The most beautiful natural sites to discover West Coast

The Department of Wildlife Conservation manages all national parks in Sri Lanka. Its website will give you a lot of information about them and about reservations (Strict natural reserves—Nature reserves) and sanctuaries (Sanctuaries). It does not support the Forest Reserves or the Wilderness Areas, which depend on the Forest Department.

This cave, if it is not very deep, marks by its height. The entrance is 45 meters high and 60 meters wide. It is estimated that it could accommodate 3,000 people. During excavations carried out between 1986 and 2009, archaeologists discovered mainly microliths (small carved stone tools dating from prehistoric times) but also human graves containing six human bone fossils. These discoveries have allowed archaeologists and paleontologists to estimate that the first inhabitants of the cave were contemporaries of Cro-Magnon Man! Today, it is the oldest archaeological site in Asia.

Pahiyangala Cave, also known as Fa-Hien Cave, takes its name from a Chinese monk, Fa-Hsiengala, who, in the 4th century BC, travelled the country in search of Buddhist texts. He is said to have stayed in this cave during his journey to Adam's Peak (Sri Pada). Just before entering the cave, a cave temple conceals a 12-metre long reclining Buddha statue. Pilgrims visit the site regularly as evidenced by the candles burning in front of the temple.

The access to the Pahiyangala cave is by a staircase which crosses a thick forest, before passing the canopy. It can also be reached by a paved road (less steep) which joins the last flight of stairs. From the cave, the panorama spreads over the Sri Lankan jungle as far as the eye can see.

This tiny island is less than a kilometre from the coast, about 5 minutes by boat. It is home to the Beruwela Lighthouse, which was inaugurated by the British government on November^1, 1889, and is 34 meters high. The island has a few ruins and an old well. It is a pleasant place to walk around, and you may even see some peacocks. For investors and wealthy amateurs, the island is for sale and is part of the Sotheby's catalogue. For that it will be necessary to pay the modest sum of 8 million dollars!