Little Visited by Foreign Tourist, Buduruwagala Boasts Seven Colossal rock-cut figures that are said to date from 10th Century. Carved in Low Relief, the impressive sculptures belong Mahayana School of Buddhism, Which Enjoyed Royal Patronage between the 03rd & 10th Century AD.

In the Centre is a 16 M (52ft) high standing Buddha in the “abhaya mudra” Flanked on Either Side by a group of three sculptures. The Central of the Three Figures to the Buddha’s right is thought to Represent Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisathva of compassion in Mahayana Buddhism. He can be identified by the Image of Meditating Buddha on the crown he wears. The figure still bears orange paint around the head and white stucco on the Body; all the other sculptures may originally have been decorated in a similar fashion. The female figures to the right thought to be the Mahayana hoddess,Tara

Among the Group of Figures to the left of the Buddha, the one in center is believed to be Maitreya, the Fifth and Future Buddha. Sculpture to his left depicts the Tibetan Bodhisattva Vajirapani symbol, while the figure to right is thought to be Vishnu.

The turtles are one of the rare species found in the world. As far as turtles concerned, they are the top on the endangered list all around the world. There are all together seven turtle species have listed up to now, such as green turtle, hawks bill turtle, Oliver twist turtle, leather back turtle, kemp's ridly, and flat back. But five of these are presenting in srilanka coastal area.

Now a days so many turtle hatcheries are mushrooming along the southern coastal belt. They are doing a great favor to increase the capacity of this giants descending from Jurassic period.

The turtles get together in certain areas of the ocean annually to mate. After mating the female turtles come to the sea shore to lay their eggs. They are supposed to lay eggs after they attain the age of about 30 years. They are said to lay their eggs on the sea shore at night. It is said that these turtles prefer to lay their eggs on the same beach they were born. They are supposed to lay about 120 eggs at a time.

Their eggs are white and they are similar to Ping-Pong balls. The eggs are kept damp by the female turtle by emitting a juice to cover the eggs. After laying eggs these turtles go back to the ocean. They keep no connection with the eggs or their new born kids. The eggs are hatched with the help of the warm sand heated by the rays of the sun.

After a hatching of nearly 60 days these tiny ones are making their own way right direct to the deep blue sea. This time they may get the dangerous attractions from birds, crabs and fish. Few of them will survive for breed their posterity. Humans are the main threaten for them. To avoid these circumstances social services have started to protect them in hatcheries.

They buy eggs from villagers and they spend whole nights when the nesting season starts for turtles on the beach to find eggs. The baby turtles hatch after 48 days if they can get lots of sun shine where it is raining take up to 60 days before the turtles emerge from the eggs. They are then placed in the tanks and for first 3 days remain without food to cleanse them of material ingested form the eggshell.

Hatchery holders feed them with tiny fish two times each day. In this time they learning to dive down into the tank to take the food. After they can be safely released into the sea where they can fish for themselves on the coral reefs. Turtles are frequently injured at sea as many of them get caught in fishing nets. After three months of time they release them in to the sea.

Peraliya in Telwatta Hikkaduwa and Kosgoda area is famous for turtle hatcheries. All the five species are displaying in these places. They may charge a little amount for the maintenances of the turtles. Well, no need to think twice to look them on your necked eyes as really as in the deep blue sea.

Also Known as Dambara Hills, the knuckles Range was so named by British for its resemblance to the knuckles of a clenched fist. The range consists of five main peaks and several smallerones, the highest of which is over 1,800 m (6000 ft).

A USECO world heritage Conservation Area and a bio-diversity hotspot, the mountain range supports a wide range of flora & fauna. The vegetation varies from dry evergreen forest to wet grass land. These ecosystems support numerous animal species, such as deer, wild boar, langurs, and even slender Loris’s well as a rich Varity of birds.

The knuckles Range is also a popular trekking destination. It is possible to wander unaccompanied, but for longer walks it is advisable to hire a guide. The walk begins through the lowlands, which are dotted with small villages, before winding through montane forest and past waterfalls. There are excellent vistas from the many viewpoints or from any of the peaks.

The Calm waters of the Broad Bentota Ganga Lagoon are perfect for a gamut of thrilling activities year-round, making Bentota the de facto water sports capital of sri lanka.

The area Popular among visitors, who come to enjoy windsurfing, kitesurfing, waterskiing and banan-boats rides on the River.

In addition, angling enthusiasts can spend a rewarding day abroad fishing boat as a verity of game fish including marlin, barracuda and tuna thrive in the waters. Diving & Snorkeling are also popular activities along the coat and can be enjoyed from November through to April before the monsoon arrives.

Canoe Rock is among the most notable dive sites in Bentota, accessible to drivers of all levels. With Extensive colonies of beautiful coral and schools of brightly coloured fish, this is a very large site that the requires several dives to be explored fully.

Set in the Central highlands of Sri Lanka, Horton Plains is unlike any other place in Sri Lanka and is often compared to the Scottish highlands, for its windswept landscape and cool, Wet Climate. It is named after Sir Robert Wilmot-Horton, the British governor of Ceylon From 1831 – 1837. Formerly a wildlife sanctuary ,the area was declared a national park in 1988.At an elevation of over 2000 m(6,562 ft),the park is situated in the highest plateau in Sri Lanka,with it ‘terrain characterized by undulating grasslands interspersed with dense clouds forests, rocky outcrop and waterfalls. Home to a wide verity of wild life, Horton plains also boasts a large number of bird spies. However, the key attraction in the park is World’s End, a sheer precipice affording panoramic view across the Southern part of the Sri Lanka

Yala National Park is the 2nd largest national park in Sri Lanka.It is located about 300km away from colombo.There are 5blocks in this park but we can visit only 2 blocks as rest remains stricts nature reserves for animals.However yala is most visited park by tourists due to better chance of watching wild animals.                                                                                                                        You can see bit of every thing (wild life) in this beautiful national park.As I noted,This is bit touristy with many jeeps and tourists but  worth to visit .

What to see:                                                                                                                                                                                                            You can see endemic,resident and migrant birds,Elephants,Leopards,Sloth bears,wild bores,Deers, samber deers,snakes,crocdiles,water monitors,land monitors,mongoose,monkeys,jackals etc.

Birds:                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Sri Lanka has 234 breeding species and 33 of them are recognized as endemic birds.There are about 209 species have been recorded as migrant birds and 120 of them are regular visitors to the country. In Yala national park, you can see many birds species from November till may.

Elephants:                                                                                                                                                                                                              Yala national park  also popular for wild elephants but this is a large park so it will be difficult see them as large herds compare Udawalawe and Minneriya national parks.However still this is good spot to see wild elephants.

Leopards:
Leopards are the one of the main reasons for wild life loving  tourists who visit Sri Lanka.Leopards are one of  the amazing creatures of Sri Lankan wild life.They were recorded every where of the country but due to human activity and growing population ,it is  difficult for them to survive.                                                                                                                                             Leopards are the most amazing attractions for local and tourists who love wild life.so,Yala is the best location to spot leopards.wild life department has recorded about 35 leopards in the park which is highest density of leopards in Asia.

World heritage Horton Plains in Sri Lanka 

    Horton Plains is a beautiful, silent, strange world with some excellent hikes in the shadows of Sri Lanka’s second- and third-highest mountains, Kirigalpotta (2395m) and Totapola (2357m). The ‘plains’ form an undulating plateau over 2000m high, covered by wild grasslands and interspersed with patches of thick forest, rocky outcrops, filigree waterfalls and misty lakes. The surprising diversity of the landscape is matched by the wide variety of wildlife

 The forests are seen on the hilltops or upper slopes the grassland in the valleys and lower slopes, eventually giving way to wetland habitats. spanning approximately  10000 hectares the park also home to a wide variety of flora ( 57. species, 29 endemic to Sri Lanka) and 24 species of mammal such porcupine and leopard for bird enthusiasts, there 87. species 14 of which are endemic including many migratory birds. 

SIGIRIYA

              Sigiriya Rock Fortress of Sri Lanka is situated in Matale district near Dambulla. It can be reached along Colombo- Habarana highway by turning towards east from Inamaluwa. Proceeding about 10 km from Inamaluwa and passing Kimbissa township one arrives at Sigiriya.

Before Sigiriya became a Kingdom, Sigiriya Rock base and the places such as Pidurangala which were endowed with many caves and a temple had been dwelled by Buddhist monks from around 3rd Century BC. It is also found that these areas had been inhabitant by people prior to King Kassapa's rein. Many caves have Brahmi Inscriptions dating back from 3rd Century BC to 1st century AD.

Sigiriya are considered one of the most important urban planning sites of the first millennium, and the site plan is considered very elaborate and imaginative. The plan combined concepts of symmetry and asymmetry to intentionally interlock the man-made geometrical and natural forms of the surroundings. On the west side of the rock lies a park for the royals, laid out on a symmetrical plan; the park contains water-retaining structures, including sophisticated surface/subsurface hydraulic systems, some of which are working today. The south contains a man-made reservoir; these were extensively used from the previous capital of the dry zone of Sri Lanka. Five gates were placed at entrances. The more elaborate western gate is thought to have been reserved for the royals.[7][8]

The Gardens of the Sigiriya city are one of the most important aspects of the site, as it is among the oldest landscaped gardens in the world. The gardens are divided into three distinct but linked forms: water gardens, cave and boulder gardens, and terraced gardens.

Sigiriya is one of the most valuable historical monuments of Sri Lanka.

Referred by locals as the Eighth Wonder of the World this ancient palace and fortress complex has significant archaeological importance and attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is probably the most visited tourist destination of Sri Lanka.