Airport or Pickup Point to Anuradapura travel time - 5 Hours, Anuradhapura was the first Ancient capital in Sri Lanka situated at the bank of river Malwathu oya. Declared as a world Heritage site in the year 1982 by UNESCO. The kingdom, which was ruled by 126 kings and last for 1500 years from 4th century BC to 11th century AD, (543 BC, to 1029 AD). Anuradhapura was the first Ancient capital in Sri Lanka situated at the bank of river Malwathu oya. Declared as a world Heritage site in the year 1982 by UNESCO. This kingdom ruled by 126 kings and last for 1500 years from 4th century BC to 11th century AD, (543 BC, to 1029 AD). Sacred to the Buddhis world even today, frequented with numerous Buddhist monasteries and is one of the world's major archaeological sites.