One of the three botanical gardens established by the British in Sri Lanka.
It was established in 1876 by the British for conducting experiments on exotic economic plants. The first imported rubber seedlings to Asia from Brazil were planted in this garden. Many of these trees of the 19th century are still available in the Gardens.
The natural forest patches give way uneven areas of land to clusters of Bamboo, sprawling lawns, beautifully landscaped flower gardens, palm-lined walkways, medicinal plants, spices, fruit plants, and even to large trees like Mahogany, Ebony, Ironwood, Sack trees, Calabash, Amherstia, and Satinwood.
Additional information
Nearby Attractions
The most popular nearby attraction
- Colombo City
- Colombo National Museum
- Kelaniya Historical Temple
- Negombo Beach
Colombo is Sri Lanka’s main metropolis and commercial center. Beautiful colonial architectural evidence can be observed throughout the city center. Beaches, foreign fusion restaurants, casinos, nightclubs, retail malls, and historical temples, churches, and Hindu temples are all found here.
Distance: 38 Km
This is a massive, all-encompassing history museum housed in a superb Italian architectural building that was publicly declared in 1877.
Distance: 38 Km
Buddha paid a visit to Kelaniya on his third visit to the country 2550 years ago. The specifics of these visits are preserved in Sri Lanka’s two earliest historical chronicles, the Mahawansa and the Chulawansa. Kelaniya Temple is said to have been constructed before Sir Lanka’s historically recorded history (since 543 B.C).
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara houses paintings and statues from the 17th and first part of the 20th century. Murals adorned the walls and ceilings of the old and new wings’ rooms. It was always given full royal support in the past, and it is still held in great regard by the people of the island today.
The temple is well-known for its annual Perahera pageant (a Buddhist procession), which takes place in January. The Perahera first opened its doors in 1927.
Distance: 22.5 Km
Negombo beach is only 10 kilometers from CMB Airport and is known for birdwatching, skiing, kayaking, fun boat rides, and other watersports.
Negombo has a strong historical Catholic impact as a result of its Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonizers. The southern part of the bay is home to the country’s major fishing port, while the northern part is home to the tourism sector. Probably the finest site in Sri Lanka to see the magnificent sunset near the beach. Negombo’s highlights include the Negombo Lagoon, the historic St. Mary’s Church, and the Fish Market.
Distance: 29 Km
Accommodation
Accommodation (within 10km)
- Star Classified hotels- Yes
- International Chain Hotels- No
- Boutique Hotels- No
- Resorts- No
- Ayurvedic Hotels- No
- Inns/Guest Houses- Yes
- Hostels- No
- Homestays- Yes
- Eco Hotels- Yes
* You might still find preferred accommodation in nearby cities.
Distance
Distance from (estimate)
- CMB Airport- 18km (travel time: 45min)
- Colombo City- 37km (travel time: 1hrs 15min)
- Sigiriya Rock Fortress- 144km (travel time: 3hrs 30min)
- Anuradhapura Ancient City- 169km (travel time: 4hrs)
- Polonnaruwa Ancient City- 191km (travel time: 4hrs 25min)
- Kandy City- 93km (travel time: 3hrs 10min)
- Galle Dutch Fort- 140km (travel time: 2hrs 25min)
* The time and distance are only given to give you an idea. There are stopovers between the two locations. The cities listed above are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Best Time
Season
- November to March