Kalpitiya,Sri Lanka

Placed 150 km north of the capital, Colombo, the Kalpitiya region is one of the most beautiful coastal areas located in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. Kalpitiya is a peninsular that separates the Puttalam lagoon from the Indian Ocean and is a marine sanctuary with a diversity of habitats ranging from bar reefs, flat coastal plains, saltpans, mangroves swamps, salt marshes and vast sand dune beaches.

Tourist Attractions Within The Zone Near Islands at Dutch Bay and Portugal Bay Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary- 307 km2 of Sea having most valuable rich Bio-Diversity Value Sea Turtles Fisheries Ornamental fish collection Lobster capturing Sea Cucumber Collection Dolphins Whales Mangroves Flora and Fauna Historical Monuments Birds and Butterflies Natural Botanical Gardens. Beaches Natural Forest Estuaries and Lagoons Sea grass beds Dolphin Watching Kalpitiya is the best place if you are interested in seeing Dolphins. During November to  March is the best season to go Dolphin Watching off Kalpitiya. Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary The Bar Reef is a large patch reef off Kalpitiya, on the northwest coast of Sri Lanka. In 1992 the Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary was established covering an area of 306 square kilometers that included shallow patch reefs, deep sandstone reefs and seagrass beds.The Reef is simply world class and full of marine fish life including Butterflyfish, Bannerfish, Parrotfish, Groupers,manta rays, reef sharks and the occasional turtles.  The Reef is very shallow. Great care must be taken not to sail over the reef. Entry to the reef should be done with the boat anchored on the sandy area away from the reef. While diving is possible it is unnecessary as it can be accessed easily by snorkeling. Diving and Snorkelling are not possible during the southwest monsoon period (May to November). The best times are therefore between late November and early May. Transportation to dive/Snorkelling sites is by a fibre glass dinghy of 25 horse power engine.The underwater currents in the seas off Kalpitiya are generally not strong, but are influenced by small tide changes of two high water and two low water tides. The underwater temperature is approximately 75°F so no wetsuits are required kitesurfing This peninsula, surrounded on one side by the  Indian Ocean and on the other by Puttalam’s lagoon,  is the perfect place for kitesurfing, with several spots  for beginners as well as advanced riders.The trade  winds blow from the Arabian seas to the Indian  Ocean, enabling travel to the Indian subcontinent  and then make a U-turn to crash into the North  West Coast of Sri Lanka. During the South  East monsoon period of May till September, gale  force winds of over 25 knots, blow consistently. The Srilanka KiteSchool is located on the peninsula of Kalpitya, 2hrs drive from the  international airport of Colombo-Kutanayake. Fully catered accomodation for Kite School participants or advanced kiters in 6 comfortable newly built bungalows looking out onto the  Indian Ocean. The team will cook delicious healthy meals with the fish, prawns and vegetables  that come directly from the sea and gardens of the surrounding villages. The atmosphere is peaceful, a kind of comfortable camping…Certified Instructors can give you Kitesurf courses   Leo, Mischi, Todd and Mike are available to conduct IKO certified courses.They can share  their passion during beach sessions, and also guide you on ‘down wind’ expeditions or kite  trips to desert islets.

Tourist Attractions Within 50 Km Distance Wilpattu Sanctuary Historical Dutch Fort and Church Anuradhapura - Ancient City St.Anne's Church- Thalawila

The government proposed the development of 14 islands in the Kalpitiya area aimed at promoting tourism.

Proposed Types of Tourism for the Development Zone Fishing Tourism Deep Sea Diving Nature Based Tourism Beach Tourism Sport and Adventure Tourism Agro Tourism Culture Tourism Village Tourism Event Tourism

Special Developments in the Zone Domestic Air Port - Uchchamunai Under Water Amusement Park - Kandakkuliya Golf Course - Dutch Bay Race Course - Kalpitiya Cricket Playground - Kalpitiya

Following Investment Opportunities will be available at the Proposed Tourism Area Luxury accommodation units to attract up-market Tourists Hotels, Chalets, Water Bungalows, Aurvedic Hotels, Beach Cabanas, Sun Huts, Out Door Barbeque pits, Open Air Performance Areas Low Cost accommodation units for Budget Travelers Domestic Airport and Travels Theme / Amusement Parks Underwater Amusement Park Cable Car Tours High Speed Boat Safaris Water Sports Golf Course - 18 Hole Observation Towers Camping Sites Training Schools- Tourism and Hotel Management Diving Water Sports Botanical Gardens Agro and Livestock Farms Hot Air Balloon Transports Hospital Race Course Cricket Playground Travel and Tour Operators Handicrafts and Souvenir Shops Gem and Jeweler Shops Information and Interpretation Centers Museum Cultural, Art, Entertainment Centers

Infrastructure Facilities Standard of the present Infrastructure facilities to Islands and to the proposed resort area are either at a very low level or in adequate.There for it is imperative that new facilities are to be developed to meet the present day standard and recumbents of the resort. In this context Sri Lanka Tourist Board will work hand in hand with the Privet sector and Government to provide the necessary facilities on priority basis as the overall developments demands. Battalangunduwa: Foot pathways, Cycling Routes, Helipad, Sea Flight Port , Jetties, Electricity, Water, Drainage, Telecommunication, Solid and Liquid Disposal Systems. Palliyawatta: Foot Pathways, Cycling Routes, Helipad, Sea Flight Port, Jetties, Electricity, Water, Drainage, Telecommunication, Solid and Liquid Disposal System. Ippantivu: Foot Pathways, Nature Trails, Cycling Routes, Sea Flight Port , Jetties, Electricity, Water, Drainage, Telecommunication, Solid and Liquid Disposal system. Periya Arichchalai: Foot Pathways, Nature Trails, Sea Flight Port, Jetties, Electricity, Water, Drainage, Telecommunication, Solid and Liquid Disposal System Eramutivu: Foot Pathways, Nature Trails, Sea Flight Port, Jetties, Electricity, Water, Drainage, Telecommunication, Solid and Liquid Disposal System. Mutwal (Dutch Bay ): Roads, Pedestrian Pathways, Cycling Routes, Nature Trails, Jetties, Railways, Electricity, Water, Drainage, Telecommunication, Solid and Liquid Disposal System.

Hotels, Villas and Boutique Hotels in Kalpitiya  Turtle Point Lodge - Kalpitiya This is 3 bed roomed cottage in a 2 acre land by the beach. No Electricity. Place is illuminated with Hurricane lamps. This is an ideal place for Thalawila St. Annes Church Pilgrimage Crowds. Kalpitiya Lagoon Cottage 2 bedroom Kalpitiya Lagoon Cottage will be available for guests this season. This is an ideal place for Thalawila St. Annes Church Pilgrimage Crowds. Dolphin View Eco Lodge Nestled between the sea, the lagoon and the salt pans at the tip of the Kalpitiya town lies Dolphin View Eco Lodg, a Robinson Crusoe hideaway, two hours from the main international airport. Alankuda Beach Hotel Sri Lanka - Kalpitiya Situated on an undiscovered and deserted two kilometer stretch of a pristine private beach, Alankuda Beach offers a truly relaxing, discrete and romantic getaway. Dolphin Beach - Kalpitiya In Sri Lanka, just two hours from the airport and three hours north of Colombo, is an unspoilt peninsula of golden sand. Here lies a blissfully secluded resort with luxury tented accommodation. The bluest of skies melts seamlessly into the azure of the In Lagoon Lodge Kalpitiya Lagoon Lodge Kalpitiya offers a thatched, wattle & daub cottage with 3 bedrooms, common bath and shower for a close to nature experience in comfort. Palagama Beach On the west coast of Sri Lanka, nestled on the ancient Kalpitiya peninsula, lies Palagama Beach. Ruwala - Kalpitiya Ruwala Resort is a fusion of a rustic eco-retreat and adventure-park on the banks of the scenic Puttlam lagoon.

Sigiriya Rock Fortress,Sri Lanka

Sigiriya lion's gate  

Sigiriya is a unique witness to the civilization of Ceylon during the years of the reign of Kassapa I. The site of the 'Lion Mountain' was visited from the 6th century AD, by passionate admirers. The frescoes of Sigiriya inaugurated a pictorial style which endured over many centuries. The poems inscribed on the rock by certain of these admirers, and known as the 'Sigiri graffiti,' are among the most ancient texts in the Sinhalese language, and thus show the considerable influence exerted by the abandoned city of Kassapa I on both literature and thought.

In the heart of Ceylon, the extraordinary site of Sigiriya, a lofty rock of reddish gneiss dominating, from a height of some 150 m, the neighbouring plateau, has been inhabited since the 3rd century BC, as attested by the graffiti which proliferate in the grottoes and the shelters of the Buddhist monks. The fame of the 'Lion Mountain' is, however, due to one single factor: during a short period in the 5th century AD, a sovereign established his capital there. King Kassapa I (477-95), son of Dhatusena, only came to power after he had engineered the assassination of his father and had, briefly, dispossessed his brother.

Justly fearing the vengeance of the latter, Kassapa had a fortified palace built on the rock of Sigiriya which was reputed to be impregnable. However, it was there that he was defeated after a short but cruel battle in 495, following which he cut his throat. After the death of Kassapa, Moggallana returned the site of Sigiriya to the monks, thus condemning it to progressive abandonment. During the eleven years that Kassapa resided in Sigiriya, he created a residence of exceptional splendour and founded his capital there, impressive vestiges of which are still extant.

At the summit of the rock is the fortified palace with its ruined buildings, its cisterns and its rock sculptures. At the foot of the rock are the two quarters of the lower city which are defended by a massive wall: the eastern quarter (perhaps postdating the 5th century), which has not been sufficiently excavated, and the aristocratic quarter of the capital of Kassapa I, noteworthy for its terraced gardens embellished by canals and fountains, as well as for numerous monumental remains which have been disengaged from the forest which had invaded the ruins.

Sigiriya summit ruins

Sigiriya ruins on lower grounds

Halfway up the rock, within an inaccessible rocky shelter in the vertical wall of the western face are rock paintings which have brought universal acclaim to the site of Sigiriya - 'The Maidens of the Clouds', 21 non-identified female figures, comparable to the most beautiful creations of Ajanta.

Source: UNESCO/CLT/WHC

Sigiriya fresco 

Sigiriya fresco

Sigiriya graffiti (Kurutu gee)

Sigiriya visitors