Banned by the colonisers who saw it for the threat it was, the Sri Lankan martial art Angampora was practiced in secret by a devout few; but now the sleeping giant wakes in Piliyandala, bringing with it the ferocity, discipline and knowledge it has gathered for over 30,000 years.
In the sleepy village of Kahambe in Pilimitahalawa resides a great master, his skill is sharpened by seven generations of masters who came before him. C. G. Gunasoma can grind a piece of quartz into a perfect eye-glass lens with the same skill his ancestor developed during the reign of King Buwanekabahu IV - which makes his skill a national treasure.
No one would blame you for thinking they do – especially after you have experienced the Alien Rock in Danigala. The almost perfectly circular rock formation towers above its surroundings and astounds the senses; such a thing cannot be natural – the geometry and precision- there can only be one conclusion, and you know what that is.
Deep in the heart of Batticaloa a musical mystery exists, it is said that on a full moon night the waters bring a song like no other. If you dip your oar into the water under the Kallady Bridge on such a night and listen at its other end, you will hear beautiful music play for you. Some say it is the fish that sing, others say it is the waters that make the music, but no-one who has heard it will ever forget it.
Not many know that there is a difference between Ayurveda and our homegrown ‘Hela Veda’.
Amongst the amazing things in this world, is the beautifully handcrafted Sri Lankan marionette.
A 100 years ago, in a village called Raddalagala, Ambalawatte was where ‘Undiya Rala’ settled down after sampling Lady Mallu’s famous cooking.