South West Coast

Bentota is a popular resort in Sri Lanka for outdoor enthusiasts. It offers more than enough to make your vacation exciting. A boat cruise on the Bentota River is a must-do while visiting Bentota, as are other water sports activities such as water skiing, windsurfing, banana rides, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, tube rides, sea diving, snorkelling, and surfing. If you’re new to the world of water sports, there are experienced instructors available to ensure you get the most out of your time on the water.

This tropical villa on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast served as Bawa’s muse and his country getaway. His work at Lunuganga is claimed to have sparked his interest in architecture and inspired him to leave his law career to become the island’s most recognised architect.

Bevis Bawa, the brother of famed Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, created Brief Gardens as an architectural landscaping masterpiece. Brief Gardens is a stunning and excellent location. Visit the old house, which features a diverse collection of artwork, including a mural portraying traditional Sri Lankan life in the style of Marc Chagall and a variety of pieces painted by local artists.

All seven marine turtle species are threatened globally. Five of these seven come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka. It’s fascinating to watch marine turtles hatching, hatchlings being born, then swimming back to sea. The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, which primarily functions as an incubator, is an excellent spot to see gathered and rescued eggs hatch and subsequently be safely released into the sea.

Discover a fascinating assortment of puppet figures from well-known plays. In old Ceylon, the traditional folk theatre of Sri Lankan puppetry was a significant form of entertainment. Finally, settle in for a colourful puppet performance comprised of three acts performed to the exhilarating beats of folk music. Backstage, you would see the puppeteers handling the string puppets from an extended bench above the stage floor. You can even try your hand at puppetry with the assistance of a professional puppeteer.

Batik and mask have recently become important elements of Sri Lankan arts and crafts. Ambalangoda is well-known for its arts and crafts and is home to several exquisite old temples. For ages, traditional masks have played an essential role in Sri Lankan culture and folklore, used for theatrical performances and traditional rituals. Traditional folk dances feature a variety of masks symbolising heroes, villains, gods, and demons. Each of these masks is delicately carved and then hand-painted to imbue the emotion into the wood. Embark on a journey through Sri Lanka’s tie-and-dye industry. Ambalangoda, popularly known as ‘Batik,’ is well-renowned for its artistic activity on cloth, décor, and accessories.