm high. The circumambulatory path surrounding the structure is 787 mm wide on all three sides. The image house within measures 2.3 meters in width and 5.2 meters in length
Seethala Wanniya and the Pihilegoda Galge Cave Art (සීතල වන්නිය සහ පිහිලේගොඩ ගල්ගේ ප්රාථමික ලෙන් චිත්ර)
Seethala Wanniya is one of the rocky hills that surround the newly constructed Rambakan Oya Reservoir. The Pihilegoda Galge Cave is one of the largest caves in Seethala Wanniya. It extends about 30 feet in length and is approximately 10 feet tall at the front. The cave was first documented and photographed by the Seligmanns in 1911.
Pimburaththewa Wewa Reservoir Spill (පිඹුරත්තෑව වැව පිටවාන)
The Pimburaththewa Wewa is a stunning 2,400-acre reservoir in Aralaganwila, famed for its unique zig-zag spillway built during the 1980s Mahaweli Project. This hidden gem near Maduru Oya National Park transforms into a cascading spectacle during rains, attracting crowds for bathing and frequent evening sightings of wild elephants.