Polonnaruwa is a district in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka.
Polonnaruwa is also known as the second kingdom in Sri Lanka. The kings of Sri Lanka, who named Polonnaruwa or the Pulathisipura after the kingdom of Anuradhapura have built most of the venerated monasteries, palaces and tanks in Sri Lanka.

We’re talking about one of the most important tank. It’s the Parakrama
Samudraya. When we see the blue water that spreads over a large area, we
think it is a sea. This lake with a lot of water has a very nice view.

Bluish tackling waves

You can easily reach the Parakrama Samudra from the old town of
Polonnaruwa. The bluish watercourse extending to the extremity and the cold winds of the blue streams will evade the tiredness of your face and your heart. And when you see the tackling waves, you will probably think that you are near a sea in the ​land. We are confident that the fascinating
scenery and cold waves will take you to a beautiful world.

One of the best irrigation work in Sri Lanka

Parakrama Samudra is one of the best irrigation works in Sri Lanka. The
Parakrama Samudra is a good example of how surprising the ancient
irrigation industry in Sri Lanka is.

In the past, the rulers who ruled in Ceylon showed keen interest in the
irrigation system. This was due to the fact that it was essential to keep
the water required for agricultural activities in the North Central
Province. The kings that were not interested in sending a drop of water
from the sky, without getting used to the sea, created huge tanks in the
dry zone of Sri Lanka.

King Parakramabahu the Great

This tank was built by King Parakramabahu who was a great ruler in the
Polonnaruwa kingdom. This Parakrama Samudraya also provides water for
agricultural purposes, and the city of Polonnaruaru is quite cool.

Tanks, Thopa, Eramudu and Dumutulu have been collected to build this
reservoir. The water is brought to the Parakrama Samudra by the Akasa
River. This has been built by constructing a dam across Amban Ganga and
Angamadilla river which is a tributary of the Mahaweli River. Similarly,
the waters of Girithale, Thambalawewa and Kadawalawewa feed the Parakrama Samudra.

The current reservoir is 12.38 miles [12.38 km] long. And the height is
9.45 meters. The catchment area of ​​the reservoir is 71.71 square
kilometers and its spread is 2539.5 hectares. The water capacity of the
reservoir is 134.07 cubic meters. There is a small canal seen in the
reservoir. The islands which include the ancient ruins can be seen in the
middle of Parakrama Samudra.

Statue of king Parakramabahu the Great

Near the Parakrama Samudra, there is a statue that belongs to King
Parakramabahu VI who was the founder of this tank. Many people believe that
this statue is situated in the garden near the Parakrama Samudra, although
it contains many legends. In addition, several ruins connected to the lake
are now visible in that aisle. Deepa Park, Spring Palace and the Cold
Palace are the main ones.

Visit Parakrama Samudraya

If you are willing to travel to Polonnaruwa, you will get lucky to see the
ruins, temples and many amazing irrigation works in Sri Lanka. A little
moment close to the Parakrama Samudra will be a very beautiful memory in
your memory book. If you can walk to the Parakrama Samudraya in the
evening, we can be sure that you will be able to see a very nice, beautiful
senery. In the evening without rain, the breeze on the dam will be a
journey to nature. Your eyes will be painted in front of your eyes with a
sprawling paddy field, sunny summers of the sky, and an invisible blue
water stream. You have the opportunity to see and enjoy the beauty with
your eyes. Visit Parakrama Samudraya.

This story is written so far in Colombo. That distance is more than 300 kilometers. We came to Pottuvil via Ratnapura, Monaragala and Panama. The last settlement we had in this journey was Panama. We passed Panama and came forward. From Panama, on the muddy clay road, over 20 kilometers from Panama, Okanda is found. On one side, it boarders to the shoreline and from the other side to the Kumana national park.
If you are staying the night, there is only one place suitable for that. That’s Okanda kovil. We stayed there for the night. That means in the Okanda kovil ground. When we arrived at the Okanda, it is evening. We were welcomed by a herd of wild pigs. The herd of 10-15 pigs, they perambulated in the kovil ground during the whole night. Only during a special ceremony, Okanda became a haven for a large crowd. Therefore, the animals perambulate in the surrounding of the Okanda frequently. Also we said early, that Okanda is bordered to Kumana National park. So how do the animals know the boundaries?
When we came to the temple,  firstly we received a scary advice.

“There is not only an elephant but also a Tiger near the kovil,” he said. “That’s why you should have a fire burning at night.” So, we were ready to spend the most dreadful night in our life.

The only way to get water to Okanda kovil is the jack Well. It is not easy to draw water from the well. Earlier days, people had drawn water using a bucket made of palm leaf. But now there is a metal bucket for it. Pulling a couple of water with difficulty and treading it down, you’ll end up feeling exhausted. But this is not like campingping elsewhere, because we are in a kovil ground. This is a strange experience.

We started to sleep in the night watching the stars of the sky and watching for a long time in the deep sea. But once in a while we were awaken by the wild elephant who walked around us, they did not allow us to sleep a lot on the ground of the kovil. But we did not have any trouble for the gods sake.

We’re in the East. That is the area that shakes hands with the sun before everyone. By the time 5 am, we were awaken to look beautiful of the first dawn. But we were unlucky. Because of the heavy rainfall, the sky was battered by the heavily black clouds. Okanda beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka. The main reason for it is that it has been alienated from people. In the early morning, we were very touched by the Okanda beach and we went to Okanda kovil, which is a sacred place for the Lord Kataragama.

Story behind Okanda Kovil

Now the story of Okanda kovil is being discussed. The Prince who came from India comes to Sri Lanka from the coast. Prince Skanda came to Okanda on the shoreline. The ship which he came said to be the rock on the Okanda beach called Orugala. However, the legends have been pushing the devotees from all over Sri Lanka to prove their vows. There are many Sinhalese devotees among them

Along the memory of Velgam Vehera

This story is not about today. This story belongs to history. Historical means not for 400 or 500 years. Not remember at all. This was the period of peace being discussed. The war was being continued. However, there was hope that the war would soon be over. But the war did not settle peacefully. It’s a separate story.

We did not know about the Velgam Vehera then. We spent the night in a temple in China Bay. Someone had said about the Velgam Vehera temple. They said that it was a beautiful place.So, we decided to visit Velgam Vehera after having our breakfast. It was not difficult to find the temple. The Sinhalese and the Tamils  looked at us nervously. They might think that we were not aware of such a sacred place. Perhaps they might think that these people were finding a place where people do not often go. We gradually followed the road that they said.

The city area was soon finished. After that, we hoped that there would be small Tamil-Muslim mixed cottages. But we found them only in the first 200 meters. Unfortunately, the shrubs were found and the cottages disappeared.
There are no villagers. Everywhere, only the broken houses. Everywhere, the trees full of mangoes. Some are full of ripped mangoes. That’s how the trees are. But none of us had enough time to get out of the vehicle.
The roads were broken. We didn’t travel at least 20 km per hour in speed. But they were straight. No need to stop. We did not feel bad. We thought that we would meet a junction where we will soon find a people. So we traveled ahead. We did not even turn again. Already we were near the Velgam Vehera. There was no one to ask the road even. We could not go anywhere. We could not get down. Anybody in the vehicle did not even tell a word. We traveled for thirty or forty minutes. We arrived.

There was a sign of a temple on the right side of the road. However, it was the Velgam Vehera Raja Maha Viharaya. We entered with a great comfort because we had not seen a man for two hours. When we arrived at the temple, there were only the soldiers and some civilians in the temple.
They told us about Velgam Vehera Raja Maha Viharaya.

This village has been attacked several times by the Terrorists.

The villagers and the monks of the Velgam Vehera temple were been killed by the terrorists. They had always come to this place. The innocents were been killed brutally.

There were so many things that were happening then. At the time, there were so many valuable things in this temple. There are ruins since the last royal tribute, until the motor which is not blasted. So, no details are needed. The roads are comfortable now. So come and visit.
This is the Velgam Vehera Raja Maha Viharaya

We can find the dogs lovers all around the world. Someone loves their pets more than their life. Those people have been lived not from today. The love stories like that still exist in some places in the world. They have become very popular destinations of the travelers. Also, people treat animals with love not just because they love it.

In fact, sometimes these pets serve people. The word used to say that they serve people may not suitable in some times. So we say that it is not serving.

These animals can help us in what we cannot do. It’s the real story. This is a story related to such an event. But this is not a story about animals. It’s a separate story related to animals. The story is about three hundred and sixty-nine years old. If not this place had been created in 1943. As you imagined, this is a colonial speech.

“Yes,
It’s really a story of a colony … “

The colonial epoch is the Portuguese era, which is in 1623. We can tell the exact details as this is the story with timelines.

“Timelines…. ????”

When we say one thing like this, you can not imagine what we are about to. Because travellers do not need stories on,

“Loving cats and dogs …….”

But try to seach on the stories to find the past. The destination is Trincomalee. Outside from Colombo. Away from here. From a distance of two hundred and sixty five kilometers from Colombo.
So it will take six or seven hours for this trip to be no dangerous to you all.

Okay, this is the place. There’s a tomb built in colonial times for their dogs. This tomb is now helpless. So, come on before this old memory dies. This is a wonderful story.

“Who are the dogs?”

This is the question you get same as us.

“It must have been pets…”

This is the first argument.

“Can this happen?”

Find it out

“It’s not possible.”

It’s very clear to us. Because pets are kept in the ancient time too. We have said earlier, Vijaya saw a dog before he even saw Kuweni. Though people love animals, not everyone treats them as special. It means that an animal is usually buried in a box and holding funerals. That’s why there is no way to form a burial ground. It may be a result of a specific program.

The dogs at that time had a royal recognition.
Should a dog ever be a royal worker? What if they’re royal? These are royal officers who serve in the government.

“The dogs … ???”

Yes, these dogs worked for the military service of the government. However, the tombs are getting old with the time. If you come to visit Trincomalee side, go ahead and visit the tomb of these dogs. I’ll tell you exactly where to find it. It’s not hard to find. Come to Trincomalee. Then come to Fredrick Fort and there you will find in this tomb. That is the place.

Polonnaruwa – The Ancient City

Nowadays, people are talking about Polonnaruwa very much. That is because of the present president is from Polonnaruwa. Today Polonnaruwa is quite royal. Many things are being constructing. Development is being carried out in Polonnaruwa. But this is the story of a long history.

Ancient Architecture

Usually we are not talking so much about ancient architecture in Sri Lanka.
But I think it is topic to talk about immediately. We can argue that it is
because of Polonnaruwa. For example we can use two or three places at
Polonnaruwa.

The Hatadageya

There is a building which is built in a day in Polonnaruwa. In early times,
one day contains 60 hours. That s called ‘ Hata da’. However, this is not
built in 60 hours, but in 60 days. This incredible creation is called the
‘Hatadageya’.

Hatadageya has been used as the temple of tooth. It was built by king
Nishshankamalla. Although it is made of stone, wood and bricks, only stones and bricks of the walls are preserved. Although it is a two storey
building, only one floor is left. Three statues of Lord Budda, made of
stone is remain in the shrining room.

Hatadageya is located in the ancient Polonnaruwa district of North Central
province of Sri Lanka. The quaternary section of the oldest and the most
sacred monument in the city is the Temple of Tooth. Hatadageya is located
near the nothern edge of it. The Polonnaruwa ‘Watadageya’ is located in
front of it and the ‘Atadageya’ is located to the west.

Hatadageya was built by the king Nishshankamalla (1187 – 1196) as the
temple of tooth. As mentioned in Poojawaliya, Rajawaliya and the Galpotha
inscription, the Hatadageya was built in 60 hours. That means a day
according to the past. The name Hatadageya has been arrived from that.
There is also a view that the name Hatadageya has been arrived because it
was made for 60 monks.

The Hatadageya was of two storeys. The Tooth Relic might be placed in the
upper storey of Hatadageya. The roof was made of wood and tiles. Among the stone pillars we can find 3 inscriptions written by king Nishshankamalla.

Today we cannot see these as in the past. Instead of those, we can only see
the ruins of Hatadageya. No matter if it is built in 60 days or 60 hours,
It is an amazing creation. So, we invite you to visit Hatadageya.

Kallady palama pamula sindu kiwa maluwo
Ai golu gahune..
Sitharayata wedi wadunada yaluwo..
Sitharayata wedi wadunada yaluwo..


Maha polawa ithin dekata thunata
Bedi yawi yaluwo..
Ganga maha muhuda kalapu 
Nobedewida yaluwo..
Ubala koi desa koi ratakata yanawada maluwo..


Kallady palama pamula sindu kowa maluwo…


Ape uthuru dakunu sangeethaya
Dekata bedeyi yaluwo..
Mrudanga gata bera hadawath
Pali yawi yaluwo..
Ubalage sindu ithin
Koi rateda maluwo..


Kallady palama pamula sindu kiwa maluwo…

Amazing Singing Fishes

The voice of the singing artist Mr. Kapuge slips to the vaccumes of our heart. At the moment we hear it, the vaccums fills up. But we cannot get rid of past memories because it flashes back us to our past. Indeed, this country was actually burned in the past and it burned in our hearts too. Not only at the foot of the Kalldy Bridge but the whole Batticaloa was burned up. But fortunately, it was fixed. But we still feel that fire. The singing fishes were founded dumb. We are still looking for that memory. But now, neither singing fishes nor singing artist Mr.Kapuge was present. Not even the war. Again, no gunshot. Batticaloa is silent. But the hearts cry. That silence is a pain in some times. 

Batticaloa Gate

We are not about to talk about the Kallady Bridge. It is about the Batticaloa Gate near the Kallady Bridge. There are several ways to get to the Batticaloa Gate. Either above the Kallady Bridge or under the Kallady Bridge. We think that the way under the Kallady Bridge is the best. This is a place full of music where the Portuguese drank red wine and sang.

Kalame Island 

Often, most people do not aware of this place. The Batticaloa Gate and the Gandhi Park are very close to the lives of the people. Both of these were located on the island of Puliyanthivu. A long time ago, that means before the arrival of British to Sri Lanka, the Kaleme island has been separated from the main island. Everything was done with this island with boats. The inhabitants of this island who come to the main island with boats have anchored their boats by the Batticaloa Gate in past. It is a one story that belongs to the Batticaloa Gate. 

Excellent work by British

Batticaloa is an area where Methodology was strongly oriented in the past. The two Methodist clerics George Earskain and William Ollt, who were standed by this Methodist story have landed near this gate in 1814. Then, it is said that Batticaloa is fully overturned. But do not take this story religious. However , the Batticaloa Fortress is located very close to the Batticaloa Gate. On one hand, it faces the lagoon and on the other hand it is easy to get there from the land. Anyway, those are the works of British.

Visit Batticaloa 

Today, the Batticaloa Gate is not being used to enter Batticaloa. But if you wish, you can get to Batticaloa under this Batticaloa Gate. It is very beautiful to see Batticaloa when the sun is rising. So, come to this region at the dawn and enjoy your life by the breeze blowing through the silver sea under the blue sky of Batticaloa.