Religious Tourism and Heritage Sri Lanka has a documented history, spread over 2500 years. Five centuries before Christ, Sri Lanka was a land throbbing with vitality and well-ordered civilization. Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Yapahuwa, and Kandy, are a few of the heritage sites. Six of Sri Lanka’s historical sites are declared as World heritage sites by the UNESCO.

• Anuradhapura: In 247 B.C. Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka by Arahat Mahinda, son of Buddhist Emperor Asoka of India. Sri Lanka, today is enriched with many religious places. Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka’s first capital founded during 4th century B.C. Religious places include Ruwanwelisaya, Jetawanaramaya, Abayagiriya, Sculptures – Isurumuniya lovers Sri Maha Bodhiya one of the oldest chronicled trees in the world.
• Polonnaruwa: The capital from 11-13 centuries A.D. blends South Indian Hindi culture with Sinhala artistry resembled in rock shrines such as Gal Viharaya, circular ruins such as Vatadage, lakes such as the” Parakkrama Samudraya”, gigantic Buddha statues and granite sculptures.
• Sigiriya: a world heritage site at the centre of the cultural triangle is a magnificent fortress, with swimming pools, fabulous landscaping, stunning frescoes and mirror walls, constructed in the 5th century A.D. by King Kashayapa, is considered the eight wonder of the world.
• Mihintale: 7 miles east of Anuradhapura, is regarded as the cradle of Buddhism.
• Kandy: The last capital of the Sinhala kings is a living record to a magnificent past. The main attraction is the Dalada Maligawa, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. Health Tourism Sri Lanka indigenous medicine harbours secret cures and home remedies for rest and relaxation and better living. Ayurvedha comes from a 3000 year old tradition of health and healing. Meditation, medicated massage, herbal saunas, lotus spa, steam baths, herbal therapy & diet, are available at Tourist Hotels. Festivals The festivals of the four main religions are celebrated in Sri Lanka. The Sri Pada pilgrimage, Thai Pongol, Duruthu Perahera (Kelani Raja Maha Vihara perahera), Navam perahera (Gangaramaya temple) Sinhala Tamil New year, Wesak, Poson, Kandy Esala perahera (Asia’s grandest traditional pageant parade for 10 nights to honour the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha), Bellanwila (Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara), Kataragama Festival, Vel, Munneswaram Udappuwa and Nallur Festival, Devinuwara (Dondra) Festival, Deepavali, Ramazan, Christmas, Madhu and Thalawila Festivals. Shopping, fun & entertainment Sri Lanka is a shopping destination. Designer clothes manufactured in Sri Lanka are available at reasonable prices in and around Colombo. Plenty of souvenir shops selling wood carvings, ceramic, handlooms, colourful batiks, gem stones – blue sapphires, rubies, alexandrite, amethyst, garnets are also available island wide.