Having following the Television series of the “Maha Sancharakaya” of Mr. Jackson Anthony we both decided to visit some of these historical sites on a visit to Kataragama on the long weekend of 23th to 25rg February 2013. The Ruhunu Kingdom was a provincial principality, came to focus only when King Detu Gamunu defeating King Elara and unifying the country in the early period of the Anuradhapura Kingdom.

We set out of Colombo at about 5.00amin the morning and traveled via Ratnapura, Balangoda A4 road and at the 151 Km post the road to Uggal Aluthnuwara is on the right side of the road marked by a Thorana still incomplete. Nine KMs from Balangoda towards Badulla. Passing the thorana travel about 450meters and turn right and then proceed about 150 meters and come to the site of the magnificent dewalaya.

Hence beginning of January we thought to travel to Polgahawela and Dedigama for a one day trip to visit few ancient temples and sites.
Starting at about 9.30am on the 7th of January 2013 we drove via Kandy road and turned off at Ambepussa to the Kurunegala Road up to Alawwa. At Walakumbura near the now famous train crossing with accidents you find the turn off road to Waduwawa.

Raigama, according to some historians, was the seventh capital of ancient Lanka, after Anuradhapura (4th century BC – 10th century AD), Polonnaruwa (10th century – mid-13th century), Dambadeniya (1232–72), Yapahuwa (1272–93), Kurunegala (1293–1341) and Gampola (1341–47). It is said to have been the capital for 68 years, until Parakramabahu VI moved to the comforts of Sri Jayawardenepura-Kotte in 1415 (Wikipedia.)

Once reaching Anuradhapura town by road and travel up to Jaffna junction_( Yapane Handiya) its KM199 from that point to Jaffna. At Ranbewa it’s connected to the A9 road extending from Kandy to Jaffna. The road came to prominence during the war
Once reaching Vavuniya the gate way pictured below is the entrance to the North the predominantly Tamil area.

We decided that we should travel as much as possible in the Mullathivu district travel to all corners Mullathivu , to South up to to Kokilai lagoon end, and to north to , Putukudiiruppu , turn to west to Vishvamadu and travel back via Paranthan to A9 road to Colombo as the whole area was the last strong hold of the LTTE. The total mileage covered was apox: 960km

Since it was a four day long weekend only Monday was a working day and Tuesday a Poya day, we both decided to travel to Galaha Kandy Nilambe Meditation Center to spend the time in recluse and out of reach of the hectic life in Colombo, without Telephones, Radio, Television and Electricity and all that.

During the past Matara was called “Mahathota”. The river running through Matara is ‘Nilwala River. There was a wide area across this river. Hence it was called “Mahathota” which means “The great ferry”. During the past Matara was called “Mahathota”. The river running through Matara is ‘Nilwala River. There was a wide area across this river. Hence it was called “Mahathota” which means “The great ferry”

fter returning from a trip to Orissa the Kalinga Kingdom of Emperor Asoka on the 17th May 2012, I had to attend meeting in Anuradhapura 19th Morning. To make the trip useful before travelling to Anuradhapura we planned that after having finished the meeting which took few hours, to spend the rest of the weekend visiting the uncommon sites in Anuradhapura not normally visited by an average pilgrim.

We both decided to Visit Kebitigollawa, Padaviya and Horoupatana on 6th April 2012 which was a long week end to see all historical places in those areas, and visit places where the war was fought and defeated the LTTE and how the people were settling in the outer borders of the Anuradhapura district.

We started the journey to visit to Kilinochchi on the 16th of March 2012 evening at 1.30 PM noon time and decided to spend the night at Anuradhapura and to leave to Kilinochchi in the morning next day to save time. Both of us arrived at Anuradhapura Sarvodaya center at 6.30 pm and rested. Early morning we left at 6.30 AM from Anuradhapura to Kilinochchi

Having read the book the Sinhala Buddhist Heritage in the east and the North of Sri Lanka by Reverend Ellawala Medahananada Thero we decided to visit some of the accessible Viharas of the Vauniya South and North east of the district. We set out on a three day trip but left on the 16th evening and spent the night at Anuradahapura Sarvodaya rest center so that we could leave to Vauniya in the early morning of 17th to save time and before sun get too hot