One of the chief objects of interests in Kandy is the 'Dalada Maligawa' or Temple of the Sacred Tooth. This is the heart of Kandy, and the Tooth of Buddha is the heart of it. The relic came from India sixteen centuries ago, and moved from capital to capital always with the king. It is rarely shown and never leaves the temple. The temple and the 'Pattirippuwa', which is the octagonal building on the right of the main entrance, are enclosed by an ornamental stone wall and a moat. Upon entering, you pass through a small quadrangle and turn to the right, up a flight of stone steps, to the temple. The most striking features that attract one's attention are the unusual carvings, brightly coloured frescoes representing torments for various classes of sinners, and many images of Lord Buddha. The flower-sellers are ranged on either side and the atmosphere is heavy with the perfume of the white blossoms.
Polonnaruwa
After Nissankamalla's death, Polonnaruwa went to decline, civil war, lawlessness and constant invasions from the South Indian Chola Empire, and Malay barbarians who sacked the city several times, virtually destroyed the social structure and religious order of the country. A whole century after this were the 'Dark Ages' of Sri Lanka, a century from which few historical records survive.
The capital was shifted to Kurunegala, and Polonnaruwa returned to the jungle; it's great reservoirs survived as a series of swampy lakes, and its large brick buildings became lost under thick tropical forest. The Portuguese are said to have raided and looted Polonnaruwa, but by the early nineteenth century the site was completely lost.
Traditional Dances
Traditional Dances of Sri LankaDance was then initiated in Sri Lanka during the 4th century B.C for the purpose of expelling natural disasters, sickness and greet people and land. At the end of Polonnaruwa period (15th century A.D.), chola influence came into Sri Lanka and was adopted in Sri Lanka folk dancing. The classical dance forms are associated with the performance of various rituals and ceremonies which are centuries old and are based on the folk religion and folk beliefs going back to times before the advent and acceptance of Buddhism by the Sinhalese people in the third century B.C. These rituals and ceremonies reflect the values, beliefs and customs of an agricultural civilization of Sri Lanka.
Kuttam Pokuna
The Kuttam Pokuna, which means Twin Ponds, is a beautiful set of bathing ponds located in Abhayagiri, in northern Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. These ponds were built in 6th-8th century Anuradhapura. If you look at these two seemingly identical ponds of Kuttam Pokuna carefully, you would realise that one is larger than the other (by about 12 m in length). Nevertheless, the ponds of Kuttam Pokuna are positioned in such a way that they appear almost the same. Although the design and lines of the Kuttam Pokuna are simple, the effect is nothing less than impressive.The Kuttam Pokuna is one of the ancient sites that I visited together with a small group of members of AsiaExplorers when we explored the ancient city of Anuradhapura. I find that the Kuttam Pokuna is one of the loveliest ancient architectural wonder. Not only is it
The Sri Lanka Army is the oldest and largest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and is responsible for land-based military and humanitarian operations. Established as the Ceylon Army in 1949, it was renamed when Sri Lanka became an independent republic in 1972. As of the year 2000, the Army had approximately 150,000 regular and reserve personnel and 18,000 National Guardsmen[1][3] and comprises 13 operational divisions, one air-mobile brigade, one commando brigade, one special forces brigade, one independent armored brigade, three mechanized infantry brigades and over 40 infantry brigades.[4]. Since the 1980s the army has been engaged in the Sri Lankan civil war.
The Kuttam Pokuna, which means Twin Ponds, is a beautiful set of bathing ponds located in Abhayagiri, in northern Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. These ponds were built in 6th-8th century Anuradhapura. If you look at these two seemingly identical ponds of Kuttam Pokuna carefully, you would realise that one is larger than the other (by about 12 m in length). Nevertheless, the ponds of Kuttam Pokuna are positioned in such a way that they appear almost the same. Although the design and lines of the Kuttam Pokuna are simple, the effect is nothing less than impressive.The Kuttam Pokuna is one of the ancient sites that I visited together with a small group of members of AsiaExplorers when we explored the ancient city of Anuradhapura. I find that the Kuttam Pokuna is one of the loveliest ancient architectural wonder. Not only is it
Sri Lanka Cricket
Sri Lanka Cricket is driven by a single, all encompassing vision: to make Sri Lanka the best cricket playing nation in the world in both forms of the game. Great progress has been made since Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test against England in 1982, including a World Cup win in 1996, but the fulfillment of our ambition will require dynamic leadership and much hard work over the coming years. The achievement of excellence at the international level demands that Sri Lanka Cricket employs the best possible support staff and trainers for our players and offers them international standard training facilities.
Sri Lanka Cricket is driven by a single, all encompassing vision: to make Sri Lanka the best cricket playing nation in the world in both forms of the game. Great progress has been made since Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test against England in 1982, including a World Cup win in 1996, but the fulfillment of our ambition will require dynamic leadership and much hard work over the coming years. The achievement of excellence at the international level demands that Sri Lanka Cricket employs the best possible support staff and trainers for our players and offers them international standard training facilities.
The Sri Lanka Army is the oldest and largest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and is responsible for land-based military and humanitarian operations. Established as the Ceylon Army in 1949, it was renamed when Sri Lanka became an independent republic in 1972. As of the year 2000, the Army had approximately 150,000 regular and reserve personnel and 18,000 National Guardsmen[1][3] and comprises 13 operational divisions, one air-mobile brigade, one commando brigade, one special forces brigade, one independent armored brigade, three mechanized infantry brigades and over 40 infantry brigades.[4]. Since the 1980s the army has been engaged in the Sri Lankan civil war.
