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

 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.

 An art of living of old Ceylonese.- Stilt Fishermen

 – Ahangama

An age old fishing technique that is unique to Sri Lanka, it came into being just after World War II.

 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.

 Wood carving sri lanka 

According to “Mahawamsa” the prevailed arts and crafts were innovated with the arrival of Buddhist Nun “Sanghamitta” to Sri Lanka from India. The history records that crafts men belong to sixty different castes arrived to Sri Lanka along with her on her visit that brought the Sacred Bo- Tree to Anuradhapura.

 

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.

Handicrafts of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has an extensive variety of handicrafts which represent the richly craftsmanship tradition tracing back as long as the nation's existence.

wood carving was originally associated with architecture. Wooden pillars, roofs, doors, windows, door-bolts and even wooden bridges were all decorated with finely carvad desighns.

Modern artefacts are produced without prejudice to the traditional styles of carving. The creations of the present generation include many beautiful objects of art such as trays, wall plaques and figurines both secular and religion

Mask is a facial decorative wear used in Sri Lankan dancing. In early times, the masks were used in rituals, dramas, and curing sickness. It is believed that mask provide curative power for physiological problems. Most masks are made forma light wood called kaduru and craved into various characters.

Pottery is one of the oldest crafts in Sri Lanka and is still a daily utensil of a particular social group of 70% which retain using clay pot and fans for cooking. In addition to pots, the more intricate products likes terracotta figures, carved vases, etc are made as well for souvenirs.

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.

National Museum, Colombo

The largest Museum in Sri Lanka, established in 1877.

 

Housed in a fine colonial-era building on Albert Crescent, the National Museum is the first public Museum to be established in Sri Lanka (1877). It is the best known for its collection of ancient royal regalia, Sinhalese artwork (carvings, sculptures and so on), antique furniture, china, and Ola manuscripts.