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Id	Rootcategory Id	Name	Title	Brief	Description	Created	Actions
22	2	Lighthouse tours	1	<ul><i><b>Lighthouses, do transport us to some mystical, adventurous & raucous age-old ship voyage with sailors swearing at each other but with a die-hard exploration, spirit blooming in their hearts. Ships, wrecks, explorers, the discovery of new lands, exotic stuff, tribal, talking parrots!</i></b></br> <br>Sri Lanka is a hub of foreign trade since ancient times. The necessity of the lighthouses arises during the period of British rule in the country. Almost all the lighthouses were built at that period. However the development of the electronic navigation system role of lighthouses getting less and less important.</br> <br>These tall majestic structures around the island’s coastline are provided panoramic views of scenic locations that cannot be matched with other scenic locations that encourage the visitors to feel the real natural all-embracing view of the Indian Ocean and fantastic beaches in Sri Lanka.</br> <br>There are fourteen active lighthouses in Sri Lanka. Among them four lighthouses are international lighthouses, they are:</br> <br>Barberyn (Beruwala) Lighthouse</br> <br>Dondra Head Lighthouse</br> <br>Little Basses Reef Lighthouse</br> <br>Great Basses Reef Lighthouse</br> <br>Other active lighthouses in Sri Lanka are:</br> <br>Galle Lighthouse</br> <br>Batticaloa Lighthouse</br> <br>Colombo (new) Lighthouse</br> <br>Colombo Southwest Breakwater Lighthouse</br> <br>Colombo Pilot Station Lighthouse</br> <br>Kankesanture lighthouse</br> <br>Kevuliya / Round Island Lighthouse</br> <br>Kovilan Point (Karaitivu Island) Lighthouse</br> <br>Mannar Island /Talaimannar (New) Lighthouse</br> <br>Oluvil lighthouse</br>	k	2/2/19, 2:18 PM	View Edit Delete
23	2	Explore Forts	F	<ul>Forts in Sri Lanka were built in the pre-colonial period by the Sinhalese kings and the colonial period by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British.<br> <br>The most significant and well-known fortification in the pre-colonial era is Sigiriya which was built by King Kashyapa in the 4th century BC. However, long before Sigiriya was built, the fortification of Vijithapura was constructed. The exact location of Vijithapura was unknown. Many historians are believed that it was near the Kala wewa reservoir. <br> <br>The fortress at Mapagala, located close to the Sigiriya rock and the Sigiriya tank was built between the 1st and 4th centuries BC, before the built of a fortress atop Sigiriya rock. The more recent remains of forts at Sitawaka and the Balana belongs to the 16th and 17th centuries can be seen in Avissawella and Kadugannawa area.<br> <br>Most of the available forts and fortifications in Sri Lanka are belong to the colonial era. The Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British who control the country or part of the country since 1505 built those forts and fortifications because they had to build them to keep at bay the unsubdued Inland Sinhalese Kings and their larger treading rivals.<br> <br>When the Portuguese landed in the 16th century, the first area they conquered and built their first fort in Sri Lanka was then known as "kolomthota" by the locals. Today, it is called Colombo. The Portuguese fort of Colombo was captured by the Dutch in1656. They reduced and confined the fort to the western part of the Colombo – this area still known as the “Fort” of Colombo. They also laid out streets in a more regular grid pattern and are still so today. The arch of the East or Delft Gate of the fort of Colombo has been restored and can be seen.<br> <br>Apart from the fort of Colombo, the Portuguese built several more fortifications in the coastal regions of the island. Fort Frederick in Trincomalee and the Galle fort are a few of them. All of these Portuguese fortifications were conquered by the Dutch after overcoming much vigorous resistance. Because of heavy fighting, most of the forts extensively damaged and were rebuilt and strengthened by the Dutch.<br> <br>The Dutch make up a national scheme for the Island as a whole, and grouping the forts in the following sequence:<br> <br><b>Western Group</b> - Colombo Fort – Chief Fort<br> <br> - Kalutara Fort<br> <br> - Bentota Fort<br> <br> - Negambo Fort<br> <br> - Kalpitiya Fort<br> <br><b>Southern Group</b> - Galle Fort – Chief Fort<br> <br> - Matara Fort<br> <br> - Tangalle Fort<br> <br> - Hambantota Fort<br> <br> - Katuwana Fort<br> <br><b>Northern Group</b> - Jaffna Fort – Chief Fort<br> <br> - Hammenhiel Fort<br> <br> - ElephantPass Fort<br> <br> - Poonaryn Fort<br> <br> - Kayts Fort<br> <br> - Delft Fort<br> <br> - Mannar Fort<br> <br> - Arippu Fort<br> <br><b>East Coast</b> - Batticaloa Fort – Chief Fort<br> <br> - Fort Frederick, Trincomalee <br> <br>In 1796 the British diplomatically captured the Dutch controlling area including forts causing little or no damage to them.<br> <br>The British were increased and strengthened their ordnance and tropes at first but no distinguishing features apart from their gables to the forts built by the Dutch. Later on, the British, also, built Martello tower in Hambantota and Fort MacDowall in Matale their own forts. The British decided to build Colombo as Island’s capital city and the main harbor in order to that Colombo fort was demolished.<br> <br>At present, a few forts have been using for civil activities. Negambo fort as a jail, Batticaloa fort as a District secretariat, and Star fort Matara as a museum. All the forts are under the control of the Department of Archaeology. </ul>	X	2/2/19, 2:52 PM	View Edit Delete
13	2	Historic places	k	<ul>Historic places in Sri Lanka are accompanying the history of Sri Lanka. It is believed that Sri Lankan history was beginning as early as one million years ago. Because there was human habitation in the Indian sub-continent for around two million years and Sri Lanka linked with the Indian sub-continent by a land bridge called Adam’s bridge.<br> <br>The deposits of ancient coastal sands and gravels referred to as the “Iranamadu Formation” was found at the Pathirajawela area near Bundala and Minihagalkanda in Yala national park and some places in the north provide evidence that there was a prehistoric settlement in Sri Lanka by about 125,000BP. The small-flake stone tool industry found in this area confirms that these people made tools of quartz, which they used to remove flesh from the hunted animals.<br> <br>The remains of an Upper Pleistocene fauna, notably, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, and lion were found in the gem-bearing alluvial gravels of Rathnapura district, which has been dated 80,000 BP now displayed at Rathnapura archaeological Museum. Fa- Hien- Lena, cave (or Pahiyangala) at Bulathsinhala has yielded the evidence (at 37,000BP) of anatomically modern man in Sri Lanka referred to as “Balangoda Man”, was the earliest found in South Asia. Several other human remains have been found in Batadomba-Lena near Kuruwitha, Beli-Lena at Kitulgala, and Alu-Lena near Kegalle.<br> <br>These anatomically modern prehistoric humans in Sri Lanka are stood at an estimated height of 174cm. (5’ 8”) for males and 166cm. (5’ 5’’) for females in certain samples, which is considerable when compared with present-day Sri Lankans.<br> <br>Balangoda Man appears to have settled in practically every nook and corner of the country ranging from the damp and cold high plains as Maha-Eliya (Horton Plains) to the arid lowlands of Mannar and Wilpattu, to the steamy equatorial rain forests at Rathnapura and suburb. <br> <br>The pollen and other multi-proxy records confirm that the herding and the incipient management of barley and oats by around 15,000 BP was done at the Horton Plains. The Doravak-Lena shelter near Warakapola has yielded a geometric microlithic industry.<br> <br>Early Iron Age manifestation of the country was found at Anuradhapura and Aligala shelter in Sigiriya (1,000-800BC). The settlement at Anuradhapura exceeded 10 hectares in extent by 800BC and it was at least 50ha by 700-600BC and thus already a “town”. In this period Sri Lankans were engaged in agricultural activities with the application of irrigation techniques. They have developed a unique hydraulic civilization and possessed a superior cultural heritage. <br> <br>The burial grounds used by them for funeral purpose and clay utensils used by them were found from Ibbankatuwa in Dambulla area, Yatigalpotta near Galewela area, and Pomparippu at Wilpattu National Park.<br> <br>According to the “Mahavamsa”, Vijaya came from Kalinga in India with his 700 followers landed in Sri Lanka, near “Mahathitha” (Mantota or Mannar) on the same day as the death of Lord Buddha.<br> <br><b>Early Kingdoms</b><br> <br>The early tribes were living as isolated groups and they may have their own regional leaders and their own system of administration. The monarchical system of administration was enforced by Vijaya. According to the Mahavamsa “Thammannawa” become the island’s first capital and is speculated to have been located by the Malwatu River in the northwest, while the “Upatissa Nagara” become the second capital, located near the mouth of Malwatu River, south of Thammannawa. The third capital city, Panduvasnuwara, may have been located mid-way along the Malwatu River. The next capital, Anuradhapura, was situated further up on the banks of the Malwatu River.<br> <br>Although Anuradhapura functioned as a town from 700-800 BC., King “Pandukabhaya” converted it to capital and laid out a systematically planned city of a highly artistic nature. The pioneer hydraulic engineer, King Pandukabhaya (474-407 BC.) built the first massive reservoir called Abahaya Wewa on the right bank of the Malwatu River as well as designing a sanitary system, gardens, an irrigation and water supply system, temples, cemeteries, burial grounds, etc.<br> <br>The systematically planned capital city flourished under many subsequent kings who ruled for nearly 15 centuries to 10th century AD and is considered to be the cradle of a civilization nurtured with the arts, crafts, literature, and high technological skills, predominantly of a superior and unrivaled nature in comparison with the other great biblical city of Babylon and the advancement of social structure rivaled the great Egyptian cities of “Karnak”, “Luxuor” and “Thebes”.<br> <br>At the time of King “Devanampiyatissa” Buddhism was introduced into the country in 247 BC by India under the guidance of Arhat Mahinda, the son of the Mauryan Emperor Ashok, which changed the way of the country remarkably and influenced every nook and corner of the country and its culture.<br> <br>For around 15 centuries Anuradhapura stood as a significant religious nucleus, centered on the concept of kingship. There were about 122 kings and queens ruling the country during this period. Some monarchs were extremely powerful and able to rule the country in single sovereignty, but some were not as powerful as that and as a result, the Anuradhapura kingdom became highly vulnerable to invasions from South India and suffered the overthrow of the throne several times, by invading kings from South India. However Sinhalese kings have managed to defeat the invaders after reorganizing their troops, although the invading kings ruled in the meantime.<br> <br>The arts, crafts, and architectural creations gradually advanced during the early Anuradhapura period and achieved their exemplary status in the late Anuradhapura period. Dr. R.L Brohier who wrote the book “Ancient Irrigation Works in Ceylon” stated that the irrigation techniques of the Sinhalese also reached their supreme level in this period.<br> <br>King Mahinda V ascended the throne in 982 AD; the last Sinhalese king to rule the country from this glorious city. In 1017 AD the entire island was controlled by South India. They ruled the country for 73 years. They moved the capital city to Polonnaruwa from Anuradhapura.<br> <br><b>Medieval Kingdom</b><br> <br>The internal revolts and South Indian invasions resulted in the transferring of the capital of the kingdom from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa as a temporary administration center and a more secure place from 7th century AD.<br> <br>The great Vijayabahu I defeated the Chola king and recaptured the whole island, chose to established Polonnaruwa as the new capital of the country. The Polonnaruwa era existed from 1017 to 1235 AD and 19 kings and queens ruled the country. Once again South India was conquered Polonnaruwa. This time pirate named Magha was controlling the island.<br> <br><b>Late Kingdoms</b><br> <br>King Vijayabahu III started to re-establish rule over the island after defeating Magha and chose Dambadeniya as the capital of the country in 1220 AD. Four kings ruled the country from there.<br> <br>King Bhuvanekabahu I (1271 to 1283 AD) was the last king of Dambadeniya and he moved the capital to Yapahuwa, which was considered a strategically important point since the Polonnaruwa era. The most famous Mayan like steep stairway in Yapahuwa was built for the pathway to the palace of Sacred Tooth Relic.<br> <br>Then Kurunegala became the Royal capital of the country from King Bhuvanekabahu II (1293-1302 AD) and remained so for about half a century.<br> <br>Gampola was made the capital city of the island by King Bhuwanekabahu IV (1341-1353 AD). King Buwanekabahu V was the last king of Gampola and ruled the country for 29 years. A separate city was built at Kotte in the western lowlands by the provincial leader Alagahakonara during his reign.<br> <br>Kotte became the next capital city of the country when King Parakramabahu VI (1415-1467 AD.) choose Kotte as his power base. He was the last Sinhalese king who managed to re-establish rule over the island. After his death, the country was once again plunged into a divisive struggle and Kandyans asserted their independence from Kotte.<br> <br>The Kingdom of Kandy was begun in 1469. In 1590 it has become the only independent native state in the country. It was lasting until the treaty between the Kandyan kingdom and the British were signed in 1815 at the Kandyan Convention. After that Sri Lanka become the Crown colony until 1948. </ul>	AD	12/29/18, 11:26 PM	View Edit Delete
25	2	Ramayana sites	E	<ul>Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka can be found in different places in the country. According to the epic poem, Ramayana written by Valmiki most of the incidents has happened in Sri Lanka. If you are interested in Ramayana you should visit Sri Lanka and explore places related to the story in your necked eye. <br> <br>The story was based on King Ravana, King Rama, and his wife Sita. According to the poet, Ravana was a demon (Rakshasa) king of “Lankapura”, present Sri Lanka and 9 other kingdoms. Rama is a King of Ayodhya at Kosala in India and his wife was Sita.<br> <br>According to the legendary poet, Indians are considered Ravana as a villain who kidnaped Rama’s wife. Since Ravana was as such according to the Indian cultural point of view, Sri Lankans believe him as a hero of their nation and identity of the “Hela” people who are living in Sri Lanka for more than 200,000 years and the roots from “Balangoda Man” living in 35,000 years before.<br> <br>However, there was no archaeological evidence found to prove this story. But names of the places in Ravan’s period in Sri Lanka remain unchanged today though the country transforms a series of different changes culturally, socially, and religiously.<br> <br>King Ravana was a follower of Lord Shiva and a mighty warrior, a great intelligent scholar, and a master of Ayurveda medicine. He was practiced “Rasasiddhishasta” which enable him to become immortal. Ravana was the inventor of aircraft technology and use flying machines called “Vimana”. Two such flying machines were “Pushpaka Vimana” and “Dandumonaraya”. These flying machines were landed at Totupola Kanda at Horton Plains National Park, Weeragantota at Mahiyanganaya, Ussangoda, and Wariyapola.<br> <br>The Poet story begins with “Surpanakha”, the sister of King Ravana, fall in love with King Rama but he did not. Due to an incident, Surpanakah’s nose was cut off by Rama’s brother “Lakshmana”. King Ravana thought that was an insult to him and decided to kidnapped King Rama’s wife Sita and bring her to Lankapura. When Sita brings to Lankapura, she was held captive in several places in the country. One such place was “Sita Kotuwa” in Gurulupotha near Mahiyanganaya where Ravana had his aircraft maintain the centre. Another place was Ashok Vatika near Nuwara Eliya. There are several places in Nuwara Eliya, Ella, and Kotmale area related to Sita’s stay in Sri Lanka.<br> <br>The special monkey army of King Rama starts to search Sita. “Hanuman” was the commander of that army. They came to Sri Lanka through the ocean bridge of “Setubandhanam” between Sri Lanka and India. En-route Hanuman was staying at Nagadipa. Hanuman was able to find Sita at the Ashok Vatika however he was captured by the Ravana’s army. He was punished by setting his tail on fire. But that has become a tragedy when he started to torch villages and cities eventually he was able to escape and going back to India. Ussangoda is one such place torched by Hanuman. After Hanuman’s arrival, Sita was hidden in various secret places belongs to king Ravana’s network of tunnels connecting cities, airports, and dairy farms. Tunnel mouths are at Welimada, Ravana cave at Bandarawela, and near Kalutara temple.<br> <br>King Rama came to know Sita was in Lankapura by the Hanuman and arrived in Lankapura to escape Sita. King Rama and his army came from the northern part of the country while the monkey force came from the southern part of the country to attack king Ravana. Neelavarai bottomless well was believed to be created by King Rama by a shot of an arrow to obtain water for his army.<br> <br>Since battle started the weapon called “Brahmastra”, invited by King Ravana created a series of damages for King Rama. His brother was laid unconscious at the battlefield and doctors required some special medicinal herbs from “Sanjeewani parvatha” at Himalaya. Hanuman was sent to Himalaya. But he forgot which herbs he needed and in desperation, he took a chunk of the mountains and twisted in his tail come back. On his way back he dropped some pieces of the mountain at Rumassala in Galle, Dolukanda in Nikaweratiya, Ritigala near Habarana, Talladi in Mannar, and Katchchathivu in the north.<br> <br>It is said to be that the final battle took place at the Yudhaganapitiya at Wasgamuwa national park. King Ravana mastering his troops from “Lakegala” hillock at Laggala. From there northeast end of Trincomalee and the northwest end of Talaimannar can be seen. At the final battle, King Ravana died and it is believed that his body was kept at the Place called “Yahangala” near Hasalaka.<br> <br>After the battle, Sita was rescued and she needed to prove her innocence and purity to King Rama, undergoing a trial by fire. She was invoked without any damage. This happened in “Divurumpola” near Hasalaka.<br> <br>Since King Rama was returning back to India with his wife Sita on a Ravana’s aircraft of Vimana, he felt that Vimana was vibrating. He stopped it and prayed for God Shiva to get his blessing from whom King Ravana get the blessing. God Shiva advice King Rama to installed 4 lingams. That was done by King Rama and they are at Manavari near Munneswaram, Thiru Koheneshwaram at Trincomalee, Thiru Ketheshwaram at Mannar, and Rameshwaram in India.<br> <br>After the demise of King Ravana, his brother “Vibhishana” was coroneted as a king of Lankapura at Kelaniya. Vibhishana is considered one of the 4 guardian deities in Sri Lanka.</ul>	n	2/2/19, 3:33 PM	View Edit Delete
44	2	Museums visit	h	<ul>Museums are the best places to explore the history, cultural heritage, and even the nature of Sri Lanka. The artifacts and monuments belong to different eras in Sri Lanka are displayed in a meaningful and scientific manner. There are a lot of museums throughout the country that offers a comprehensive history of Sri Lanka and its traditions. </ul>	h	12/15/19, 3:25 AM	View Edit Delete
40	2	UNESCO world heritage sites	jl	<ul>Sri Lanka has eight UNESCO world heritage sites. Six of them have been nominated as Cultural world heritage sites. They are the sacred city of Anuradhapura (in 1982), the ancient city of Polonnaruwa (in 1982), the ancient city of Sigiriya (in 1982), the old town of Galle and its fortifications (in 1988), the sacred city of Kandy (in 1988), and the Golden Temple of Dambulla (in 1991).<br> <br>Sri Lanka boasts of two natural world heritage sites. They are the Sigharaja forest reserve nominated in 1988 and Central Highlands of Sri Lanka nominated in 2010.<br> <br><b>Sinharaja Forest Reserve</b><br> <br>Sinharaja forest reserve is the only available primary tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka and one of the few in the world. The narrow strip of swelling terrain situated close to Rathnapura, between the villages of Rakwana, Deniyaya, and Matugama. Sinharaja forest is covered 9800 hectares. It is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, flowers, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and silent streamlets. Thirteen floral genera out of 25 endemic genera are only found in Sinharaja Forest. Twelve endemic bird species out of 48 bird species in foraging flocks are creating the most spectacular scenery in Sinharaja forest.<br> <br>The links between the Sinharaja Forest and the Sinhala people of Sri Lanka are lost in the mists of legend and folklore. According to legend, the race is the result of the union between a king's daughter and a mighty lion who lived in the forest called Sinharaja Adaviya. Sinharaja forest, therefore, lies embedded in the national consciousness of the Sri Lankan people and occupies a special position of importance.<br> <br><b>Central Highlands of Sri Lanka</b><br> <br>Peak wilderness nature reserve, Horton plains national park and the Knuckles conservation forest formed the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. It is the remaining area of the Montane and Submontane rain forest in Sri Lanka. It contains half of Sri Lanka’s endemic vertebrates and flowering plants and 34% of its endemic trees, shrubs, and herbs.<br> <br>Knuckles Conservation Forest spreads across the Matale and Kandy districts and can be accessed via Teldeniya, Rattota, and Wattegama areas. The highest mountain in the range is recorded at a height of 1,862 m. The entire area is characterized by its striking landscapes often robed in thick layers of cloud resulting in breath-taking sceneries. Knuckles Conservation Forest is ideal for trekking and hiking, birding, and scenic photography.<br> <br>Peak Wilderness Nature Reserve is mainly with Adam’s Peak and its surroundings. Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada is the 4th highest mountain in the country with a height of 2,243 m. .</ul>	ljhb	2/3/19, 11:07 AM	View Edit Delete
42	2	Train journey	RAILWAY MARVELS	<ul><i><b> “No other country in the world can take you in spacious and comfortable railway carriages on a track of five feet six inches gauge, over the mountain at an altitude of more than six thousand feet – yet such facilities are provided in Ceylon”. </b></i><br> <br><i>H.W. Cave (Page 19) – The Ceylon Government Railway</i><br> <br>Train lines in Sri Lanka were conceived and developed by the British colonial rulers. Sir Charles Justin MacCarthy 12th Governor of British Ceylon (1860-1863) was the key in the construction of the first-ever train line in Ceylon from Colombo to Ambepussa began in 1864. The main purpose of introducing train lines to Ceylon was to transport coffee plantations in Kandy and suburbs to Colombo harbour.<br> <br>In 1871 coffee plantation was destroyed by coffee blight and tea plantations were introduce in the 1880s. The tea plantations were expanded throughout the central highland resulting in the construction of the Uva train line. The train line from Peradeniya to Nawalapitiya was opened in 1874 and to Nanuoya in 1885. The most difficult and most beautiful train line from Nanuoya to Badulla via Bandarawela, Ella, and Demodara was opened in 1924. Uva train line reached 6226 feet (1897.7m) height at Pattipola, thus recorded the highest broad gauge line in the world.<br> <br>The northern line from Polgahawela to Kurunegala was opened in 1894. The first train to Jaffna from Colombo was reached on 1 August 1905. The train line to Talaimannar was opened in1914 and connecting Dhanushkodi in South India by ferry, to bring Indian labour for the tea plantation.<br> <br>The Batticaloa train line via Polonnaruwa and Galoya junction was opened in 1928. The train line to Trincomalee was opened in 1927. The coastal train line from Colombo to Matara via Panadura Kalutara, Aluthgama, and Galle was open step by step from 1877 to 1895.<br> <br>There are few train lines in the world that cover the combination of high mountain peaks, lowlands, pastoral and wooded scenery, waterfalls, beaches, historical monuments, hundreds of acres of paddy fields, Acres of lush emerald-green tea plantations and so many. The train journey in Sri Lanka can be covered almost all the above attractions. </ul>	CHGHGGJ	2/18/19, 10:35 AM	View Edit Delete