Man-Made Attractions of Ella
“What’s in a name” said the Bard in one of his acclaimed works of art. It is what we are known by to the various counterparts, and the island of Sri Lanka was known to the world of yesteryear by many a name, the name by British rule, Ceylon. This island, rich in tropics, abundant in beaches and frayed with nature and wildlife has been christened by various names over the centuries. Before the colonisation of the Portuguese, Dutch and last, the British, the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka was the setting of many noble kingdoms of the island’s proud heritage.
The cultural triangle of Sri Lanka is made up of the Kingdoms of Anuradhapura, Pollonaruwa and Kandy. The ancient kingdoms operated throughout various centuries, moving from one noble city to the next based on the kings that sat on the throne. However, it should be noted that though the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka uses the capitals of these kingdoms as a geographical marker, towns and cities that lie within the triangle also fall in the same category of cultural and historical value. These include the following cities and many a home to various world Heritage Sites deemed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization );
| City | Sights and Attractions | |
| Anuradhapura | : | The Ruins of Anuradhapura also known as the Atamasthana including The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, Ruwanwelisaya, Thuparamaya, Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Jetavanarama, and Mirisaveti Stupa
Other attractions include Isurumuniya, Magul Uyana, Vessagiri Rathna Prasadaya, Queen’s Palace, Dakkhina Stupa, Sela Cetiya Naka Vihara, Kiribath Vehera, Kuttam Pokuna, Samadhi Statue, Toluwila Statue, Ranmasu Uyana, moonstones and more |
| Sigiriya | : | The Sigiirya Lion Rock Fortress, the Sigiriya damsels frescoes, the water gardens,fountain garden, boulder gardens, Deraniyagala Cave, Cobra Hood Cave, Pidurangala Royal Cave Temple and more. |
| Mihintale | : | The ruins and religious relics of Mihitale |
| Habarana | : | Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks, the Habarana Lake, Ritigala |
| Kandy | : | Ruins of the Ancient Kingdom of Kandy, The Temple of the Tooth Relic, Aluvihara Monastery, Nalanda Temple, Kandy Spice Gardens, Wasgamuwa National Park |
| Kurunegala | : | The abandoned cities of Yapahuwa and Panduwas Nuwara
The forest monastery of Arankel The Kandyan-era temples at Padeniya and Ridi Vihara 1992 War Memorial and Clock Tower Kurunegala Tank Buddha Statue atop Elephant Rock |
| Dambulla | : | The Ancient City of Dambulla, Golden Rock Temple, and The Ibbankatuwa Prehistoric Burial Site and Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Namal Uyana Conservation Forest, Aukana and Sasseruwa Buddha Statue, include some of the attractions. |
| Polonnaruwa | : | Ruins of the Ancient Kingdom of Pollonawaruwa, relics on the Quadrangle including the likes of monasteries of Menik Vihara, Rankot Vihara, Alahana Pirivena, Jetavana, Gal Vihara, Lankathilaka. The Parakrama Samudra (Reservoir) and the Pollonaruwa Museums are must visits. |
Map of Anuradhapura’s Abhayagiriya Monastery
If you are interested in the names of Sri Lanka from yesteryear, we are sharing them below by those who named.
Tamraparni / Simhaladvīpah – Sankrist
Tambaparni – Pali
Serendivis – Romans
Serendib – Arabs
Serendip – Persian
Taprobana / Sielen Diva – Greek
Seelan – Latin
Traprobana/ Ceilão – Portugese
Ceilán – Spanish
Selon /Ceylan – French
Zeilan / Ceilan / Seylon – Dutch
Ceylon – British
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