Real Lanka Holidays

12/07/2026

Black Hooded Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus) A medium-sized songbird easily recognized by its bright yellow body, jet-black hood covering the head and throat, and black wings with yellow patches. It has a stout, pinkish-red bill and red eyes. Found across South and Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, it prefers open woodlands, gardens, and areas with scattered tall trees — often near water like lagoons and rivers. Its call is a rich, melodious whistle, and it feeds mainly on insects, fruit, and nectar. Usually seen alone or in pairs, moving through the mid-to-upper canopy.

Discover Sri Lanka’s remarkable endemic birds and customise your birding tour with Real Lanka Holidays. ➡️https://rlholidays.com/endemic-birds-seekers/

26/06/2026

BookRetreats.com’s 2026 report ranks Sri Lanka as the world’s top trending wellness destination

Read More here -

https://www.timeout.com/asia/news/sri-lanka-is-the-worlds-top-trending-wellness-destination-for-2026-062426

26/06/2026

20/06/2026

Badulla–Nanu Oya train services resume after restoration work

2026/06/20

06/04/2026

Kandy Era Paintings
The Kandy Era (late 16th century to early 19th century) represents a vibrant renaissance of Sri Lankan art. During a time of political upheaval and colonial pressure, the Kandyan Kingdom preserved the island's spiritual and cultural identity through a unique style of mural painting that remains iconic to this day.

Where to Witness the Masterpieces
The best-preserved examples of Kandyan murals are found within the "Viharayas" (temples) and cave complexes of the central highlands and surrounding areas:

• Dambulla Cave Temple: A massive rock temple complex featuring sprawling ceiling murals.
• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic (Kandy): The spiritual heart of the era.
• Degaldoruwa Raja Maha Vihara: Often cited as the pinnacle of Kandyan art.
• Lankatilaka Vihara: Known for its fusion of Polonnaruwa and Kandyan architectural and art styles.
• Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara: Features both Kandyan-style and modern 20th-century murals.

Distinctive Features and Style

• Kandyan paintings are not meant to be "realistic" in the Western sense; they are designed for visual storytelling.
• Narrative Focus: The primary subjects are the Jataka Tales (stories of Lord Buddha’s previous lives) and significant historical events of Sri Lanka.
• The "Profile" Technique: Human figures are almost always drawn in profile (side-looking). This two-dimensional approach ensures that the "action" of the story is easy for devotees to follow.
• Filling the Void: Artists hated empty space! Backgrounds were typically painted in a deep, dark red. To fill the gaps between figures, they used intricate floral motifs like Lotus and Pandanus flowers.
• Continuous Narration: Stories are often told in horizontal strips (like a modern comic book), allowing the viewer to walk along the wall and "read" the story.

Natural Materials
The Kandyan masters didn't have synthetic paints. They were master chemists who derived vivid hues from the earth and forest.

• Color Sources and Preparation
• Red Derived from Sadilingam (vermilion), Ixora flowers, red clay, and crushed rocks.
• Yellow Made from mud limestone or the gummy sap (juice) of Clusiaceae trees.
• Blue Extracted from the Fabaceae (Indigo) plant.
• Green A secondary color created by mixing blue powder with yellow.
• White Exclusively taken from Makulu Meti (a specific white kaolin clay).
• Black Made from the charcoal of coconut shells mixed with Dorana oil.
• Golden A complex mix of limestone and golden limestone, or a cocktail of Clusiaceae milk, mercury, white lead, and salt.
• The Tools: Brushes were crafted with precision using natural fibers like Pandanus root or even cat fur for the finest details.

Notable Artists of the Era
Art was often a hereditary craft or a spiritual pursuit. These murals were the work of "Sittara" (painters) and monks who dedicated their lives to the temple walls.

• Rev. Mawanelle Devaragampola Silvath Thana (The master behind Degaldoruwa)
• Nilagama Patabandi Devendra Mulachari
• Hiriyale Naide & Deldeniya Hiththara Naide
• Rev. Katuwana Thero & Rev. Waththawe Thero

"Discover the rich artistic heritage of the Kandyan era. Inquire now at www.rlholidays.com."

27/06/2025

"Our guests speak from the heart — we craft memories, not just vacations in Sri Lanka."

14/06/2025

Our guide Premil had the pleasure of making Waseema and her friends' Sri Lanka tour truly memorable.
They enjoyed 8 unforgettable days exploring the cultural city of Kandy, the scenic tea plantations, the charming town of Ella, the beautiful beaches of Mirissa, and the vibrant energy of Colombo.

https://rlholidays.com/book-now/

13/06/2025

Miss Claudia and her friend enjoyed discovering the hidden gems of the city on our Negombo Walking Tour with our wonderful guide Shashi. From the bustling fish market to peaceful lagoon views and local street life – it was a journey full of stories, smiles, and sunshine! ☀️🦀🇱🇰

27/05/2025

Our guide Nilanka has just completed a 7-day tour with Mrs. Sawaf from the United Arab Emirates and her two children. They thoroughly enjoyed every moment of their stay in Sri Lanka!

15/08/2024

Nagadeepa Purana Raja Maha Vihara: An Exquisite Spiritual and Cultural Landmark
Nagadeepa Purana Raja Maha Vihara is also known as Nainativu Nagavihara, is a revered Buddhist temple located on Nagadeepa (Nainativu), a small island off the coast of the Jaffna Peninsula in Sri Lanka.
This site is considered one of the sixteen most sacred places of worship in Sri Lanka and has been a destination for pilgrims since the 1st century. It is renowned for its spiritual significance and rich cultural heritage.
Historical significance
The temple's history is deeply intertwined with Buddhist traditions and legends. According to the epic Manimekala, the island was known for a gem-studded throne and a stone with the Buddha’s footprint, attracting pilgrims from India. The Mahavamsa, a key Sri Lankan chronicle, recounts an important event where Buddha Shakyamuni visited Nagadeepa to resolve a conflict between two Naga kings over the gem-studded throne.
In the 5th year after Buddha’s enlightenment (around 523 BCE), it is said that the Buddha intervened to prevent a war between two Naga clans, led by King Mahodhara and his nephew Chulodhara, by demonstrating miracles and teaching the virtues of non-violence, the Buddha is said to have settled their dispute and turned the throne into a revered object.
The Rajayatana Stupa was later built to enshrine this throne and became a major site of Buddhist veneration.
Temple Features:
Rajayatana Stupa
This silver-painted stupa was constructed to enshrine the gem-studded throne. Its silver coating protects it from the salty sea breeze due to its coastal location. The stupa is central to the temple’s spiritual significance.
Ancient Bodhi Tree
The Bodhi tree at Nagadeepa is one of the eight original saplings from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, which itself is a branch from the historic Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, India. This tree, planted in 288 BCE, is considered the oldest living human-planted tree with a known planting date.