Polonnaruwa

History of the city

The ancient polonnaruwa was the second kingdom of the Sri Lanka. It located north of Kandy and Colombo districts, and today remains a lot of ruins of ancient Polonnaruwa kingdom, which from late 10th century.

When south Indian invaders attack to Sri Lanka, the previous Anuradhapura kingdom shifted to the Polonnaruwa that is more strategically and economically important location than the Anuradhapura.

The king of great Vijayabahu’s was the first ruler of the polonnaruwa and after the age of king Vijayabahu, the king Parakramabahu came to the action and was able establish a golden era to the Sri Lanka. In this golden period he managed to develop the country’s agriculture, trade system and also irrigation systems. At the same time he performed an immense service for the Buddhism. After finishing the king Parakramabahu, king Nissankamalla can be identified as the next successful ruler of the Polonnaruwa.

Among the ruins of Polonnaruwa there are large tanks such as Parakrama Samudraya, and a huge number of temples, historical buildings, and Hindu religious buildings, Palaces can be identified today also.

Gal Viharaya

Gal Viharaya, this is very famous place among the polonnaruwa ruins. The Gal Viharaya is one of the most ancient Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka and there are three Buddha images carved out of a granite cliff.