Sri Lankan Tourist Attractions by Districts

Last Updated: August 2016

Why European Women Get Crazy About Sri Lanka Shopping

Sri Lanka offers a wide array of shopping items, the most recognized being gems, batik, tea, and handicrafts. The most popular items among tourists, especially european women, are handloom fabrics, leather products, reproduction antiques, jewelry and ceramics. Greek girls prefer Ratnapura, it is the most famous place to find gems, including blue sapphires, the king of Sri Lankan precious stones.

For Buddhists, Kandy is the sacred city. The focal point is the Dalada Maligawa also known as the temple of the tooth, where the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha is enshrined. There are many shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare paintings, frescoes, wood and stone carvings. The highlight of the year is the Kandy Esala Perahera, when a replica of the relic casket is taken in procession accompanied by exotically costumed drummers, dancers and about 80 - 100 caparisoned elephants during ten glittering nights in July/ August.

The beautiful city, surrounded by hills and valleys, rivers, lakes and cascading waterfalls, boasts of the Royal Botanical gardens at Peradeniya .

Where To Shop & What To Buy In Colombo

The city has a bustling economy based on, among other things, tourism. There is a whole lot being done by the government to promote resorts and areas worth visiting in and around Colombo and when it comes to shopping there’s a lot more to Sri Lanka than merely Ceylon Tea! Plus there are great shopping malls created for tourist men and women in Colombo that help you pick up some truly memorable souvenirs.

Laksala.The state run-handicrafts emporium in Sri Lanka is called Laksala and has a number of branches all over the country. The one in Colombo is the biggest and the best and is located on 60 York Street. It is open from 09:00 in the morning to 17:00 in the evening. On Saturdays it closes an hour earlier and is closed all day on Sundays. You can pick up anything here and objects made from brass and silverware, wooden artifacts, buffalo horn, natural fibres, and even rush and reed abound. There are also products made from coconut shells, cane, and bamboo as well as toys, pottery, artificial flowers and costume jewelry.

Majestic City.The main shopping mall on Galle Road is the multi-storey Majestic City in Bambalapittiya. Most shoppers, besides girls, escape the heat of central Colombo by entering its air conditioned portals. There is a cinema on the top floor and a food court in the basement as well as a whole lot of varied shops in between. They sell everything from CD's, DVD's, books, clothes, and linen. You can even find a couple of internet cafes there.

Odel.Odel is located at 5 Alexander Place on Lipton Circus in Colombo 7 area. It is Sri Lanka’s best-known branded garment factory outlet. Here, you'll find garments from international houses like Gap, DKNY,and George, but the labels are removed. It is a classy departmental store that features clothes, accessories, jewelry, shoes, bags, cosmetics, home ware, tea, books, watches, sunglasses, chocolates and candy, toiletries, and a whole lot more. There is an ice cream parlor, hair salon and florist present as well. All in all it's a true shopping experience.

The Barefoot Gallery.Odel’s closest competition would come from the Barefoot Gallery which is located at 706 Galle Road in Colombo. Although it is not quite the same scale and has less to offer, it is worth visiting with a range of handloom products. Very cheerful, colourful and creative designs grace the handmade artifacts. You can pick up toys, notebooks bound in handloom fabrics, hand-painted wooden boxes, tote bags, skirts and blouses, costume jewelry, table linen and even bed linen.

Nuwara Eliya

Religious and Tourist Attactions in Nuwara Eliya District
Bakers Falls, Horton Plains
Devon Falls, Thalawakele
Gregory Lake, Nuwara Eliya
Hanuman Kovil, Ramboda
Puna Ella, Ramboda
Ramboda Falls, Ramboda
Ramboda Tunnel, Ramboda
St Clair Falls, Thalawakele
Victoria Garden, Nuwara Eliya

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Polonnaruwa

Religious and Tourist Attactions in Polonnaruwa District
Atadageya
Bodhisathva Statue in Dalada Maluwa
Counsel Chamber
Gal Potha
Gal Viharaya
Hetadageya
Royal Palace of King Parakumba
Kumara Pokuna
Lanka Thilaka Vihara
Lotus Pond
Minneriya National Park
Nisshanka Latha Mandapaya
Pothgul Viharaya
Rankoth Vehera Stupa
Sath Mahal Prasada
Siva Devalaya(No 1)
Somawathiya
Thuparama Image House
Thivanka Image House
Vatadageya (Dalada Maluwa)
Vatadageya (Medirigiriya)
Velaikkara Slab Inscription

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Rathnapura

Religious and Tourist Attactions in Rathnapura District
Udawalawa Tank, Udawalawa

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Trincomalee

Religious and Tourist Attactions in Trincomalee District
Fort Fredrick, Trincomalee
Girihadu Seya
Kanniaya Hot Water Wells
Kinniya Bridge
Koneshwaran Temple, Trincomalee
Pigeon Island
Velgam Vehera

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