Introduction
Sri Lanka is an island nation located to the south of the Indian sub-continent. It is rich in biodiversity due to its varying climates resulting a diverse flora and fauna. Sri Lanka also has a rich cultural heritage due to the patronage by its monarchy of Buddhist Monastic architecture .
Anuradhapura
The Sacred City of Anuradhapura was declared a World Heritage Site in 1982. The early beginnings of the nation of Sri Lanka is due to the migration of people from the Indian Sub-Continent. The initial settlements included nobility who establish settlements in the island and intermingled with the indigenous people who previously occupied the island. Anuradhapura grew as a seat of monarchy over several centuries. Due to the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka and its close links to the monarchy, Anuradhapura grew in significance as seat of Sri Lankan monarchy and as the cradle of Theravada Buddhism. As a result Anuradhapura has many cultural heritage monuments due to its role as a major capital and due to the dissemination of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Pollonnaruwa
Sri Lanka’s monarchy reached its zenith under several rulers who chose to situate their seat of power in the City of Pollonnaruwa. During the Pollonnaruwa period significant irrigation tanks, monastic and monarchic monuments were built. The remaining elements of these monuments form the cultural heritage site of Pollonnaruwa which was declared a world heritage site in 1982.
Sigiriya
Sigiriya was the rock fortress which made into a palace by the King Kashyapa. The Site was declared a world heritage site in 1982. The site is renowned for its fresco artworks and its water garden networks.
Dambulla
The Golden Temple of Dambulla was declared a world heritage site in 1991. The heritage site consist of a Buddhist temple complex built through a series of caves located on a granite hill.
Kandy
The Citadel of Kandy was the last seat of monarchy of Sri Lanka before the country was completely colonised by Britain. The Palace complex was declared a world heritage site in 1988. The palace is an exemplar of a variety of stylistic expressions in architecture and fresco art which can be seen within the palace. The monarchy of Sri Lanka has been traditional custodians of Theravada Buddhism. The significance of the site is further enhanced by the fact that the palace is also the final resting place of the sacred tooth relic of Buddha.
Galle
The Galle Fort complex was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988. The city of Galle has been an important trading post due to the existence of a natural harbour. During successive colonisation of the coastal areas of Sri Lanka by the Portuguese and the Dutch, the harbour of Galle was a key enabler for transporting spices and other goods back to Europe. The Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications are a well preserved remnant of European colonisation and its influences on melding local traditions and European influences of architecture and urban planning on the island nation.
Singharaja Forest Reserve
The Singharaja Forest Reserve was declared a world heritage site in 1988. Classified as a lowland rain forest, the national park is renowned for its high proportion of Sri Lanka’s endemic flora and fauna species of which approx. 60-70% are found only within the forest reserve.
Central Highlands
The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka area was declared a World Heritage Site in 2010. The heritage site consists of several key area which include Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Horton Plains National Park and Knuckles Mountain Range. The site is home to several endemic flora and fauna types and is the fountain head of the major river systems of Sri Lanka, which can be appreciated by the abundance of water fall features prevalent in the area. It is also noteworthy that; although UNESCO recognised significance of the site for its Natural Values, Adam’s Peak which is part of the heritage site holds cultural significance to several communal groups within Sri Lanka.
