8 UNESCO World Heritage Properties

Ancient City of Polonnaruwa

Inscribed 1982 · Ref. 201 · North Central Province

Medieval capital with Brahmanic monuments and the colossal rock-cut Buddhas of the Gal Vihara.

Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Inscribed 1982 · Ref. 200 · North Central Province

Ancient royal capital and Buddhist pilgrimage centre with monasteries, stupas and the sacred Bo tree.

Ancient City of Sigiriya

Inscribed 1982 · Ref. 202 · Central Province

Rock citadel of King Kashyapa (5th c. CE) with frescoes, mirror wall and landscaped water gardens.

Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications

Inscribed 1988 · Ref. 451 · Southern Province

Fortified city founded by the Portuguese and developed by the Dutch, blending European and South Asian traditions.

Sacred City of Kandy

Inscribed 1988 · Ref. 450 · Central Province

Last royal capital of the Sinhala kings, home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple

Inscribed 1991 · Ref. 561 · Central Province

Sacred cave monastery with extensive Buddhist mural paintings and statues across five sanctuaries.

Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Inscribed 1988 · Ref. 405 · Sabaragamuwa Province

Last viable area of primary tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka, rich in endemic species.

Central Highlands of Sri Lanka

Inscribed 2010 · Ref. 1203 · Central Province

Peak Wilderness, Horton Plains and Knuckles: montane forests of exceptional biodiversity.