Kiri Amma Ulpatha is a sacred natural spring revered by local communities and associated with ancient Vedda traditions. Today it is also linked to the worship of the goddess Pattini, attracting devotees who seek blessings for health, fertility, and prosperity.
Hidden deep within the paddy fields of Kalundewa, Galkaruyaya’s ancient stone pillars rise silently from the forest floor—remnants of a forgotten past. Just a kilometer off the Dambulla road, this mysterious site remains untouched and largely unknown, waiting to reveal its long-lost history.
Thattu Ela in the Knuckles jungles is one of the many waterfalls that you would come across on the hike to the Doowili Ella. Its small waterfall cascades over a number of lock ledges, earning it the name Thattu Ella.
The Knuckles Range is believed to shelter around sixty waterfalls, most of them concealed within dense jungle and only a handful ever fully explored. One of the streams here gives rise to the famous Knuckles Doowili Ella, tumbling through a chain of cascades before merging with the Naran Aththa Oya at Demodara. Along this course lies Sansun Ella, situated about 300 meters below Doowili Ella.
The mystical Doowili Ella of Knuckles tumbles in two dramatic segments deep inside the jungle. At the base of the first segment lies a hidden wonder: a small cave tucked behind the curtain of water. This natural shelter, large enough to hold about ten people, offers visitors a rare chance to stand behind the waterfall itself. Nearby, a much larger cave sits by the side of the fall, which hikers often use as a campsite during treks.
Sembuwatta is a serene man-made lake nestled within an estate of Elkaduwa Plantations in Kandy. Fed by natural springs, the lake was originally built in the mid-20th century to generate hydroelectric power for the estate’s tea factory.
The Ambokka ambalama is said to be about 300 years old. This well-preserved ambalama is small and square-shaped, constructed from stone. Four polished stone pillars are placed vertically on a small base, supporting the roof. Four more horizontal pillars are placed between the vertical ones, creating ledges for travelers to sit on.
The ruins lie on land that had once been used for chena cultivation. Among the remains, we observed hundreds of stone pillars, each about 3 to 3.5 feet tall; several massive stone beams roughly 15 feet in length; a partial relic chamber of a stupa, indicating the structure’s former presence; a fragment believed to be from a medicinal trough.
The Archaeological Ruins are found on the rocky hill identified as Kumbukandana (Kumbukkandana) rock in Aliwanguwa GS division in Wilgamuwa Divisional Secretaries Division which extends over about 300m. from north to south, about 200 m. from east to west, and is about 60 m. in height. The site consists of three sections.
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.
