A Living Museum of Sri Lanka's Ancient Glory.

Sprawled across the heart of the North Central Province, Anuradhapura is not merely a city it is a sacred chronicle carved in stone, a city where history, religion, and archaeology converge. As the first and longest-standing capital of ancient Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura served as the cradle of Sinhalese civilization for over 1,500 years. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the greatest and most extensive archaeological sites in the world, where colossal stupas, serene monastic complexes, and intricately carved ruins lie quietly beneath the open sky.

Founded in the 4th century BCE, the city was a beacon of Theravāda Buddhism and home to some of the most sophisticated hydraulic engineering systems of the ancient world. It became a thriving center of learning, pilgrimage, and urban planning a city that drew monks, scholars, and kings for centuries. Though eventually abandoned after foreign invasions, its soul was never lost. Anuradhapura continues to live and breathe through its temples, relics, and the unwavering devotion of its people.

Today, Anuradhapura is both a modern regional capital and a gateway to the island’s deep past. Pilgrims in white robes walk among schoolchildren, archaeologists, and global travelers, all drawn to the city's immense spiritual and historical significance. With roads leading to sacred fig trees, serene lakes, and stone pillared halls, Anuradhapura is not only a place to visit it is a place to awaken to the grandeur of a civilization that once was, and still is.