**Galle **
-**Galle-** is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the southwestern tip, 119 km (74 mi) from Colombo. Galle is the provincial capital and largest city of Southern Province, Sri Lanka and is the capital of Galle District. Galle was known as Gimhathiththa before the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century, when it was the main port on the island. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, during the Dutch colonial period. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by the Portuguese in South and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between Portuguese architectural styles and native traditions.. The city was extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. The Galle fort is a World Heritage Site and is the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers..
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| Image by Buddhika Bandara from Pixabay |
**Galle Fort**
-**Galle Fort-** in the Bay of Galle on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, was built first in 1588 by the Portuguese, then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century from 1649 onwards. It is a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage monument, which even after more than 432 years maintains a polished appearance, due to extensive reconstruction work done by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka.
-**Today, it houses a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population, making it a fascinating blend of history and contemporary life. The UNESCO has recognized its heritage value, inscribing it as a cultural heritage World Heritage Site for its unique exposition of “an urban ensemble which illustrates the interaction of European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th centuries” 1. Galle Fort withstands the test of time, having even survived the Boxing Day tsunami, and continues to be a captivating destination for travelers and history enthusiasts alike.
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| Photo by Oliver Frsh on Unsplash |
**Galle International Stadium**
-**Galle International Stadium-** situated near Galle Fort and fringed on two sides by the Indian Ocean, stands as one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. Before being brought up to international cricket standards, it was known as ‘The Esplanade’, and is the home ground of the Galle Cricket Club.
-**The ground was built in 1876 as a racecourse, but eventually, racing ceased, and the ground became a hub for cricket matches. The first school cricket match played at this venue, then known as the ‘Galle Esplanade’, dates back to May 1888. The Richmond-Mahinda Annual Cricket Encounter, which began in 1905 at this venue, is one of the longest cricket match series in Sri Lanka, having been played for over 100 years. In 1927, the ground was officially declared as a cricket stadium. It hosted its first first-class match on 29 February 1984. The assistance of the Colombo Cricket Club was taken to introduce a turf wicket in 1945. Since then, Galle International Stadium has become the seventh international cricket stadium in Sri Lanka capable of hosting Test matches. The first test match was played on the ground on 3 June 1998, between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, resulting in a win for Sri Lanka by an innings and 16 runs 12.
**Hikkaduwa**
-**Hikkaduwa-** is a coastal town located in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. It has gained worldwide fame as a beach holiday destination,. known for its scenic beaches, vibrant marine life, and lively nightlife.. In the 1960s, Hikkaduwa was a haven for hippies, earning the nickname “Hippiduwa.”. Its economy was primarily based on fishing and coconut cultivation.. However, when the golden sandy beaches were discovered, tourism took center stage. The devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami also impacted Hikkaduwa and nearby villages. Today,. it remains a popular surf spot on the Sri Lankan southwest coast, attracting thousands of surfers between October-November and March-April.. The Hikkaduwa National Park, Sri Lanka’s first marine sanctuary, hosts approximately seventy varieties of multi-colored corals. Recently, efforts have been made to restore the coral reef by planting live coral on coconut shell-shaped cement blocks in the seabed..
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| Image by lapping from Pixabay |
**Unawatuna**
-**Unawatuna-** is a major tourist attraction known for its picturesque scenery, golden sands, and clear turquoise waters. The beach is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.. offering a range of activities such as snorkeling, diving, and surfing.. Despite significant development in the last decade, it has managed to retain its natural beauty and charm.. Unawatuna is situated at an elevation of 5 meters (16 feet) above sea level and continues to be home to the endangered and endemic purple-faced langur, an unusually shy monkey species found only in Sri Lanka’s forests.
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| Image by lapping from Pixabay |
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| Image by Karuvadgraphy from Pixabay |
**Japanese Peace Pagoda**
-**The Japanese Peace Pagoda-** in Galle is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit.. Located on the hillside near Unawatuna Beach, this pagoda was built by the Mahayana sect as an initiative to establish peace in the Sri Lankan conflict zone. When viewed from the side of Unawatuna, it appears as though the pagoda has grown out of the jungle, creating a captivating sight. The serene surroundings and the pagoda’s purpose make it a must-see attraction for visitors exploring the Galle region.
**Koggala**
-**Koggala-** is a small coastal town, situated at the edge of a lagoon on the south coast of Sri Lanka, located in Galle District, Southern Province, Sri Lanka, governed by an Urban Council. Koggala is bounded on one side by a reef, and on the other by a large lake, Koggala Lake, into which the numerous tributaries of the Koggala Oya drain. It is approximately 139 kilometres (86 mi) south of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 3 metres (9.8 ft) above the sea level.
-**The town is bounded on one side by a reef and on the other by the vast Koggala Lake. This freshwater lagoon receives water from the numerous tributaries of the Koggala Oya. Visitors can enjoy the unspoiled beauty of palm-lined beaches and take in the soothing views of the Indian Ocean. About 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) east of Koggala lies the Kataluva Purvarama Maha Viharaya temple. This ancient temple, originally built in the 13th century, features Kandyan-style paintings in its main shrine, dating from the late 19th century. The temple’s artwork includes depictions of musicians, dancers, European figures, and even Jatake tales (episodes from the Buddha’s previous lives). Notably, there are cameo-style paintings of Queen Victoria and the Queen Mother, expressing gratitude for Queen Victoria’s role in ensuring the free practice of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Koggala is also home to the famous stilt fishermen. These skilled fishermen erect a single pole in the chest-deep water just a few meters off-shore. Perched on a crossbar, they use bamboo fishing rods to cast their lines beyond the surf break and catch small fish.
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| Image by Ольга Фоломеева from Pixabay |