Kande Vihara, also known as the Mountain Temple, is a significant Buddhist temple situated in the Kalutara District of Sri Lanka. It stands atop a hill near Aluthgama town. Founded in 1734 by Karapagala Dewamitta Thero, the temple has undergone renovations over the years, becoming a major Buddhist shrine in the country. Notably, it houses a 48-meter-tall Samadhi Buddha statue, one of the tallest sitting Buddha statues globally. The temple complex includes a stupa, Bodhi tree, relic chamber, image house, and other devalas. The ancient Bodhi tree here is believed to be over 300 years old.
Bellanwila-Attidiya Bird Sanctuary (බෙල්ලන්විල අත්තිඩිය අභය භූමිය) is a hidden gem for birdwatchers near Colombo. Situated near the Bellanwila Viharaya in the Colombo District, this sanctuary covers 372 hectares. The sanctuary features forested wetlands, including mangrove swamps and freshwater swamps. Early mornings are magical here, as dawn breaks, observe the rich bird life freely moving around, preening themselves for the day. Silhouetted against the orange dawn, visitors might even glimpse the dark outline of the Adam’s Peak mountain range. A study by the Society for Environmental Education recorded 166 bird species in the area, with most being residential and around 40 migratory. Rare birds include the Indian Shag, Blue Breasted Banded Tail, and Ruddy Crake. Visitors might spot the elusive Glossy Ibis, believed to be migratory. The sanctuary also hosts 71 species of butterflies and 44 species of fish.
The fishermen who are based at the Negombo lagoon live rely mainly on their traditional knowledge of the seasons for their livelihood, using outrigger canoes carved out of tree trunks and nylon nets to bring in modest catches from September through April. Their boats are made in two forms – oruvas (a type of sailing canoe) and paruvas (a large, man-powered catamaran fitted with kurlon dividers). The men are regularly forced to head out to the ocean to fish, often losing money in the chartering process.
Gampaha District happens to be one of the key places in the country to have rich fertile soil that enable to grow any fruit or a vegetable including paddy
