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HISTORY OF SRI LANKA.
Recorded
history of Sri Lanka begins with the arrival of Vijaya, an
exiled prince of India. Who with 700 followers made landfall
at Thambapani, now known as Mannar in
543 B.C.
Vijaya made Thambapani his capital and ruled
there for 38 years. He was succeeded by his nephew who made
Anuradhapura his capital. Historic city of Anuradhapura
remained the centre of sinhalese kingdom for well over 1000
years.
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in 307 B.C. by Arahat
Mahinda, the son of emperor Asoka of India during the reign
of king Devanampiyathissa.
This is the most important event in Sri Lankan history as it
set the country on the path of cultural greatness.
This
beautiful island was ruled by Portuguese, Dutch and the
British. Portuguese were the first to arrive in 1505 and
British the last. Finally the country gained independence in
1948. Sri Lanka became a sovereign republic in 1972, with
membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and the United
Nations Organization. The country has enjoyed a democratic
multi party system ever since.
HERITAGES OF GLORY
The
civilization of Sri Lanka spans
more than
twenty centuries the
masterpieces of architecture, sculpture
and arts
recorded in the historic cities
and
citadels bears testimony for it.
Significantly this beautiful Island
contains
as many as six cultural
UNESCO
WORLD HERITAGE SITES.
Many of
these are located in the area
called the
cultural triangle.
Two of the
dome shaped buddhist
relic
shrines of Anuradhapura are
classed
after Egypt’s great pyramids
as the
world’s most massive ancient
monuments.
the 2200-year-old sacred
BO tree is
the oldest tree in the world.
Rock
temple of Dambulla, SCULPTURES,
SHRINES
AND MONASTRIES OF
POLONNARUWA ARE IMPRESSIVE
SITES AND
BOUND TO ATTRACT
EVERY
VISITOR.The stunning 5th
century
rock fortress, Sigiriya, is
the eighth
wonder of the world.
Kandy, the
picturesque hill
capital,
set amid mountain
ranges,
lake, river and royal
Botanical
Garden is a sanctuary
of arts,
crafts and culture.
the golden roofed Dalada Maligawa,
the shrine
of the sacred tooth relic of
lord
Buddha is the main attraction of the
city.Esala
perahara, the annual pageant
is a
glittering spectacle paraded on the
streets of
kandy with traditional dancers,
drummers,acrobats and costumed
elephants,
is one of the most
magnificiant in Asia.
The
southern port city, Galle,
apart from
it’s natural harbour
and
beautiful surroundings houses
another
imposing UNESCO world
heritage
site the 17th century Dutch Fort.
Sri Lanka
the country rich in Culture
and Arts
fascinates every visitor with it’s
priceless
treasures.
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