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Religion & Culture

Santa Lucia Cathedral

Santa Lucia Cathedral

This Roman Catholic Cathedral, the construction of which began in 1876 and only completed in 1910, has a classical façade with a large forecourt and is said to contain the tombs of three French Bishops. The Cathedral has distinct Gothic architecture. The interior captivates the visitor with its architecture and ...



Gangaramaya Viharaya

Gangaramaya Viharaya

Tucked away next to the Beira Lake, the Gangaramaya Vihara is probably Colombo’s most famous Buddhist temple. Since 1890, it has been making a valuable contribution to Buddhist traditions in Sri Lanka. Indeed, Gangaramaya Viharaya has become a world renowned centre for worship and Buddhist learning. 



Gangaramaya Temple

Gangaramaya Temple

What was once a swamp adjoining the famous Beira Lake, a landmark in the capital city, is today a vibrant complex comprising the Gangaramaya temple, the ‘seema malaka’ – an assembly hall for monks - in the picturesque Beira Lake and a vocational training institute. The temple has been in existence for over ...



Bellanwilla Temple

Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya

Bellanwila is a typical Sri Lankan suburban village situated in a picturesque rural setting in the outskirts of Colombo. It’s famous for its Buddhist temple, which has a long history dating back to the Anuradhapura era, over 2,000 years ago.



Kelaniya Temple

Kelaniya Temple

The ancient Kelani Raja Maha Viharaya, situated six miles from Colombo, stands alongside the Kelani River. According to the Mahavamsa, Lord Buddha stopped at this ancient temple during a visit to Sri Lanka in 523 BC where he was invited to preach at the invitation of the king.