Ruhunukanda Forest Reserve is located in the Kalutara district and has a high level of biodiversity.
This Ruhunukanda forest is adjacent to the Singhraja forest and is a popular destination for local and foreign tourists and researchers. The forest is home to a variety of birds, reptiles, insect species, toad species, mammals and very rare species of butterflies. The Maguru River flows through the forest of the Ruhunu Hills, adding to its appeal. This is called an evergreen rain forest. Ruhunukanda forest is home to 52 different bird species.
The period from December to March has been identified as the best time to visit the Ruhunu Kanda ecosystem. The reason is the decrease in rainfall during that period.
Pettagangala is one of the most spectacular logans of the island
at this temple not far from Varana. It is part of the cluster of
ancient monasteries known as Siyane Korales, located the the
south and west of Yakkala, which is at the Colombo-Kandy main
road (A1). Pettagangala is one of the many cave temples in the
vicinity of the highlands that claims to have been a hideout of
the famous King Walagamba, known as Vatthagamani Abhaya
from the chronicles, who had to flee from Anuradhapura due to
a Tamil invasion
Negombo Fort was a small but important fort in Negombo,
approx. 30 km (19 mile) north of Colombo, that was built by
the Portuguese to defend Colombo. The fort was located on a
narrow strip of land between a lagoon and an inlet of the sea.
It was surrounded by a dry moat, and the gate was accessed
via a drawbridge. The original Portuguese fort was a weak
structure, which was captured by Dutch forces commanded
by Philip Lucasz, in February 1640. The Portuguese made
several attempts to retake it before they were successful in
December 1640. They then strengthened the fortifications and
managed to defend the fort until it was recaptured by the
Dutch, commanded by Francois Caron, in January 1644. The
original bastions were destroyed by the Dutch cannons during
the siege of the fort. The Dutch subsequently rebuilt it in 1672
however not on the usual square pattern, but on a pentagonal
one, though it had only four bulwarks, the fifth was never
constructed (possibly due to the cost).