Exploring the Botanical Gardens of Sri Lanka

Hakgala Botanical Garden - හක්ගල උද්භිද උද්‍යානය — Hakgala Botanical Garden – හක්ගල උද්භිද උද්‍යානය

Sri Lanka, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” is renowned for its rich biodiversity and lush landscapes. Among the natural attractions this island nation offers are its botanical gardens, which serve as centres for preserving a wide variety of plant species. These gardens are more than just places of beauty; they are centres of conservation, research, and education. Each botanical garden in Sri Lanka has its unique charm and significance, reflecting the island’s diverse flora and historical commitment to plant conservation.

The botanical gardens of Sri Lanka serve multiple purposes: they are sanctuaries for endangered plant species, laboratories for scientific research, and peaceful retreats for visitors. Established during different periods, primarily under British colonial rule, these gardens have grown and evolved, contributing significantly to the understanding and appreciation of tropical and subtropical plants.

Visitors to these gardens can expect to encounter a vast array of plant life, from exotic orchids and towering palms to ancient trees and delicate ferns. The gardens are meticulously maintained and designed to showcase the natural beauty and ecological importance of Sri Lanka’s flora. Moreover, they offer a serene environment where one can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, making them perfect for leisurely strolls, educational tours, and nature photography.

Whether you are a botanist, a nature enthusiast, or simply someone looking to enjoy a tranquil day surrounded by nature, the botanical gardens of Sri Lanka promise a fulfilling experience. They are living museums that celebrate the island’s natural heritage and play a crucial role in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.

Entrance Fees for Botanical Gardens of Sri Lanka (Local and Foreign)

Description	LKR
Local Adults	200
Local Children below 12 years and School Children	30
Local Adults over 60 (NIC proof needed)	50
Foreign Adults	3000
Foreign School and University Students ((Must have satisfactory proof)	2000
Foreign Children (5 to 12 years)	1500
Electric Cars (4 seater) – 1 hour ride	1000
Electric Cars (8 seater) – 1 hour ride	2000
Vehicle Parking	charged

(2023-06-01 Revision)

Electric Cars and other facilities are available only in certain locations and prices may be increased regularly.

List of Botanical Gardens of Sri Lanka

Garden	Date Established
Henarathgoda Botanical Garden	1876
Peradeniya Botanical Garden	1821 (However this was the Royal Garden of the Kandyan kings since King Kirti Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781) of Kandy,
Seethawaka Botanical Garden	2014
Hambantota Dry Zone Botanical Gardens	2013
Hakgala Botanical Garden	1860

Gampaha Henarathgoda Botanical Gardens (ගම්පහ හෙනරත්ගොඩ උද්භිද උද්‍යානය)
Gampaha Henarathgoda Botanic Gardens is the first Rubber nursery in South Asia and it was from the founding stock of this nursery that the rubber tree was introduced to other South Asian countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar and South India.
Hakgala Botanical Garden (හක්ගල උද්භිද උද්‍යානය)
Hakgala Botanical Garden is one of the three botanical gardens in Sri Lanka and the 2nd largest, The garden was establised in 1831 and lies 16 km off Nuwara Eliya
Hambantota Dry Zone Botanical Gardens (හම්බන්තොට වියළි කලාපීය උද්භිද උද්‍යානය)
The Dry Zone Botanic Gardens in Mirijjawila, Hambantota consist of plants, trees and herbal plants that are grown in the dry zone. Areas for a butterfly garden, a plant nursery, a student park, a plant conservation unit, a flower garden, and ornamental bushes have been separately developed.
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens (පේරාදෙනිය උද්භිද උද්‍යානය)
Situated in a loop of the Mahaweli River and 6 km west of Kandy, site of Peradeniya Botanical Gardens was a seat of power between 1371 and 1377, during the time of the itinerant capitals, however nothing remains from this period today.
Seethawaka Botanical Gardens (සීතාවක තෙත් කලාපීය උද්භිද උද්‍යානය)
Seethawaka (Sitawaka) Wet Zone Botanical Gardens was opened in 2014 covering 106 acres ( 43 hectares) with the primary purpose of serving as a research area and a conservation area for threatened and vulnerable endemic plant species in the Sinharaja Rain Forest region.

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Pothuhera Arambepola Ambalama (පොතුහැර අරඹේපොළ අම්බලම)
Pothuhera Arambepola Ambalama is a square brick and mortar structure situated in the Handugala Grama Sewaka division within the Polgahawela District Secretariat of the Kurunegala District. The walls of the Ambalama are half-height and feature a built-in ledge around the perimeter for seating. The roof is supported by four wooden beams, which rest on four brick and mortar pillars. […]
Borella Kanatte Commonwealth War Cemetery (බොරැල්ල කනත්ත පොදුරාජ්‍ය යුද සොහොන් පිටිය)
The Borella Kanatte Cemetery is the main cemetery of Colombo. It covers 48 acres and is operated by the Colombo Municipal Council. The cemetery was established in 1866 by the British colonial rulers of that time. It has separate sections for Hindus, Buddhists, Shintos, Roman Catholics, Anglicans and non-denominational Christians. […]
Jawatta Liveramentu Commonwealth War Cemetery (ජාවත්ත පොදුරාජ්‍ය යුද සොහොන් පිටිය)
Jawatta Liveramentu Public Cemetery lies on an old church built by the Portuguese. At one corner of the cemetery, lies the area dedicated to Commonwealth War Graves. The entrance to the cemetery features Memorial Tablets honouring over 300 men who died while serving in Sri Lanka. […]
Historic Well in the Jawatta Cemetery (ජාවත්ත සුසාන භූමියේ පැරණි ලිඳ)
Ruins of an ancient well built in the 17th century at the Portuguese church Nossa Senhora do Livramento, The Catholics believed that the water contained miraculous healing powers and was widely used by the faithful. […]
Sangilikanadara Wewa Reservoir in Medawachchiya (මැදවච්චිය සංගිලිකනදරාව වැව)
Built in the 3rd century BCE, Sangilikanadara Wewa belongs to the list of oldest reservoirs in Sri Lanka. Located in the valley of Sangilikanadara Oya, in the Medawachchiya DS division of Anuradhapura District, this reservoir has been built for the storage of water for irrigation purposes of the region. […]
Exploring the Botanical Gardens of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, often referred to as the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean," is renowned for its rich biodiversity and lush landscapes. Among the natural attractions this island nation offers are its botanical gardens, which serve as centres for preserving a wide variety of plant species. […]
Gampaha Henarathgoda Botanical Gardens (ගම්පහ හෙනරත්ගොඩ උද්භිද උද්‍යානය)
Gampaha Henarathgoda Botanic Gardens is the first Rubber nursery in South Asia and it was from the founding stock of this nursery that the rubber tree was introduced to other South Asian countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar and South India. […]
Liyangastota Amuna of Walawe Ganga Scheme (ලියන්ගස්තොට අමුණ)
Liyangastota Amuna (which was called Liyangahatota Amuna during British times) is an Anicut built by the British across the Walawe Ganga River lying close to the Barawakumbuka Interchange which leads to Nonangama on the Southern Expressway. The amuna was built in 1889 by the British. […]
Birds of Pray of Sri Lanka
"Birds of Prey" refers to various bird species that hunt and feed on other animals. These birds are also known as raptors and are characterized by keen eyesight, strong talons, and hooked beaks, which help them catch and consume their prey. […]
Kachchilamadu Archaeological Site in Mulativu
Among the antiquities found at the site are a moonstone, the Siri Pathul gala (scared footprint of Buddha), a large stone flower alter, a guard stone and a stone slab with Ashtamangala markings, which appear to have been brought from outside the site in addition to the stone pillars. Therefore according to the Archaeology Department, it is difficult to conclude what existed in this place in the ancient past. […]
Western Monastery ‘M’ of Ancient Anuradhapura (අනුරාධපුර බටහිර ආරාමය M)
The Western Monastery "M" is located in a shrub jungle about 750 meters off Watawandana Road. Its secluded location makes it unlikely for any pilgrim to discover or explore. To reach the site, travel along the Watawandana Road from the other cluster of Western Monasteries around the intersection of Arippu Road towards Jethavanaramaya. […]
Watagedara Sri Sudharmarama Purana Pothgul Tampita Viharaya (වටගෙදර ශ්‍රී සුධර්මාරාම පුරාණ පොත්ගුල් ටැම්පිට විහාරය)
Watagedara Sri Sudharmarama Purana Pothgul Viharaya is an ancient temple with a two storied Tampita Viharaya built during the Kandyan era. This temple lie 4 km from Godagama exit on the Southern Expressway and 8 km from Matara. […]
Maspotha Ambalama (Metiyagane Ambalama)
Maspotha Ambalama is located at a distance of 4.5 km from Alawwa town and 5.7 km from Nelumdeniya on the Beligala road. Located in the edge of a beautiful paddy field, this ambalama is made of kabok stone and plaster. There is also a well nearby for Ambalama users. […]
Analaitivu Survey Tower (අන්නලදූව කුළුණ)
Analaitivu is a small island off the coast of Jaffna Peninsula in north Sri Lanka. The only access to the island is by boat or ferry from Karainagar, Kayts or Eluvaitivu Jetties. […]
Hulangala Mini World’s End at Selagama (සේලගම හුලංගල කුඩා ලෝකාන්තය)
In addition to the popular World's end at Horton Plains, there are number of lesser known precipices with spectacular view of surrounding area. Called mini worlds ends, they are Madulsima Pitamaruwa, Pitawala Pathana , Deanston in Hunnasgiriya and Hulangala in Selagama. […]
Commonwealth War Cemetery at Kandy (මහනුවර පොදුරාජ්‍ය යුද සොහොන් පිටිය)
Formerly known as Pitakande Military Cemetery, the Kandy war cemetery maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is considered one of the most beautifully landscaped and maintained war cemeteries in the world. […]
Trincomalee Commonwealth War Cemetery (ත්‍රිකුණාමලය පොදුරාජ්‍ය යුද සොහොන් පිටිය)
The Trincomalee war cemetery was originally the Combined Services Cemetery, but was taken over by the Admiralty from the military authorities in April 1948 for use as a permanent naval cemetery. […]
Udunuwara Pitawala (Pallepitawala) Ambalama
The Udunuwara Pitawala (Pallepitawala) Ambalama structure consists of four large wooden beams, each with mortises cut at the corners, forming a frame. Positioned horizontally, another four large wooden beams with tenons support a secondary wooden frame, which holds the roof in place. […]
Nagama Pillar Inscription (නාගම ටැම් ලිපිය)
The pillar measures 4½ feet (1.4 meters) tall and 8½ inches (21.6 cm) square. Mr. H. C. P. Bell, then Archaeological Commissioner, examined it in 1895. The writing covers all four sides, with twenty-one lines on each, including the two top lines that are missing. […]