BOOKMARK the page, "A Taste of Paradise".  We shall update it often, to provide Information and impart Knowledge and Education on individual facets of Sri Lanka.

Cricket played out against a backdrop of the Islanders' passionate love for the game, the lush green of the world's 'Tea Garden' you will see in travelling through the scenic Hill Country with its cascading waterfalls and mountain passes and then the 'Royal City' of KANDY with the magnificent 'Golden Roofed' Temple there which house the most sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha, all combined to create a cultural experience, second to none!

On your way to Kandy, drop in at PINNAWALA near the Town Kegalle, the one and only Elephant orphanage/sanctuary and also the most popular 'Elephant attraction' in the country.  Here one is able to see very many Elephants at close distance.

DAMBULLA a world heritage site and also a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries is the cradle of our proud culture and civilisation. This newest venue to International Cricket in this Country, is the home to a series of spectacular BC Rock-Caves and over 22,000 square feet of Buddhist murals. It is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. Five caves that form the Raja Maha Vihara of this village, by far is the most impressive. Each cave is decorated with mural paintings of scenes from the Buddha's life.  Largest cave carries some 48 statues of Lord Buddha alone The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 sq.m.) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.

SIGIRIYA, its nearby town 16 Kilo Meters away, displays well Sri Lankan architectural tradition. It is also the best preserved city centre in Asia from the first millennium and displays the grandeur and complexity of urban-planning in 5^th century Sri Lanka. The Complex consists of the central rock, rising 200 meters above the surrounding plain, and the two rectangular precincts on the east and the west surrounded by two moats and three ramparts. It has a combination of buildings and gardens with their trees, pathways, water gardens, the fusion of symmetrical and asymmetrical elements, use of varying levels and of axial and radial planning. The water garden, moats and ramparts are based on an echo plan duplicating the layout and design on either side. Its spectacular rock fortress built atop a 250 meter high rock by a 5th century Sri Lankan King, fearful of enemy invasion, with water gardens and royal mansion along with fresco gallery of heavenly maidens, are of world-wide renown and now termed the "Eighth Wonder of the World".

The port town GALLE, is the capital of the Southern Province, 115 Kilometers south of Colombo. It is famous for its 36-hectare old Dutch Fort with ramparts which is now a World Heritage Site and unique for its well preserved 17^th century Dutch monuments, hand made lace work, ebony and ivory handicrafts, wood carvings, tortoise-shell ware and now even gem-polishing. The Galle Clock-Tower built in 1881 by the British and standing on the Dutch Moon Bastion, greatly enhances the beauty of the ramparts.

EXCURSIONS

The beauty of the Island has encouraged Tourists to return again and again, and each time to discover new things that bind them more. Legendary makes so many to believe this island to be the mythical 'Garden of Eden'. When you travel around, it is easy to see why. From the heat of the plains to the cool of the forested hills, from the gem-encrusted hills of Ratnapura to the sun smiling wide sandy beaches that fringe the island, this is where sea and serendipity, mountain and myth, and rain and religion, are all interwoven into one amazing tapestry. In fact this Island is 'a small universe', as it contains as many variations of climate, scenery and culture, as some countries a dozen times its size. What you get from it, depends on what you put in to explore it !

Kandy 115 Km inland from Colombo and nestled amongst green hills with the lake as its centrepiece, then to Nuwara Eliya only 69 Km from there but of nearly a two hour drive (because of steep climb) through verdant Tea Plantations and Water Falls in tea estates- a picturesque sites, and returning through world famous Gardens at Hakgala (10 Km away), are a must for those who love the hills and want to enjoy the salubrious climate.

The Southern Coast starting from Kalutara and extending up to Tangalla, is the most popular beach resorts with more than a dozen beaches varying from one another, to enjoy the sun and sand amongst groves of coconut palms, take in the delicious sea food, revel in all water sports and observe the marvels of Indian Ocean, in passing through Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle and Matara.

TWENTY BEACHES OF PARADISE - Your Handy Guide is here !

Spend a day with the untamed beauty of the Yaala National Park in search of the Elephant, the magnificent mammal whose population is fast dwindling and the elusive leopard. Deer, wild boar, sambar, flying squirrels and wide variety of birds, are all there in this 500 square-mile sanctuary.

A two day trip to Islands ancient historical sites or the ruined cities encompassing Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, now Worlds Heritage Sites, is a worthwhile expedition of great educational value.

To know how variety of gems found in the Island are mined then cut and finally polished, take a full days excursion to Ratnapura, the 'City of Gems' situated 101 Km from Colombo.