Galle

Galle - The walled city

The seaside town of Galle is 116 Km., from Colombo by road or rail, down the southwest coast. Both routes are picturesque, following the coastline closely for much of the way.
Today's town has grown greatly and spreads into the hinterland but the Fort is the slow-beating heart of Galle's history.

The walled city has stood since the early sixteenth century, through the Colonial periods of the Portuguese, Dutch and British and in our present times is proclaimed as an Archaeological Reserve and been identified as a World Heritage site.

The Portuguese

The Portuguese took Galle from the Sinhala kings in 1587 and erected the first fortifications, a single wall fronted by a moat which extended from the sea to the harbour.

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The Dutch

The Dutch landed in 1640 with 12 ships and 2,000 men under the command of Wilhelm Jacobsz Coster who defeated the Portuguese after severe fighting and a four-day siege. Akersloot Bastion is named after the birthplace of Coster, the Dutch commander who captured Galle.

The Dutch later converted the Portuguese fortaleza into a single bastion which they named Zwart Bastion and built a formidable line of defence, ringing the walled town by ten bastions, which endure to this day.

Through the rolling streams of time and change, Galle still retains as few other towns in Sri Lanka; an atmosphere of the past. The town was graced with considerable civic amenities and military features. 
Despite recent face-lifts and new facades to many of the houses and the introduction of modern civic amenities like electricity, telephone systems, water and drainage services, the streets remain narrow and many are known by their original names such as Leyn-Baan street, Zeeberg street and Moderabaay street. A peep into the old houses reveal them to be spacious and airy, with large, ornamental doors and windows, pillared verandahs and cool inner courtyards and gardens.

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Dambulla The Golden Rock Temple

Rajamaha Temple of Rangiri Dambulla (Golden Rock Temple) Located north of Kandy and considered by most to be the centre point of Sri Lanka. Dambulla is a town built around a vast isolated rock mass and a World Heritage City, declared by UNESCO.

The name Dambulla derives from Damba - Rock and Ulla - fountain. One sees the incessant drip of water from the fountain within the main image house.
This complex of caves at Dambulla is one of the most impressive Buddhist Temples in the world. It was here that King Vattagamini Abhaya (Valagamba) took refuge in the 1st century BCE. He later turned the caves into a rock temple. Later kings made further improvements, including King Nissanka Malla who had the temple interior gilded, earning it the name of Ran Giri - Golden Rock.

Dambulla Viharaya contains an abundance of valuable material from the very earliest times till the late eighteenth century, and shows the evolution of the Singhalese Buddhist art. Such vast material in one place, combined with a long history, is a rare find anywhere.
The temples contain 153 Buddha images, 3 images of kings and 4 images of gods and goddesses. There are also 4 main monasteries and it was within this complex that the monks began the militant nationalist movement against the British in 1848.

Dambulla Caves

These 80 or more caves tell of the inhabitants dating back to the 3rd Century BCE. Five main caves hold the holy Buddhist shrines. The stupa was built in the 5th century AD and the caves contain precious paintings and innumerable Buddha sculptures. Among the paintings, two of the most magnificent depict the temptation of the Buddha by the demon Mara and the First Sermon of the Buddha.

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Colombo City

Colombo, Sri Lanka's largest city is very colourful, vibrant and the largest city as well as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. An interesting mix of modern life and colonial ruins, Colombo is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

North of the centre is the Fort district, the country's business centre. South is Galle Face Green, a seafront expanse of occasional green. East of the fort is the pungent Pettah bazaar district. The city is home to over 600,000 people.

Colombo has some interesting places that are a must for every visitor including the National Museum, the Art Gallery and the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara - a temple to Buddha.

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Bolgoda Lake

Bolgoda Lake is the largest and the most scenic natural lake in Sri Lanka. Extending to an area from Piliyandala to Anguruwatota, this enormous fresh water lake covers an area of 374 square kilometres. The depth of the lake varies at different places between 20 and 50 feet.

At the time of colonial rule and maninly during the Dutch era,  the Bolgoda Lake was used as an excellent waterway that helped transport people and goods. It was very helpful in transporting timber from the Sinharaja Forest to the large amount of timber mills located in the Moratuwa area. During British rule the lake was mostly used as a leisure spot that included activities like bird watching and hunting.

The stunning Bolgoda Lake is rich in bio diversity, where it boasts of 45 different types of fish, 40 types of reptiles, 15 kinds of amphibia and 31 types of mammals.  The birds that exist in the surrounding area of the lake also add to its bio diversity and unique natural beauty. 

The Bolgoda Lake, which resides in the south-west regions of the island and can be found on the borders of Greater Colombo, this wonderful destination is one of the key tourism sites in the area. As a key source for freshwater in the western parts of Sri Lanka, the lake is largely undertake for irrigation facilities production of fish and at times water is used for industrial processes.

With rehabilitation and conservation steps taken by the government and other environmental organisation, the future of Bolgoda Lake is rest assured. With the introduction of organic farming methods, mangrove restoration means, instigation of an environment education and whole lot more, the lake is sure to flourish in the future. Be awed by the various creatures and foliage of the lake, as well as partake in the many adventures on offer, which include water sports and boat rides available. As a natural treasure to the country, Bolgoda Lake is wonderland of exotic beauty and is the place for a day of leisure.

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Beruwala

Beruwela is located 55 km south of Colombo or 92km south of CMB Colombo Bandranayake Int'l airport at Katunayake, Negombo. Beruwela is the very first main beach resort in the south western coastal belt that tourists visit when they travel past the beaches of Kalutara and Wadduwa located south of Colombo. 15km south of Kalutara is Beruwela. Immediately to the south of Beruwela is the fishing village of Aluthgama. Next to the village of Aluthgama, over the Bentotabridge is Sri Lanka's most famous beach resort: Bentota Beach.

Beruwela Town

Both the railway station and bus station are in the city center of Beruwela. The stretch of Beruwela resort and guest houses begins 2km south of the town. 

Beruwela Beach

Beruwela's broad and attractive beach called "Golden Mile" is a pristine beach of golden sand well sheltered by the palm groves that spread along the coastal stretch. The wide beach that basks in the glorious tropical sun from the direction of the ocean is well shaded with the lush greenery of the landside. Beruwela has excellent water sport facilities such as water scooter rides, wind surfing. para-sailing, water skiing. While the bay beach is safe for swimming in any month throughout the year, it also affords opportunity for Deep-sea Fishing and Wreck & Coral Reef Diving.

Beruwela Fishing Harbour

A walk around the Beruwela fishing port in the early morning affords the sight of fishermen offload the morning's catch from brightly colored outrigger canoes and fishing boats that has returned from night fishing in the deep sea and now lined up. The lively fish market trade fresh seafood from one end to the other. And among the catch of fish are prawns and lobsters.Beruwela fishing port is a traditional fish market: it is bloody and smelly. Along the jetty are piles of dry fish. 

Beruwala Lighthouse

The well maintained, functional International lighthouse of Beruwela is located off the beach of Beruwela at the picturesque Barberyn island enrobed in lush greenery. The island is accessible by a ten minute’s boat ride. A climb to the lighthouse that stands on a cliff 20 feet above the sea level affords stunning ariel views of the Beruwela beach and the surroundings. 

China Fort

China Fort is the gem trading fair of Beruwela. The gem trading is dominated by the Sri Lanka Muslims, who constitute 7% of the population of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Muslims are descendents of Moors. Almost the entire neighborhood of China Fort has been engaged in the gem trade for generations. Much of the gem world’s colored precious stones are traded through these merchants. The Sri Lankan Musilms trace their gem trade back to the era when the Berber’s from North Africa’s Barbary States-Algeria, Libiya, Morocco and Tunisia, dominated the seas from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. Berber merchant ships called at Beruwela, perhaps named after the Berbers-Moors. The harbour where the vessels of the Moors were anchored is believed have become to be known as Berberyn Harbour on a later date.

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Benthota

Bentota is located 64km south of Colombo in the South-western coastal belt of Sri Lanka. CMB Colombo Banadaranayake Airport at Katuanyake, Negombo being 37km north of the heart of city of Colombo, Bentota is 101km south of the airport. 

Bentota town

Just across the Bentota Bridge over the River Bentara also called River Bentota Ganga is the coastal town of Bentota. Bentota is a very pretty rural area: the greenery of the landscape is especially striking. Most of the areas are well shaded and sheltered by tall trees with the coconut palm tress dominating the landscape.

Importance of Bentota

Bentota is the prime beach resort of the south-western and southern coastal belts of Sri Lanka. South of the city of Colombo, the city of Kalutara with its fine beach is the gateway to south western and southern bay beaches. Kalutara is the next popular beach. The Beruwala Bay Beach that is just before reaching Aluthgama at the Bentota Bridge and Bentota Bay Beach just over the bridge are the most popular twin beaches in the coast. The coast to the further south and onwards to the Deep South too is replete with lovely topical beaches. 

However, Bentota Bay Beach, being encompassed in Bentota National Holiday Resort Complex that features a fully-fledged support and serve infrastructure, is the most popular beach resort of Sri Lanka. With an array of luxury hotels, facilities and amenities for the foreign tourists, Bentota provides the perfect location for extended holidays at the beach. Furthermore, for the lovers of water sports, Bentota, in addition to its pristine palm fringed beach, brings in still more pleasures nowhere else to be found, by virtue of River Bentota Ganga and Bentota lagoon. 

Calm seas during the season from November to April make Bentota Beach ideal for snorkeling, diving, sailing, wind surfing, water-skiing, and deep-sea fishing on a traditional outrigger canoe. Bentota enriched with safe swimming conditions in the season combined with fun water sport and exciting excursions that set up an ideal background for a relaxed holiday in Sri Lanka, is an attraction for the families. The accommodation options at Bentota ranges from 5 star luxury to midrange and budget.

Bentota River, Bentota Lagoon and River Bentara

River Bentara, the legendary river at Bentota flows into the Indian Ocean forming a lagoon at the last section of the river. River Bentara and lagoon set up the widest array of water sports among all the beach resorts of Sri Lanka: Jet-ski, windsurf, parasail or enjoy a romantic river safari.

Bentota Bay Beach

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Bentota Bay Beach resort that lies sandwiched between the turquoise waters of the sea and the lagoon is endowed with a stunning landscape of greenery and exceptional recreational facilities. Bentota is the most popular location for romantic weddings; it witnesses hundreds of weddings of locals as well as the foreigners year in, year out. Bentota is also an attraction of honeymooning couples, once again to Sri Lankans as well as to the foreigners. At the northern end of the beach, is the long and narrow estuary called "Paradise Island". At the southern end is the pristine palm fringed broad beach.

Sri Lanka's most popular beach affords all the opportunities to the water sport enthusiasts to enjoy with swimming, body-surfing, diving and a range of water sports at the river and lagoon as well as on the Bentota Beach.

Batticaloa

                             

WHY BATTICALOA?

Batticaloa is the capital city of Sri Lanka's Eastern Province. It is a flat coastal plain bordered by the Indian Ocean and made up of several lagoons, the largest of which is the Batticaloa lagoon which is 56 kilometres long and 162 square kilometres in total area..

HISTORY

The city's history dates back to the 1st century BC because artefacts of the Chakra and Ruhunu kingdoms may be found here in this ancient place. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to build a fort in Batticaloa in 1602. This fort was taken by the Dutch in 1638. Many archaeological sites dating to pre Christian times have been found in this region. The earliest settlers of this region were from India. Constant invasions from rulers of various parts of India saw changes of the civilian population but the people were predominantly of Indian origin; and generally from South India. Obviously ancestors of the Tamils that are now the most populous of the races of people that inhabit Batticaloa. Sinhalese kings also invaded and drove off the Indian occupiers during the tumultuous years pre European settlement, but the ordinary civilian stayed back to make Batticaloa and the surrounds their home.

DEMOGRAPHY

The demographic mosaic mainly Tamil ( about 70%), Sinhalese( 15%), Muslim(10%) and the rest is made up of Eurasians and Dutch Burghers, many of whom have married Sinhalese and Tamils and live in harmony in the multi-cultural society. At the last count under the 2010 census, nearly two million people resided in the Eastern Province from Trincomalee to Pottuvil and including Polonnaruwa:

Batticaloa 543,000 Ampara 644,000 Trincomalee 374,000 Polonnaruwa 410,000 www.geethudara.blogspot.com www.geethudara.blogspot.com