This document provides an itinerary for a 3 day summer trip to the east coast of Sri Lanka. The trip will involve sightseeing of various natural and cultural landmarks along the coast, including Sigiriya, Ritigala Nature Reserve, Welgam Vehera temple, Pigeon Island National Park, Kinniya Hot Springs, Fort Frederick, Koneswaram Temple, and Lankapatuna Viharaya temple. The group will stay in eco-lodges and visit beaches, forests, and historical sites while enjoying the scenery, wildlife, and cultural heritage of the east coast region.

1. SUMMER TRIP
Another looooong weekend is coming up. We’ll off to the east coast for what is sure to
be an action packed three days tour. As can be expected the ever captivating
landscapes, heritage and the wilderness of the island will made for ideal photo ops as
we will be cruising along. Good times would be with splashing sea, sand and grass. We
gonna experience every aspects of archeological, unspoiled nature and fun filled
hangout at coexist in amazing amity of east costal sandy beaches.
27th
OCT – 29th
OCT
East Coastal
Habarana – Trinco – Pasikudah -Polonnaruwa
Dasun Tharanga

2. DAY 01
Departure: 0500
Breakfast: Juiceez – Ambepussa
The fresh fruit juice, “Juiceez” outlets managed by CIC Agri Businesses will
serve a variety of fresh fruit juices for the weary travelers who stop over for
a quick thirst quencher. CIC Agri Businesses has identified the growing
demand for fresh fruit Juices and has already opened thirteen“Juiceez”
outlets in Dambulla, Ambepussa, Kandy, Rajagiriya, Jawatta,Nawam
Mawatha,NCC,Narahenpita, Pelawatta,Orion City, Asiri Central Hospital and
Maris Stella college Negambo.
Sigiriya: Sigiriya (Lion's rock, Sinhalese - සීගිරිය) is a town with a large stone and
ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central Matale District of Central
Province, Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of
gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination,
Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos), which are
reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. It is one of the eight World
Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
Lunch: Jetwing Vil Uyana
This hotel was possibly the first in the
world to create a man-made wetland with
a spectrum of water-based and forested
habitats on land previously used for slash
and burn agriculture thereby greatly
increasing the area’s biodiversity.
Presently 80 species of birds, 17 species
of mammals, 36 species of butterflies and 21 species of amphibians are
found within hotel premises
Ritigala: Ritigala mountain range consists of four
peaks of which the main and the highest
peak at the south of the range is named
Ritigala Kanda. Ritigala mountain range, a
3776-acre (1582 ha) Strict Nature
Reserve, one of the well inventoried bio
diversity hot spots in the Dry Zone of Sri
Lanka is managed by Department of Wildlife of Sri Lanka together with
Forest Department of Sri Lanka.

3. Tampita Viharaya: When king Wasamba is time
period while Sangamittha monk was
bringing srimaha bodi, she was tired so
she stoped in Habarana. In that moment
sporout of sri maha bodi was planted
there according to folk, this body is now in
tampita Raja Maha Viharaya.
Check in: Eco Lodge - Habarana
Journey Back to basics...........
This Eco lodge will give you a real
experience with simple clay huts blending
into beautiful surrounding of
“Karandagaswewa”. A unique watch hut
made to give you a panoramic view of the
environment and to watch the herds of elephants that cross the wewa. You
can choose to relax in a hammock and admire the birdlife or take a nature
style bath at the freshwater well or in Karandagaswewa.
Situated along the Habarana - Trincomalee road & hidden away amid the
lush dense greenery of Habarana facing the Karandagas Wewa.
DAY 02
Breakfast: Eco Lodge - Habarana
Departure: 0700
Welgam Vehera: According to the historical facts,
the Vegam Rajamaha Viharaya was done
by king Devanampiyathissa. Later on some
additions and renovations were done by
first Bathiya, Second Agkbo, first
Vijayabahu and first Parakramabahu.
The most important point is this temple
was that this was warshiped by both Sinhala and Tamil Buddhist. That is one
of the reasons that Vilgam Vehera was not destroyed by south Indian Chola
invasions in 10th century.

4. Nilaweli: Nilaveli (Pronounced Nilaa-Veli, Tamil translation Open-land of the moon-
shine) is a coastal resort town located about 20 km North-West
of Trincomalee, Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka. It used to be a popular
tourist destination, however due to 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and Sri
Lankan Civil War tourist numbers have declined.
Pigeon Island: Pigeon Island National Park is one of the
two marine national parks of Sri Lanka.
The national park is situated 1 km off the
coast of Nilaveli, a coastal town
in Eastern Province. The island's name
derives from the Rock Pigeon which has
colonized it. The national park contains
some of the best remaining coral reefs of
Sri Lanka. Pigeon Island was designated as a sanctuary in 1963. In 2003 it
was re-designated as a national park. This national park is the 17th in Sri
Lanka. The island was used as a shooting range during the colonial era.
Pigeon Island is one of the several protected areas affected by the Indian
Ocean tsunami in 2004.
Kinniya Hot Water: According to the details provided
in some information boards at the site,
Kanniya Hot water spring has the history
from the King Rawana era. It says that
King Ravana stuck the earth with his
sward in several spots and several
fountains were started on those places.
The water was hot and thats the
beginning of this hot water springs. Some believes that this is a part of the
Buddhist Monastery and Buddhist Monk used this place as a part of their
complex. There are some old ruins scattered over the area. It seems that
most of those historical artifacts were destroyed in the war time. With the
end of the war, many people visiting this Kanniya Hot Water spring in their
trip to Trincomalee. People believe that this hot water is good for some skin
deceases and it has healing power for Arthritis and Rheumatic.
Fort Fredrick: Portuguese built Fort Frederick in 1624 is
located on the small peninsula jutting out
of the Trincomalee town. The Fort is
operating as a military base however
guests are allowed to walk through it. The

5. entire fort is outlined by a wall constructed of stone, the most attractive
feature of the fort is the gateway constructed in 1675. Fort Frederick is of
interest because located inside the grounds are many buildings constructed
according to Colonial architecture. Wellesley Lodge sometimes referred to
as Wellington House is the greatest example of the colonial influence. It is
believed that Arthur Wellesley, who proceeded to become the Duke of
Wellington lived here while recovering from an illness. In addition to the
Colonial styled buildings visitors have the opportunity to view the resident
herd of deer. Those interested in exploring the Koneswaram Kovil would
have to tread their way through the fort.
Koneswaram: Koneswaram Temple is also known as
Tirukoneswaram Kovil (Hindu temple) which is
situated on top of Swami Rock. This temple is
dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, and it is one
out of five such temples situated around Sri
Lanka. It is believed that this Kovil has been in
existence since 2500 years ago, and was
renovated by the south Indian Chola king
Kulakottan and maintained by other Sinhala
Buddhist kings. In 1622 the Portuguese destroyed
this temple which they referred to as the temple of a thousand columns by
shoving the temple over the edge of the cliff into the deep blue seas below.
The revered Shiva lingam (mark of Shiva) was subsequently rescued by
divers. The Portuguese used the building materials of the temple in the
construction of Fort Fredrick.
At the bottom of the hill which leads to Swami rock in an ancient stone
inscription with the symbol of king Kulakottan - the dual fish. With a
prophecy stating that after 1500 years Westerners with different eye colours
will rule the country for 500 years. Visitors to the temple could take part in
the evening or morning pooja (prayer service) or obtain a blessing from the
swami (priest) at the kovil. The temple is also worthwhile visiting for its
gorgeous views of the natural harbor as well as the Indian Ocean.
Lovers Leap: This is located on top of Swami Rock, next to
the Koneswaram temple. This vantage point
commemorates the tragic end of a love affair.
This point is situated at an abrupt end of a rocky
cliff that is 350 feet above sea level. The
daughter of an Old Dutch general named
Francina Van Rhede who attempted to commit

6. suicide when her lover abandoned her and sailed back to Europe, is the
legend behind this famous site. However she survived the fall and according
to government archive records she subsequently got married after eight
years. However till to this day there is a shelter and a memorial built to
commemorate Francine Van Rhede. If the conflicted history of this site is not
of interest to visitors, this site should be visited for the magnificent sites it
has to offer
IOC Tank Farm: solid huge oil storage tank built by the
British, lay crumpled, steel melted and in
ruins on the impact of the Japanese
fighter jet pilot ramming it in order to
destroy the tank farm during World War
II. Since it was getting dark and stories of
wild elephants frequenting this jungle at
dusk.
Lankapatuna: Lanka Putuna Viharaya in Trincomalee is
one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Sri
Lanka. It dates back to the time it was
brought to Sri Lanka during the reign of
king Kithsiri Mewan also known as Kirthi
Sri Meghawanna (303-331) who was the
son of king Mahasen. The Dalada was
brought to Sri Lanka concealed in the
tresses of princess Hemamala daughter of King Guhaseeva of Kalinga who
was accompanied by her husband prince Dantha whose father was the king
of Udeni, the prince and his party were disguised as Brahmins and
disembarked at the Illangathurai Harbour in the Kottiar pattu of
Trincomalee. It was then known as Lanka Patuna and the oldest temple was
Samudragiri Viharaya the fate of which is worth examining.
Seruwawila: During the reign of Kavantissa (2nd
century B.C.) the Kingdom of Ruhuna was
threatened by invaders. The king had to
evolve a strategy to prevent a disaster. He
was very well aware that there was a
buffer state of Seru on the north eastern
seaboard of Sri Lanka which was ruled by

7. a prince by the name of Siva. The King finally had been able to solve the
problem avoiding military confrontation and as a result he had to build a
Stupa at Seruwila.
Check in: Ashram - is not a word. It is an
abbreviation of the long name of a local
inter-religious mission in the eastern part
of Srilanka. “Ashram for Human Self
Reliance and Meditation” was founded in
2003 with a lot of planning by its founder
director rev. Pon. Anandarajah. The quiet
atmosphere of Ashram is contributed by
Pasikudah beach.
DAY 03
Departure: 0630
Breakfast: Maalu Maalu - Built on the concept of a
traditional Sri Lankan fishing village, or
“Waadiya” as it is colloquially termed, the
simple eco friendly architecture is
inspired by the wooden clad dwellings of
a typical fisherman’s hut, a unique touch
among all Pasikuda hotels. The 40 rooms
and adjoining public areas are designed
to seamlessly blend with the surrounding environment. Each chalet with its
cadjan roof elegantly highlights the indigenous Sri Lankan culture; the
modern amenities are subtlety introduced, tastefully combining the old with
the new.
Pasikudah:
Passikudah(Pasikuda) on the Eastern coast is a sleepy fishing village 28 kilometres North of
the capital city of the district. The bay of Passikudah is truly scenic and is protected by a reef
that runs across the bay making it one of the safest and calmest stretches of coastline in the

8. east. The reef is home to some lovely coral formations and schools of reef fish can be seen
while snorkelling. The beaches are dotted with palm and palmyrah trees and the sand is soft
and smooth to the touch.
However Passikudah and its environs are gearing up for development and growth as the
Tourist Development Authority has earmarked 156 acres of land for development converting
Passikudah into a Tourist Zone. Part of the land will be developed to provide common
infrastructure while the rest of the 100 acres have been allocated for hotel development
projects. Once completed it is expected that there will be over 900 star class rooms in
Passikudah.
Sacred 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.
Lunch: Hotel Sudu Araliya
Journey to Polonnaruwa; ancient Capital City of Ceylon and seat of
power of Parakrama, High King of a Majestic era. Beside the banks of
the Parakrama Samudra Reservoir, (the second largest inland body of
water) surrounded by lush foliage, and serenaded by birds…. You will
encounter “Hotel Sudu Araliya” situated on the banks of Parakrama
Samudraya - a heaven for the discerning traveler.
PROCEED TO COLOMBO