Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sinhala civilization.
Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sinhala civilization. It was the third capital of the kingdom of Rajarata, following the kingdoms of Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara.
The ancient city of Anuradhapura is surrounded by three great man-made lakes, Nuwara Wewa reservoir to the east & Tissa Wewa reservoir together with Basawakkulama Wewa reservoir to the west with two directions of the city being defined by River Malwatu Oya that flows through it. The best time to visit Anuradhapura is the months from April through September when pleasant summer season prevails in Central North Region with sunny and clear-sky days and warmer atmosphere and less rain.
Anuradhapura was founded in the 5th century BCE and was the Sinhalese capital of Sri Lanka from the 4th century BCE until the 11th century CE, when invasions from South India forced the shifting of the capital.