World Heritage Sites
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 Sacred City of Anuradhapura
Date of Inscription: 1982
Criteria: (ii)(iii)(vi)
Location : North Central Province, Anuradhapura District
Core zone: 4000 ha,
Distance: 206 km from Colombo
Anuradhapura is acclaimed as the greatest monastic city of the ancient world and has served as the royal capital of 113 kings. Located in the North-Central part of the island, Anuradhapura was originally founded by a King's minister named Anuradha in 500 BC. The 'tree of enlightenment'-the Buddha's fig tree-brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta was planted in Anuradhapura. The city flourished for 1300 years. In 993 AD, Anuradhapura was fought over and abandoned when the capital was moved to Polonnaruwa. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, was re-discovered in 19th century and is now accessible once again.
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Ancient City of Polonnaruwa
Date of Inscription: 1982
Criteria: (i)(iii)(vi)
Location : North Central Province, Polonnaruwa District
Distance: 216 km from Colombo
Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. In its time, a 6 km rampart protected the city. Even during the time when Anuradhapura was the capital Polonnaruwa was an important city because it strategically commanded all the crossings over the Mahaveli River and acted as a buffer against the invading armies. It comprises, besides the Brahmanic monuments built by the Cholas, the monumental ruins of the fabulous garden-city created by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.
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Ancient City of Sigriya
Date of Inscription: 1982
Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)
Location : Central Province, Matale District
Distance: 169 km away from Colombo 
Sigiriya was the capital city, built by parricidal King Kasyapa who reigned from 477-495 AD. This ancient city which dates back to about 7000 years is the best preserved city centre in Asia from the first millennium. The ruins of the city lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 370 m high. The rock was transformed into a recumbent lion, which dominates the jungle from all sides. A series of galleries and staircases emerging from the mouth of a gigantic lion constructed of bricks and plaster provide access to the site. “The Lion Mountain”, the gardens and the pockets of paintings surviving on the rock face are the centers of attraction in this site which stands at the threshold of being declared as the 8th wonder of the world.
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Sacred City of Kandy
Date of Inscription: 1988
Criteria: (iv)(vi)
Location : Central Province
Distance: 183 km away from Colombo
 Kandy is also known as the last capital of the Sinhala Kings whose patronage enabled the Sinahala culture to flourish for more than 2,500 years until the occupation of Sri Lanka by the British in 1815. it is also known as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka. This sacred Buddhist site, popularly known as the city of Senkadagalapura, and also it is home to the famous site of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the sacred tooth of Buddha).
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Golden Temple of Dambulla
Date of Inscription: 1991
Criteria: (i)(vi)
Location : Central Province, Matale District
Distance: 148 km away from Colombo
 Dating back to the 1st Century BC, this is the largest, best-preserved and most impressive cave temple in Sri Lanka. It has five sanctuaries, and the Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2) are of particular importance, and 157 statues hold immense value. Inside the caves, the ceilings are painted with intricate patterns of religious images, following the contours of the rock. There are images of the Lord Buddha and bodhisattvas, as well as various gods and goddesses.
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Old Town of Galle and its Fortification
Date of Inscription: 1988
Criteria: (iv)
Location : City of Galle, Southern Province
Distance: 114 km away from Colombo
 The Fort town of Galle is Sri Lanka's fourth biggest town with a population of around 1lakh. The town was founded by the Portuguese in 16th century. In 1598, the Portuguese built a small fort which was later extended. However, when the Dutch took over in 1640, they destroyed all traces of the Portuguese presence. In 1663, the Dutch built the 36-hectare Fort, which is now a World Heritage Site. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British.
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