There is no island in the world., Great Britain itself not excepted., that has attracted the attention of authors in so many distant ages and so many different countries as Ceylon. There is no nation in ancient or modern times possessed of a language and literature, the writers of which have not at some time made it their theme. Its aspect, its religion, its antiquities, and productions, have been described as well by the classic Greeks, as by those of the Lower Empire; by the Romans; by the writers of China, Burmah, India, and Kashmir; by the geographers of Arabia and Persia; by the medieval voyagers of Italy and France; by the annalists of Portugal and Spain; by the merchant adventurers of Holland, and by the travellers and topographers of Great Britain. ………..

Copied by  reference of Ceylon – an account of the Island physical, historical and topographical (1859)

by James E. Tennent

 Ancient Reservoirs and Irrigation Systems of Sri Lanka 

Irrigation systems of ancient Sri Lanka consist of a large number of village reservoirs to gigantic reservoirs.

In Sri Lanka, there are over 30,000 reservoirs, the majority of which date from the third century BC to the 12th century.

In the third century BC, Abaya Wewa was the first large reservoir to be constructed in recorded history. Since that time, Sri Lankan tank builders have developed a remarkable skill for managing big bodies of water, enabling them to construct enormous reservoirs that no other civilization could have imagined.

As stated in H. Parker;s book "Ancient Ceylon.", an irrigation engineer who was in charge of rebuilding several historic irrigation reservoirs in the late 1800s, Europeans didn't begin using the valve pits in their reservoirs until the middle of the 18th century.

but  Sri Lankan irrigation experts  inventioned the "Biso Kotuwa" valve pit, which could easily control the outflow of very big water bodies, in the third century BC that inspired Sri Lankan irrigation experts to construct such enormous reservoirs.

The incredible instrumentation precision of the old irrigation systems is another advancement. 

The ancient irrigation engineers first discovered that the Kala Wewa in Pollonaruwa was created on a little raised ground compared to Tissa Wewa in Anuradhapura when king Dathusena (459-477 AD) built Yodha Ela, also known as Jayaganga. Then, in order to transport extra water from the Kala Wewa to the Tissa Wewa, he constructed the 54-mile (87-kilometer) Yoda Ela, which has a gradient of 6–12 inches per mile (about 10–20 cm per kilometer).

Experts are still perplexed as to how these engineers were able to reach such precision.

 Aukana statue - The tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka

The Avukana statue is considered to be one of the best examples of a standing statue of the Buddha from ancient Sri Lanka and  is situated in a village named Avukana, close to the Kala Wewa reservoir in Anuradhapura District. Aukana Buddha Statue in Sri Lanka that rise to a height of 11.36 meters, is the tallest ancient Buddha statue in Sri Lanka.

According to legend, this magnificent standing Aukana Buddha was sculpted during the reign of Dhatusena in the 5th century, though some sources date it to the 12th or 13th century. 

The artist of this magnificent work of art is still unknown.

A unique feature is that the statue has been carved out of a great granite rock face and appears to stand alone, but is in fact connected by a narrow strip of rock which also supports the statue. The Buddha image stands on a Lotus flower pedestal which has been carved separately and placed under the statue.

The robe is worn tightly, clearly outlining the shape of the body, and its pleats are carved clearly and delicately. 

Aukana Buddha Statue is in { Asisa Mudra } the “posture of blessing” .

Aukana Buddha Statue is carved alone in the proportion of nine faces: the body height is nine times the length of the face. The proportion of nine faces is the iconometry followed by the sculptors in the eighth century AC of Sri Lanka.

Independence memorial hall

Independence Square or The Independence Memorial Hall was built for commemoration of the independence of Sri Lanka from British rule.  The hall was built at the location where the formal ceremony marked the start of self-rule, with the opening of the first parliament by the HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurring at a special podium on February 4, 1948.

 

Adam’s peak

The mountain of Sri Pada is one of the rare places that people of four major religions in the world worship. The mountain is situated in the Rathnapura district with a height of 7,360 feet (2,243 meters).

Sri Pada is the second highest mountain in Sri Lanka, and its symmetrical shape and the prominence with which it rises out of the Central Mountain massif has inspired awe for centuries.

 Kandy

The true religious and cultural heart of Sri Lanka, Kandy is the 2nd largest city & was the last stronghold of the ancient Sinhala Kings against the British Empire. . It is also the site of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the sacred tooth of the Buddha)

The geographical location of Kandy was  a natural defense strategy. 

City was built in a valley surrounded by three mountain ranges and encircled by the Mahaveli river.

The name Kandy was given to the city of Kanda Uda Rata by the British. Its present day Sri Lankan name is Maha Nuwara while the historical name is Senkadagalapura.

National Anthem  of Sri Lanka

After independence was granted to Sri Lanka in 1948, the need for a national anthem arose. As a result of a contest, Ananda Samarkone’s contribution, written in Sinhalese, was chosen as the new anthem. The Tamil lyrics have the same meaning as the Sinhalese lyrics. It was first performed on the fourth anniversary of 

 

Anuradhapura

One of the greatest and oldest civilizations in the world. the first capital, ruled by 113 kings for over 1000 years and is famous for its Dagobas (Temples), Reservoirs, and beautifully landscaped gardens, the ruins of which still remain to this day. There are many examples of town planning, irrigation and many large constructions that rival the Egyptian pyramids.  The most significant are the great Stupas which are dome shaped buildings over a hundred meters tall.  An ongoing archaeological site and a living pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from around the world.

 Polonnaruwa

The Medieval Capital of 10th Century. Polonnaruwa today remains among the best planned archaeological sites in the country. Due to its archeological prominence and the ancient technological superiority UNESCO declared Polonnaruwa as a World Heritage in 1982.

   Buduruwagala

1,000-year-old rock-cut Seven  Buddhist statues which belongs to the Mahayana school of thought dating back to the 10th century. The gigantic Buddha statue still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted. The central of the three figures to the Buddha’s right is thought to be the Buddhist mythological figure-the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.

 The Nine Arch Bridge 

The Art, Music and dances of Sri Lanka

 

Owing to its long, rich history, Sri Lanka endows exquisite arts evolving through the course of time which has refined its culture to be unique and precious heritage of the nation. Its pivotal position on the ancient Silk Route made Sri Lanka a crossroad of cultural and trade exchange of the West and the East. India and China's record has proved the cultural, political and trade exuberance of this island.

Art & Sculpture in Sri Lanka

Owing to its long, rich history, Sri Lanka endows exquisite arts evolving through the course of time which has refined its culture to be unique and precious heritage of the nation. Sri Lanka. Its pivotal position on the ancient Silk Route made Sri Lanka a crossroad of cultural and trade exchange of the West and the East. India and China's record ha proved the cultural, political and trade exuberance of this island.

From time immemorial Sri Lanka has had a sparkling reputation for highly treasured gems.

Sri Lanka became known as Ratna Deepa(The Island of Gems). Nature in her bounty has chosen the bosom of Sri Lanka to enshrine some of her rarest treasures.

Ruwanweliseya -  a monument built in 140 BC that embodies the cuture, heritage and supremacy of the strongest kingdom in Sri Lankan history

Ruwanweli Seya's Kotha

Sri Lanka rank as one of the world’s most important gem bearing nations.The story of Sri Lanka’s gems is as old as civilization itself.Legends, myths and the occult have been associated with the long history of the island’s precious stones.Gems are deeply embedded in the traditional beliefs and the religious life of the majority of Sri Lankans. Priceless gems are among the treasures kept in the relic chambers of the great Buddhist stupas in the island.

World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka

Eight sites of Sri Lanka have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage, namely, the ancient city of Polonnaruwa (1982), the ancient city of Sigiriya (1982), the Golden Temple of Dambulla (1991), the old town of Galle and its fortifications (1988), the sacred city of Anuradhapura (1982), the sacred city of Kandy (1988), Sinharaja Forest Reserve (1988) and the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (2010).

Small Miracle - Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has eight UNESCO sites, nearly 1,000 miles of coastline, and dozens of flora and fauna species that are indigenous to the country.

Probably the Biggest Procession in Asia

- KANDY ASALA PERAHARA

Kandy Perahara or Procession is held to honor the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha enshrined in the Temple of Toosh Relic, and also as a blessing to the gods to give sufficient rain to the farmers for their next crops. This ritual is performed by carrying the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha through the city streets. It starts on the full moon Piya Day in late July or early August and is held over 10 days in the hill country of Kandy. The procession is the most colorful and grand festival in south Asia. It has become a unique symbol of Sri Lanka held every year. It is a Buddhist festival. 

Architecture in Sri Lanka

Architecture in Sri Lanka is closely based on religious beliefs like most other forms of Sri Lankan arts. Traditionally, Indian, East Asian as well as European and Asian styles architecture have been the most significant forms of foreign influence  on Sri Lankan architecture. And undoubtedly, Buddhism has had a significant influence on Sri Lankan architecture.

Buddhist architecture in Sri Lanka ranges from cave temples, stupas, meditation houses, skyscrapers, palaces, pools, public halls and houses.