Polonnaruwa

Overview

• Polonnaruwa is a city with historical value, located in the plains of the Mahaweli Valley, 216 km from Colombo, in the Polonnaruwa District of the North Central Province of Sri Lanka.

• It was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, due to many reasons such as its cultural value, well-preserved medieval ruins, and irrigation systems.

• The Polonnaruwa Kingdom arose after the Anuradhapura Kingdom. It was made the capital of Sri Lanka by King Vijayabahu in 1070. At that time, agriculture was at a very high level in that state, and even today, a standard of living can be seen where agriculture is the main source of livelihood. And also, it is an amazing experience to be able to visit the temples, palaces, and irrigation systems of the past. It is a reflection of the technology of the ancestors of the past, and it also amazes the minds of tourists.

• “Gal Vihara” is a rock temple located in Polonnaruwa, built in accordance with Buddhist culture, and within the temple, Buddha statues can be seen. In this way, the ruins of such magnificent creations as the RanKoth Vehera, Lankathilaka Viharaya, Thuparama Gedige, Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, and Vatadageya can still be seen today.

• For tourists who are interested in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, Polonnaruwa is a main destination to visit.