The Dutch Reformed Church, with gables on the eastern and western walls, but no tower, was completed in 1755. It is similar in style to the ones in Negapatnam and Cochin in India, even including the walls. It is built on the site of an earlier Portuguese convent. Around the church and within the walls is a small graveyard.
The Yakkalamulla Polpagoda Ambalama is made of brick and mortar with a half wall traversing around the building. Nine brick walls supports the roof the building. The roof is tiled using Gam-Ulu, Semi Cylindrical Clay Tiles. If you are traveling via the Southern Expressway, you can take the Imaduwa Exit and proceed towards the Imaduwa town. From there, take a left turn towards Polpagoda and cover a distance of approximately 7.4 km to reach your destination with ease.
Beaches of Hikkaduwa has been a popular tourist destination since 1970’s and was the most popular beach known internationally for a very long time.
A survey tower on the Unawatuna Rumassala Hill has been called as Edward’s Pillar, Galle Tower in the past by various authors. The tower under discussion is called Burton’s Pillar obviously due the inscription at the foot of the pillar. This survey tower is obviously built by W. Burton in 1875 of the Public Works Department which is now called Survey Department of Sri Lanka as per the carving on the bottom.
This building adjacent to the Ambalangoda Inn was built by the Dutch in 1750 as a rural church. This oblong building took the same form as other small churches built by the Dutch. Later it was used as a warehouse, a stable, a village court and a court building.
Rumassala is a captivating blend of Rāmāyaṇa legends and colonial history near Unawatuna. From Hanumān’s dropped Himalayan fragment to Arthur C. Clarke’s magnetic anomalies, this hill radiates mystery. Atop its slopes, the Sama Cetiya Peace Pagoda, symbolizing a global movement for harmony and resilience, offers spiritual serenity and panoramic ocean views.
Kanneliya-Dediyagala-Nakiyadeniya or KDN is is the last large remaining rainforest in Sri Lanka other than Sinharaja and was designated as a biosphere reserve in 2004 by the UNESCO.
The Seenigama Devalaya is a unique island shrine near Hikkaduwa dedicated to the powerful deity Devol Deviyo. Famous for its “justice-seeking” rituals, devotees grind chilies to invoke divine retribution against adversaries. This coastal sanctuary, accessible by boat, remains a potent symbol of spiritual protection and ancient southern folklore.
Hiyare is a secondary lowland rain forest with a high diversity and endemism of species. There are 12 species of dragonflies and 3 butterfly species endemic to this area.
Bentota Bemvehera Gane Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the five temples which belonged to the Bentota Rajamaha Viharaya which was built during the king Devanampiyatissa.
Bodhimalu Rajamaha Viharaya has been built during the reign of the minister Devaprathiraja of the king Saddhatissa (137-119 BC) by the minister Devapathiraja. It is believed that one of the first 32 samplings of from Sri Maha Bodhi is planted here.
Udakotuwa Bodhi Sameepa Bentota Rajamaha Viharaya is one of the five temples which belonged to the Bentota Rajamaha Viharaya which was buit during the king Devanampiyatissa.
Wilgamu Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Tampita Viharaya built in 1240 by the Minister Devapathiraja, during the king Parakarambahu II of Dambadeniya Kingdom. Minister Devapathiraja is credited with contributing immensely towards the development of temples in the Southern Region.
Koggala Kathaluwa Purana Viharaya has been built around 1820 and today houses the press used for the first buddhist publication in 1860. In addition the and a 200 year old octagonal image house with paintings with European influence and a unique Nawamuni Seya stupa could be found at this temple.
An ancient temple which has been declared as a protected archaeological site. To reach the temple, take the road along the Koggala Airport landing strip. An archaeological board on this road will direct you to this ancient temple.
Lankagama is a remote village on the boarder of Sinharaja Rain Forest which is considered the last village before Sinharaja.This village is bordered by the Sinharaja Rain Forest from north and Nilwala River from the south. Beyond the Nilwala River lies the Nilwaligama and the Dellawa Forest Reserve. A Sangili Palama (hanging bridge) connects Lankagama and the Nilwaligama across the Nilwala Ganga.
The Black Fort is the most ancient part of the Galle Fort which was built by the Portuguese. This fort was built in 1588 and was called “Santa Cruz”. After Galle was coneded to Dutch it was known as the “Black Fort” , ” Zwart Fort” or the “Zwart Bastian”.
It is only from close range that the true beauty of the 12m Andahelena Ella Falls can be appreciated, making the difficult approach well worth the trouble. A picturesque pool forms at the top, before the water cascades downwards.
The Ambalama at Galle Fort lies at the far end of the fort in the open space known as the Courthouse Square. This is a simple brick and mortar structure with with four cylindrical pillars holding the roof.
Sunandarama Maha Viharaya dates back to the 18 th BCE . In 1750 the “Bodhi” was planted according to the belief.In that time this temple was a residence for nuns.But “Sunandarama Maha Vihara” systematically started in 1970.
