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Places to Visit in Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka, Asia

Places to Visit in Gal Oya National Park, Sri Lanka, Asia

Gal Oya National Park is located at the coordinates 7°13′00″ N 81°22′00″ E, was established in the year 1954 and the nearest city to park is Ampara. Gal Oya National Park is the major catchment area for Sri Lanka’s biggest reservoir Senanayake Samudraya.

Gal Oya National Park houses a big group of Sri Lankan Elephants and significant ayurvedic plants like Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica and Emblica officinalis. Gal Oya National Park is administrated by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. Between 1954 and 1965, it was under the maintenance of Gal Oya Development Board. The summits of the park include Danigala, Nilgala, and Ulpotha.

 

Geography of Gal Oya National Park:

Gal Oya National Park is spread over an area of 25,900 hectares and covers the areas of Uva and Eastern provinces. It is located about 195 kms away from Kandy City and about 338 kms from Colombo City, the capital of Sri Lanka.

 

Flora of Gal Oya National Park:

Gal Oya National Park is home to rare species of medicinal plants like Pterocarpus marsupium, Careya arborea, Cassia fistula and the park also houses Longan, Mangifera zeylanica, Diospyros, Mallotus repandus and Berrya cordifolia.

 

Fauna of Gal Oya National Park:

Gal Oya National Park houses around 32 terrestrial mammals and the famous animals found in the park are Sri Lankan Axis Deer, Muntjac, Water Buffalo, Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, Sri Lanka Leopard, Toque Monkey, Wild Boar and Sri Lankan Elephant.

The park houses more than 150 species of birds and the most important birds in the park include Lesser Adjutant, Spot-billed Pelican and Red-faced Malkoha, Indian Cormorant, Oriental Darter, Grey Heron, Lesser Whistling Duck and White-bellied Sea Eagle.

 

Connectivity to Gal Oya National Park:

There are numerous buses and tourist vehicles plying near the Gal Oya National Park and one can board major cities buses at Ampara Town Bus Stand or Bibila Bus Stand.

The nearest railway stations accessible to Gal Oya National Park are Batticaloa Railway Station, Eravur Railway Station and Ella Railway Station.

Ampara Airport is the closest airport to park and is located about 8 kms away from Ampara town centre and another nearest airport is Batticaloa Airport.

Gal Oya National Park is also reachable through boat service. One can reach the park by boat by crossing the Senanayake Samudraya from Inginiyagala.

 

To eat, drink and buy at Gal Oya National Park:

There are few hotels and shops located near the park offer Sri Lankan traditional food, mineral water and variety of handicraft products. One can visit the hotels of Ampara Town located just few kms away from the park for better cuisine.

 

Other tourist attractions near Gal Oya National Park are:

  • Dighavapi Stupa
  • Henebedde Cave
  • Kumana National Park,
  • Muhudu Maha Viharaya
  • Lahugala Magul Maha Viharaya
  • Buddhangala Monastery

 

Best time to visit Gal Oya National Park:

From March to July is the ideal time to visit Gal Oya National Park.

 

Accommodation options near Gal Oya National Park:

There are few hotels located near Gal Oya National Park and for best hospitality services book the hotels at Ampara Town located in the vicinity of Gal Oya National Park. The hotels of Ampara have the facilities of air ticket booking, vehicle parking, hot water bath and fitness centre. The famous hotels and resorts near Gal Oya National Park are as follows:

  • Monty Hotel
  • Ariyawan Hotel
  • Terral Hotel
  • Raja Wewa Hotel
  • Bandarawela Hotel
  • Stardust Beach Hotel
  • Wijethunga Hotel
  • Hotel Sanasta
  • Ariyasena Hotel
  • Tri Star Beach Hotel
  • Danish Villa Hotel
  • Arugambay Surf Resort
  • Fantasy Hotel

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Dickwella, Sri Lanka, Asia

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Dickwella, Sri Lanka, Asia

Dickwella also called as Dikwella is a small town situated in Matara district in Southern province of Sri Lanka is placed about 22 kms from district main town Dickwella and about 183 kms southeast of national capital Colombo. Dickwella is famous for long sandy beach and tallest Buddha statue (50 meters) of Sri Lanka.

 

Geography of Dickwella:

Dickwella is placed between latitude 05°58′ in the north and longitude 080°41′ in the east.

 

Prime Landmarks of Dickwella:

  • Dickwella Market
  • Dickwella Beach

 

Dickwella Market is the major landmark of Dickwella located few kilometers away from Dickwella Beach. It was redeveloped after the 2004 Asian Tsunami. Dickwella Beach is the top tourist attraction of Dambulla.

 

Connectivity to Dickwella:

Dickwella has got good connectivity with its nearby regions because of its proximity with country’s one of the major City Galle. Buses of major cities like Colombo, Galle, Kandy and Dambulla are easily accessible at Dickwella Bus Station regularly and one can hire Auto Rickshaws and Jeeps to reach nearby regions and tourist spots.

The nearest railway station to Dickwella is Matara Railway Station located about 21 kms away. Walgama Railway Station (25 kms), and Polwathumodara Railway Station (33 kms) are other closest railway stations to Dickwella.

Dickwella is served by Mawella Lagoon Airport situated about 6 kms from the heart of the town.

 

Cuisine, Culture and Shopping in Dickwella:

Dickwella is well known for numerous Buddhist festivals celebrated during May, June & July. Caparisoned temple elephants, dancers and musicians cultural programs are the major attractions of the festivals. These festivals are usually celebrated on day time and few festivals are celebrated on night time also. Dickwella houses Sri Lanka’s tallest Buddhist statue stands at a height of 50 meters.

Dickwella is home to variety of vegetarian and non vegetarian hotels serving food with lot of love and care. The food of Dickwella is similar to South Indian dishes and the rice is common among the locals.

The popular food in Dickwella include Hopper, Pol Sambola, Kiribath Pittu, Roti, Lamprais, Koola’ya, Weli Thalapa, Bibikkan,Undu Walalu, Aluwa & Aggala. Also Dickwella houses all the types of shops.

 

Tourist Attractions in Dickwella:

Buddha Statue:

160 feet Buddha Statue is the major identity of Dickwella and is considered as the tallest Buddhist Statue in Sri Lanka. The rooms behind the statue include vibrant images depicting pictures of Buddha’s life history.

 

Dickwella Market:

Dickwella Market is famous market situated in the vicinity of Dickwella Beach. It was renovated after the 2004 Asian Tsunami. Saturday is the market day.

 

Dickwella Beach:

Dickwella Beach is the most important tourist destination of Dickwella attracts tourists from all over the province for its calm and cool environment. It is considered as one of the best weekend picnic spots in Matara District.

 

Other tourist attractions near Dickwella are:

  • Kalutara temple
  • Galle Fort
  • Peace Pagoda
  • Galle Fort Light House

 

Best time to visit Dickwella:

The months May, June & July are the ideal to visit Dickwella, where several Buddhist festivals are celebrated with lots of joy.

 

Accommodation Options in Dickwella:

Hotels that situated in Dickwella are known for their quality Sri Lankan and Western food. The list of best hotels and resorts in Dickwella and Galle City (about 50 kms) is as follows:

  • Mount House Hotel
  • Premlanka Hotel
  • Dickwella Beach Hotel
  • Dikwella Village Hotel
  • Villa Peacock
  • Hotel Maliyadda
  • Hotel Eva Lanka
  • Surya Garden Guesthouse
  • Hotel Panorama
  • Nuga Sewana Eden
  • Aditya Resort
  • The Lighthouse Hotel
  • Tamarind Hotel
  • Fort Inn Guest House
  • Khalid’s Guest House

Places to Visit in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, Asia

Places to Visit in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, Asia

Dambulla is a town located in Matale District in Central Province of Sri Lanka placed between 7°51′24″ N latitude 80°38′57″ E longitude. It is located about 148 km northeast of national capital Colombo and is the heart of vegetables circulation in Sri Lanka.

 

Major landmarks in Dambulla:

  • Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
  • Dambulla Cave Temple

 

History of Dambulla:

Dambulla was earlier called as Dhamballai was ruled by several famous kings namely Raja Raja Chola and Rajendra Chola. Dambulla Cave Temple is the very ancient historical temple of Dambulla.

 

Connectivity to Dambulla:

Dambulla is well connected with road and airway. One can board buses at Dambulla Town Bus Stand and other local bus terminals to reach Colombo and Kandy cities. Also several jeeps and tourist vehicles are accessible to tourist destinations and nearby regions of Dambulla.

The nearest railway station to Dambulla is Negama Railway Station in Anuradhapura located about 35 kms away from the town.

Dambula Oya Tank Airport is situated 2 kms away. Other nearest airports include Hingurakgoda Airport (58 kms), Anuradhapura Airport (63 kms) and Victoria Resevour Kandy Airport (69 kms).

 

Cuisine, Culture and Shopping in Dambulla:

Dambulla is a historical place well known for Dambulla Cave Temple and is visited by both Hindu and Buddhist religion people for its holiness. The people of Dambulla are the great lovers of traditional music and dance and annually there are numerous cultural programs and competitions arranged by the natives at major cultural centres and temples of the town.

The population covers higher majority of Buddhists people, followed by Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Cricket is the very famous sport in Dambula and the town houses Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

Food available at the hotels of Dambulla is really mouthwatering and the hotels serve customers with varieties of Western and Indian food along with traditional Sri Lankan dishes. Koola’ya, Pittu, Weli Thalapa, Bibikkan, Undu Walalu and Kokis are very popular eateries of Dambulla.

The shopping sector of Dambulla is very big and the city houses all the types of shops selling handicraft, jewelry, gadgets, clothes, shoes and hardware. One can purchase handicraft products at very low price at the shops located in the heart of the city.

 

Tourist Attractions in Dambulla:

 

Dambulla cave Temple:

Dambulla Cave Temple is the major attraction of Dambulla is located few kilometers away from the city.5 beautiful small caves are the prime attractions of the cave and these caves are designed with statues and paintings of Buddha. Dambulla cave Temple houses more than 153 Buddha statues, three Sri Lankan Kings statues and 2 statues of Ganesha and God Vishnu.

 

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium:

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium is the international cricket stadium constructed within 167 days.

 

Other tourist attractions near Dambulla include:

  • Dambulla The Golden Rock Temple
  • Kandalama Wewa Reservoir
  • The Temple of the Tooth
  • Royal Botanical Garden
  • Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage
  • New Ranweli Spice Garden
  • Bahirawakanda Temple
  • Udawattakele Royal Forest Sanctuary
  • The Tea Museum

 

Best time to visit Dambulla:

From June to September is the ideal time to visit Dambulla.

 

Accommodation Options in Dambulla:

The famous well facilitated hotels in Dambulla Town are listed below.

  • Kassapa Lions Rock
  • Amaya Lake Hotel
  • Heritance Kandalama Hotel
  • Brook Boutique Hotel & Spa
  • Thilanka Resort And Spa
  • Regalia Hotel
  • Hotel Suwahasa
  • Hotel Suwahasa
  • Chanara Kandalama Hotel
  • Jetwing Vil Uyana
  • Sigiriya Village
  • Nice Place Hotel

 

Colombo Tourist Places to Visit in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Asia

Colombo Tourist Places to Visit in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Asia

Colombo is the cultural, industrial and financial capital and the biggest city of Sri Lanka placed on the west coast of the country. It is also the administrative capital of Colombo District and Western Province of Sri Lanka. Colombo is placed 9 kms away from the political capital of Sri Lanka ‘Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte’.

 

The important landmarks in Colombo:

  • Galle Face Green
  • Viharamahadevi Park
  • Mount Lavinia Beach
  • National Museum

 

Geography and Climate of Colombo:

The city of Colombo is spread over an area of 37.31 sq. km. and placed between 6°56′04″ N latitude and 79°50′34″ E longitude.

 

Economy of Colombo:

Colombo houses the higher majority of Sri Lanka’s industries, entertainment centres and international hotels. It is home to the industries of textiles, glass, cement, leather goods, jewellery and chemicals. World Trade Centre is the major business complex of Colombo.

 

Etymology and history of Colombo:

There are several theories about the origin of the name Colombo. One theory states that, the name derives from Sinhalese word Kolon thota means “harbor on the river Kelani” and another theory claims that, the name derives from Sinhalese word Kola-amba-thota and its meaning is “port with leafy mango trees”.

Colombo was under the Portuguese, Dutch and the British and formed as a capital of Sri Lanka during the time of independence of the country in the year 1948.

 

Transportation in Colombo:

Colombo is served by Bandaranaike International Airport with international flights and Ratmalana Airport with domestic flights. Also Colombo has good connectivity with all the major cities of the country through road and railway mode.

Bastian Mawatha and Gunasinghapura Bus Terminal are the two primary bus stations of Colombo City. The Fort Railway Station is located 2 kms away from the centre of Colombo City. Colombo is connected through ferry service with Indian city Tuticorin in Tamilnadu.

Other than buses, Auto Rickshaws and Taxis are also playing a major role in the local transportation of Colombo.

 

Food, Culture and Shopping in Colombo:

Colombo houses the population of all the major religion people like Hindu, Buddhism, Muslim and Christian. Similar to country population, Buddhists are higher in majority in Colombo. Colombo Fort, Colombo Dutch Museum, Sir Ernest’s ‘Sirimathipaya’ Mansion and The Murugan Hindu Temple are the best examples for ancient Sri Lankan architecture. The locals of Colombo celebrate Buddha’s birth anniversary with great enthusiasm every year in the month of May. Eid Ul Fitr and Eid Ul Adha are the two Muslim festivals celebrated by the Muslim natives of Colombo. Christmas is also a big celebration in Colombo.

Colombo City is the shopping hub of the country and one can purchase variety of products ranging from daily usable to gadgets here.

The best shopping centres in Colombo are:

  • Crescat Boulevard
  • Barefoot Handicraft Store
  • Majestic City
  • The Pettah Market

The prominent food corners in Colombo include:

  • The Gallery Cafe
  • The Lagoon
  • Nihonbashi Main Restaurant
  • Chesa Swiss

 

Must see places in Colombo:

National Museum of Colombo:

National Museum of Colombo was constructed in the year 1877, displays throne of King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Kandy Kingdom.

 

The Natural History Museum:

The Natural History Museum is located in the centre of Colombo City and is open from 9AM to 5PM.

 

Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque:

Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque is the religious place and the popular tourist destination of Colombo situated in second Cross Street in Pettah.

 

The list of other tourist attractions in Colombo is as follows:

  • The Beira Lake
  • Town Hall
  • The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka
  • The World Trade Centre towers
  • Royal College Colombo
  • The Murugan Hindu temple
  • The Nelum Pokuna Theatre

 

Best time to visit Colombo:

Between December and March is the ideal time to visit Colombo.

 

Accommodation Options in Colombo:

The best resorts, home stays and hotels in Colombo City are as follows:

  • Kamvelta Holiday Resort
  • Parisare Homestay
  • Global Towers Hotel
  • Hotel Ranmuthu
  • Hotel Sansu
  • Galle Face Hotel
  • Garden Guest House
  • Palm Village Hotel
  • Hotel Renuka & Renuka City Hotel
  • Hotel Galadari
  • The Havelock Place Bungalow
  • Park Street Hotel
  • Casa Colombo
  • Ceylon Continental
  • Cinnamon Grand Colombo

 

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