In Matale, there is a granite obelisk similar to the World War I obelisk memorials in Galle and Avissawella. However, there is no inscription found on this memorial. The brass place which was fixed to this memorial was removed by vandals long ago. Some contend that this memorial is dedicated to Gogalegoda Banda, the leader of the 1848 Matale Rebellion, who was executed by the British.
Hidden away in Dambulla, Pophams Arboretum is a sanctuary where an amazing spectrum of Trees, Birds, Butterflies, Dragonflies and Mammals can be observed in their natural habitat. It was established by Sam Popham in 1963 and handed over to the Institute of Fundamental Studies in Kandy in 1989 for conservation, research and education.
Rising 200 meters vertically from the flat pains, Sigiriya Rock (Lion Rock) in Sri Lanka provides you with one of the most dramatic sites in Sri Lanka. Top of this rock contains ruins of an ancient palace complex, built during the reign of King Kasyapa (477AD – 495 AD) and surrounding rock is the Royal Garden.
Ibbankatuwa is an early Iron Age burial ground that has been dated to 750 BC to 400 BC which lies few kilometers before the Dambulla town on the Kurunegala-Dambulla Road.
The period of Veherabandihinna temple complex belongs to has been confirmed by the inscriptions found in the excavations carried out at the site. Archaeologists have discovered more than 7 inscriptions which belonged to and was built during the reign of King Kanittatissa (164-192 CE) during the Anuradhapura period.
Rusigama was also one of the sites selected by King Devanampiyatissa (250 BCE to 210 BCE) to plant one of the Dethis Pala Ruha Bodhi Trees, one of the very first 40 saplings of the Sri Maha Bodhi of Anuradhapura.
The Naula Ambalama is situated at the heart of the Naula town. Its origins can be traced back to the reign of King Devanampathissa, as per the legends. Historical records indicate that the establishment of Naula Sri Naga National School took place at this building during the British colonial era (1880s).
Godapola Ambalama stands on a square platform with half walls surrounding the building near a paddy field underneath a patch of large trees. Four octagonal pillars hold the roof of the Ambalama. These pillars are decorated with simple pillar heads (Pekada) with floral designs.
The Ambalama at Makulethenna lies just 100 meters away from the Makulethenna Rajamaha Viharaya in Matale. To reach this building from Matale, take the Harrison Jones Road and travel 3.5 km along this narrow road. The ambalama lies near the road surrounded by lush paddy fields.
On 26 July 1848, the leaders and the supporters of Matale Rebellion entered the historic Dambulla Viharaya and at 11.30 a.m., Gongalegoda Banda was consecrated by the head monk of Dambulla, Ven. Giranegama Thera as the king “Sri Wickrama Subha Sarva Siddhi Rajasinghe”. He asked the people whether they were on the side of the Buddhists or the British.
This pillar in memory of the freedom fighters led by Gongalegoda Banda and the Veera Puran Appu had been erected in the heart of the Matale town adjacent Alick Aluvihare Indoor Stadium of Matale.
The ancient library of the Pallegane Pothgul Viharaya contains a large number of texts written in Ola Leaf and in printed from, the vihara is designated as a pothgul vihara. The temple consist of a dagaba, chapter house and other appurtenant buildings.
Kawatayamuna Rajamaha Vihara is a temple visited by buddhists and other faiths alike due its uniqueness. The temple has no historic value, but popular for the galley of various sculptures of hell and of other.
Narangolla Tampita Viharaya structure stands on 1053 cm high stone pillars. The circumambulating path is 60cm wide on all aides. Complete structure is 5 meters long and 4 meters wide. The inner sanctum is 3.8mx2.8m in size.
This site at Wewala has been a quite a large forest hermitage in the ancient past based on the number of drip-ledged caves found at the site. This a large low lying rock formation dotted with cave shelters.
Nuwaragalkanda archaeological site is located about 16 km east of the city of Dambulla, in a low mountain range which runs north-south through the Nuwaragalkanda area. Large and small buildings and irrigation facilities are built along a dried up stream between the main vein and the branch ridge.
The Sudukanda (meaning “white mountain” in Sinhara) ruins are located in the central western end of Wasgamuwa National Park, which has the western limit of the Amban River, a tributary of the Mahaweli River, the largest river in Sri Lanka, and two mountain ranges in parallel.
Udakahahena small village in the hills 16 km off Ibbagamuwa and 30 km off Matale. The Rajamaha Viharaya at the Udakahahena is home to one of the rare Tampita Viharaya in the country.
This 50 meter high Thaliya Wetuna Ella waterfall lies in Alakola Estate in the Knuckles mountain range in Kandy District. Therefore this fall is also known as Alakola Ella. It is formed in a tributary of the Hulu Ganga originating in the Knuckles mountain range.
Pallepola Sri Weluwanaramaya is situated at where the home of the National Hero Weera Keppetipola was located. The Tampita Grain Storage Unit which was part of the house hold over 200 years ago can still seen at this temple.
