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The gem-mining centre of Sri Lanka is also
a major crossroad between southern plains
and the hill country to the east. A bustling
market city servicing most of the surrounding
towns. Many of the prominent gem
dealers in Sri Lanka operate from this
town. Scenery around the town is excellent
and charming.
There is a route to Sri Pada
from Ratnapura direction. Excursions include
Sinharaja Forest and Uda Walawe Wild Life
Park. The route towards hill country is
beautiful. The surrounding area is a popular
trekking destination and a good place for
bird watching. Visit traditional gem mining
and cutting operations |
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 Ehelepola
Museum is a folk cultural museum. There is
a private museum called The Gem Museum. There
are several other private gem museums and
gem cutting centres, which are also sales
outlets. |
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 The
mining operation for gems
has been virtually the same since the days
of the Alexander the Great or perhaps the
Pharaohs times except for the modern addition
of the water pumps for dewatering of the pits.
The supports for the excavations are still
mostly the logs. Labour is provided as a share
to the earnings as well as the equipment,
materials as well as the daily expenses such
as food too are contributed as a share. |
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Ratnapua's
major shrine is the temple dedicated to the
God Saman guardian deity of the Sri Pada.
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 There
are many public busses coming to Ratnapura
from various destinations. Busses to Colombo
are very frequent. There are busses to Panadura,
Badulla, Ampara and Hambanthota and Matara
to the south. |
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Smiling
Face |
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 Hill
climb of a different type, a pilgrimage for
the locals but famous for the spectacular
sun rise and the panoramic views of Sri Lanka
or simply for adventure. The summit is famous
for the footprint said to be now covered under
a huge rock. Thousands of Sri Lankans of all
of the world's major religions make this ardous
pilgrimage to the summit during the season
therefore the most popular hill trail in Sri
Lanka to 2200m above the sea level . The season
is between December and April when the summit
is not misty and relatively dry. There are
several routes from the Ratnapura side of
the climb.
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 Situated
70 km south of Ratnapura the park is located
in the Dry Zone and comprises of grasslands
and thorn scrubs and many valuable species
of trees. Large herds of
Elephants and Deer species such as spotted
Deer, Sambhur, Barking deer and Langur, Wild
Boar, Water Buffalo, Jackal are some of the
prominent wild animals found in this Park
and a variety of avifauna is seen. |
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 About
30kM from Ratnapura is the last remaining
portion of rain forest of the country, the
Sinharaja Forest. The forest has now been
declared as a protected area. A popular
tourist destination for its' eco value,
bird watching, research and for curiosity.
The forest is famous among the scientists
for the vast number of flora and fauna and
a Eco lovers' paradise on the paradise.
Population increase and one time massive
logging operation has decreased the extent
of Sinharaja.
The forest covers an area of more than
11000 ha. Sinharaja has been regarded as
a valued area from the days of the kings.
Now a world heritage site protected by the
government under the wilderness area. Logging,
game hunting and gem mining are still a
threat to the forest while the government
is very much involved in conservation of
the forest. |
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| There are
many public busses coming to Ratnapura from
various destinations. Busses to Colombo are
very frequent. There are busses to Panadura,
Badulla, Ampara and Hambanthota and Matara
to the south |
| Kitulgala |
 Remember
the film "The Bridge over the River Kwai",
it is here the bridge for the film set was
built. The beautiful tributary of the Kelani
River, over which the bridge was built is
still attracting fans to the town. Other attractions
include Keleni Forest Reserve a bird watching
location, white water rafting and trekking.
This quite town probably had not changed since
the days of the filming on 1950s. Kithulgala
is about 100Km from Colombo on the main route
to Nuwara Eliya via Hatton. |
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