Colombo is Sri Lanka's largest city, and one of its more eclectic attractions is the Sapumal Foundation Gallery. Containing over 1,000 items of art - both on exhibit and in storage - only 200 are exhibited at any given time and they comprise a pictorial history of the development of Sri Lankan art from the 1920s to date. The collection features work by artists Henry Pieris, Justin Deraniyagala and Aubrey Collette, to name a few.

Given its disturbing history, a visit to the Jaffna Public Library is highly recommended for anyone visiting this city and interested in Sri Lankan history. Once the largest library in Asia with a collection of over 97,000 culturally and historically significant books and manuscripts, the library is now only a shadow of its former self as it was burnt down in June 1981. The library has, however, since been rebuilt but will never be what it was.

The captivating and not to be missed Ruwanwelisaya stupa in Anuradhapura also attracts a great many tourists every year, and a trip to this beautiful temple constitutes one of the most peaceful holidays Sri Lanka has on offer. Constructed on the order of King Dutugemunu, who reigned between 161BC and 137BC, this temple was built of mud bricks and decorated with gold, silver, gems, copper nuggets and pearls. It's also one of the 16 Solosmasthana sacred sites in Sri Lanka.

Ambalangoda also serves as a center of the much viewed and enjoyed devil dancing and mask-and puppet-making traditions. Devil dances are performed on a variety of different occasions to both ward off evil spirits and seek blessings from good spirits. Also near Ambalangoda is the beach resort of Hikkaduwa. The resort features the Coral Sanctuary, which is a haven for both snorkelers and divers seeking its abundance of reef fish and turtles.
Sri lanka Vacations