Meetiyagoda Moonstones can occur in several colors, but there’s only one place in the whole world that produces the exquisite blue moonstone—Meetiyagoda in southwest Sri Lanka. In fact, Sri Lanka was so associated with this mysterious gem that moonstones used to go by the name Ceylon opal. Local legend has it that the land around Meetiyagoda has been blessed by the moon, and it’s obvious why. Underneath this small village is the world’s largest vein of a moonstone-bearing igneous rock called pegmatite. You’d think that an area so rich in this stunning gemstone would be heavily mined and scarred by machiners but digging by hand down through the topsoil, the miners use coconut wood scaffolding and fern leaves to prop up and line the sides of the shafts as they go. Once they hit the pegmatite layer, the miners begin to tunnel, again using coconut beams to keep the tunnels from collapsing. Collected in buckets, the moonstone-bearing gravel is then winched up the mine shaft – again by hand.

Seenigama Muhudu Viharaya near Hikkaduwa is a temple situated in a small islet just 200 m offshore. The temple is Sinhalese Buddhist. Another temple at the shores of Seenigama, frequented by both Buddhists and Hindus, is dedicated to a local tutelary deity named Devol, who is also worshipped in Unawatuna. The god is a protector of fishermen and boats. According to localizations of Ramayana narratives, Seenigama was the place where Sugriva, helper of Lord Rama, began his campaign against the demon king Ravana of Lanka, in order to free Rama’s wife Sita from captivity.

Located approximately a 7-minute drive away from Hikkaduwa lies a quaint little Monastery, with a pond surrounded by lush greenery and views of the ocean. The highlight of the site is a small island located right in the middle of the pond which houses a brilliant Buddha statue where the god stands tall facing the ocean waves. The statue features Lord Buddha posing the Abhaya mudra which is a symbol of protection and fearlessness. The monument was built after the tsunami of 2004 which claimed thousands of people’s lives and affected millions. The statue symbolizes the god claiming that the people are now safe and he will continue to protect the people from harm. The statue is a replica of Afghanistan’s Bamiyan Buddha and although it has been constructed recently it is considered one of the most beautiful specimens of Lord Buddha around the island where he projects the Abhaya Mudra. Being one of the few places on the island where you could see such scenery,

Marine sanctuary and beach resort.

The Galle Fort has both Portuguese and Dutch-era buildings, reflecting the bygone era of the colonial domination of the city. These buildings needed attention as many changes had taken place over the centuries. The Government of Sri Lanka, through its Galle Heritage Foundation under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage, has taken the initiative of restoring some of the heritage buildings to their old glory. The restoration work has been financially supported by the Government of the Netherlands. The renovation work conforms to guidelines set by the Archeological Department of Sri Lanka. Galle Fort Galle Fort Clock Tower Galle Fort Lighthouse Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications Dutch Reformed Church All Saints Anglican Church Meera Mosque Galle International Cricket Stadium.

back to the Colombo port passenger terminal, on the southern expressway.