PRINCPAL CITIES OF SRI LANKA

Customize tour packages for low rates, Accommadation in star class hotels to guest houses. Read more   Rathnapura - The "city of gems", is 101km (63 miles) from Colombo, right in the heart of the low country, Where rubber grows & gems are sometimes founds in paddy fields in the middle of nowhere. Read more   Booking forms and customer enquires for future requirements Read more	Colombo Sri Lanka’s commercial capital and seaport and until recently its capital, is a blend of old and new, east and west. A Modern city, it has many reminders of its colonial past, Bustling bazaars, Buddhist and Hindu temples, and mosques contrast with high-rises, smart modern shopping malls and multi-national chain hotels. Sightseeing  highlights include the Colombo National and Dutch period Museums, old and new Town hall buildings, Harbour, old and new Parliament Houses, Independent Square, Galle-face green, and the zoo. Apart from excellent shopping, Colombo offers visits to one of the world’s leading Tea auctions, an 18-hole Golf course, seasonal Buddhist and Hindu pageants, international Cricket tournaments, plush Casinos, enjoyable evening entertainment and excellent Restaurants. Rathnapura (City of Gems) is located 101km. South-East of Colombo in the Sabaragamuwa province. Rathnapura is situated in the southwestern foot of the Central hills, where the lower elevation of the hills are the sources of Sri Lanka’s beautiful and precious stones, Rubies, Sapphires, Alexandrites, Cat’s-eyes, Amethysts, Topaz, Garnets, Tourmalines and the mysterious Moonstones, to name few. The 400 carat blue sapphire called “Blue Belle” which adorns the British Crown is another priceless stone from Sri Lanka. Certainly most of the people of this province have connections with the gem trade, in its many facets…….either mining, cutting, polishing, making jewellery or selling gems and jewellery. Visits to gemming sites, museums, lapidaries and showrooms will fascinate visitors. Negombo Is a tourist resort with a palm-fringed golden sandy beach, picturesque fishing village with catamaran outrigger canoes and mangrove-hung lagoons, located 12km. away from the airport and is famous for its fish auction which is held every early morning except Sundays. This bustling city is the home to the largest catholic community in the island, which is a legacy of Portuguese who controlled the country’s coastal areas from 1505 to 1648. Galle The seaside town of Galle is 116km. from Colombo, down the South-West coast. Visitor would enjoy with picturesque scenery of, catamarans drown up long the beach, fishermen drawing fishing-nets, coconut palm toddy tapping following the coastline closely for much of the way. Today town has grown greatly and spreads into the hinterland, but the Dutch fortress is the slow-beating heart of Galle’s history. The walled city has stood since the early 16th century, through the colonial period of the Portuguese, Dutch and British and our present times is proclaimed as an Archaeological Reserve and been identified as a ‘World Heritage Site’. Matara This busy city is situated 160km. to the South of Colombo with a historic background. The Star Fort, which was build during the period of 1763 to 1765 in order to protect The Dutch East Trading Company’s administrative buildings. Dutch market and the Dutch Church, buggy bullock carts running on the roads, happen to be some attractions at Matara. Kandy The historic city of Kandy was the last Kingdom of Sri Lanka, located 116km from Colombo, withstood the onslaught of three invading European armies for over two centuries, until British captured it in 1815. It was an urban and royal center from 15th to the 19th century. Today the city contains the famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth-Relic of the Buddha, which was the palladium of royalty, the royal place complex, a picturesque lake, surrounded by forested hills, and one of the world’s earliest botanical gardens. The city is visually rich with its narrow streets lined with characteristic old buildings, colourful display of fruits, vegetables, textiles and clothing and crowded with people.     The Kandy Perahera (procession, one of the most spectacular festivals in the world), held annually in August (or late July), is a traditional ritual festival dating back to 5th century AD. The sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is taken in procession in a torchlight parade consisting of dancers, drummers, acrobats, musicians, dignitaries and caparisoned elephants. Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka’s premier hill-resort, is renown for its cool, invigorating climate (average temperature around 16°C ) and is picturesquely located on the shores of Lake Gregory 1890 m. above sea level, in a  prime tea-growing district. Set up and develop as an English village and health resort by 19th century British colonial settlers, its older buildings (such as the post office, Holy Trinity Church, The Grand Hotel, The Hill Club, vintage hotels and houses and the Golf Club) have old English architecture, pretty flower-gardens and great nostalgic charm. The Victoria Park is at its best from January to April, when it is blazed with “English Garden” flowers. Sri Lanka’s highest mountain Piduruthalagala (8282 feet) is located here. Nuwara Eliya also has one of the finest 18 holes Golf Course in south Asia. Trincomalee Is famous for its natural harbour and it is ranked as the world’s 5th largest natural harbours, During the 2nd world war the harbour became the base for the combined East Asian Fleet of the Allied powers. The Fort Federick, most famous landmark in the city, originally built by Portuguese and later enlarged by Dutch and British. The road, which runs through the fort leads to the summit of the Swamy rock on which highly venerated  Koneshwaram Hindu shrine is located. Nilaveli is the most famous and beautiful beaches on the East coast situated 12kms from  Trinomalee. Fish market and hot water springs at Kanniyai are some of the attractions in Trincomalee.