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 NATURE :
Imagine you are in Sinharaja, a sizable stretch of lowland rain forest. Over half the trees you see around you are found nowhere else in the world. Of the 52 species found in Sri Lanka 21 are endemic. A Tree Nymph - a black and white butterfly - may sail over your head, or a Common Bridwing with wings of translucent yellow patches may flutter past. Both endemics, they are two of the 242 species of butterflies and skippers found in the island. In comparison, a British lepidopterist would be content to see 35 species in the US. A Philaurus species of Tree Frog might croak, although they are more active at night.
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The Royal Botanic Gardens – ( Peradeniya )
Located about 100km. to the East of Colombo at an elevation of 1550ft. on the main trunk route from Colombo to Kandy, at Peradeniya, the magnificent river-girdled 57- hectare Royal Botanic Gardens, laid out in 1832, are among the finest in the world. The gardens contain about 4000 varieties of tropical flora include fine collection of orchids, aromatic spices, medicinal herbs, palms and rare, endangered plant species.
Before the gardens were converted as Botanic Gardens, it was the Royal Pleasure Garden of one Kandyan king. During the World War II the gardens became the headquarters of the South East Asia Command under the late Lord Louis Mount batten Supreme Commander.
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Botanic Gardens - ( Hakgala )
Located 10km. away from Nuwara Eliya (hill resort) and under the shadow of the peak of Hakgala, in an elevation of 6000ft. above the sea level, possibly, the highest-set botanic gardens anywhere in the world. Established in 1861 in a land area of 22ha. , With one of the loveliest views in Sri Lanka. The gardens contain large number of temperate and subtropical plants brought from throughout the world.
According to the great Indian epic, the Ramayana, Hakkgala is linked with Sri Lanka’s pre-history. It says Rawana, the mighty demon-king of Sri Lanka, abducted Sitha, the beautiful consort of Rama, king of Ayodya in India, and hid somewhere here in the wilderness of Hakgala. |
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BOTANICAL GARDENS 
