The Cultural Triangle is the land which lies within the three ancient cities of Dambulla, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, which bear testament to the great civilization that existed here dating back to 4 BC. On seeing the extensive ruins here, and with a little imagination it is possible to re-create the life of the proud people that once lived here and developed this region into the masterpiece of creation that it once was. The numerous irrigation tanks covering hundreds of acres, with their waters held back with manually constructed packed earth bunds are proof that the ancient Kings were exceptionally advanced for their time. The Cultural Triangle holds the distinction of housing three of the seven World Heritage Sites in the country which are Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya.

The Cultural Triangle tells a rich tale of Sri Lanka’s magnificent Royal past and the great civilization based on agriculture which flourished here in ancient times and the ruins of what would have been magnificent palaces and the huge irrigation reservoirs built by ancient Kings are a testament to how advanced the race was at the time. Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka’s first capital city established in 4 BC and continued to hold this status until 11 AD being the domain of over 100 kings during this period, and has seen many wars fought between rival Kings as well as invading Indian armies from the North. Between the 11th and 13th Century Polonnaruwa was the Royal capital and the ruins of the buildings seen today are attributed to construction mainly by King Vijayabahu I and King Parakramabahu I. The region is also the point from which Buddhism was propagated in the island, as it was at Mihintale that King Devanampiya Tissa was first converted to the faith by Arahat Mahinda, son of the Emperor Ashoka of India.