Central Highlands of Sri Lanka

Horton Plains National Park

"Sri Pada" Peak Wilderness encompasses the Adam's Peak (Sri Pada)

 Central Highlands of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's highlands are situated in the south-central part of the island. The property comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. These montane forests, where the land rises to 2,500 metres above sea-level, are home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species such as the western-purple-faced langur, the Horton Plains slender loris and the Sri Lankan leopard. The region is considered a super biodiversity hotspot.

• Peak Wilderness Protected Area
• Horton Plains National Park
• Knuckles Conservation Forest

Sri Lanka

N7 27 8.82 E80 48 7.56

Date of Inscription: 2010

Criteria: (ix)(x)

Property : 56,844 ha

Buffer zone: 72,645 ha

Ref: 1203

Source:  http://whc.unesco.org

Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. It 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.

Sri Lanka

City of Galle, Southern Province

N6 1 17 E80 13 7

Date of Inscription: 1988

Criteria: (iv)

Ref: 451

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka after the destruction of Anuradhapura in 993. 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.

Sri Lanka

North Central Province, Polonnaruva District

N7 54 57 E81 0 2

Date of Inscription: 1982

Criteria: (i)(iii)(vi)

Ref: 201

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Golden Temple of Dambulla

 Golden Temple of Dambulla

A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m² ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.

Sri Lanka

Central Province, Matale District

N7 51 24 E80 38 57

Date of Inscription: 1991

Criteria: (i)(vi)

Ref: 561

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Sacred City of Anuradhapura

This sacred city was established around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment', the Buddha's fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is now accessible once again.

Sri Lanka

North Central Province, Anuradhapura District

N8 19 60 E80 22 60

Date of Inscription: 1982

Criteria: (ii)(iii)(vi)

Ref: 200

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Located in south-west Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to over 50% of Sri Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians.

Sri Lanka

Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces

N6 25 0 E80 30 0

Date of Inscription: 1988

Criteria: (ix)(x)

Property : 8,864 ha

Ref: 405

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Sacred City of Kandy

Brief Description

This sacred Buddhist site, popularly known as the city of Senkadagalapura, was the last capital of the Sinhala kings whose patronage enabled the Dinahala culture to flourish for more than 2,500 years until the occupation of Sri Lanka by the British in 1815. It is also the site of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the sacred tooth of the Buddha), which is a famous pilgrimage site.

Sri Lanka

Central Province

N7 17 37 E80 38 25

Date of Inscription: 1988

Criteria: (iv)(vi)

Ref: 450

Source: http://whc.unesco.org

Ancient City of Sigiriya

A Postcard from

Hashan Chathuranga Kuruppu 

Of Sri Lanka

Thank you Very MUCH:;

Brief Description

The ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa I (477–95) lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 370 m high (the 'Lion's Rock', 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.

Sri Lanka

Central Province, Matale District

N7 57 0 E80 45 0

Date of Inscription: 1982

Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)

Ref: 202

Source: http://whc.unesco.org