Annual Three-Day Tour of the RCPTA on 27th,28th & 29th July 2024
40 members initially gave in their names their willingness to participate in the tour. Approximately 50 people participated in the tour. According to the itinerary on Day one, we left for Hambantota after having breakfast at Sahana Restaurant in Galle. We first visited the Bird Park in Hambantota which had a rare collection of birds. It is a home to endemic and exotic birds with over 350 varieties and exceeding 11,000 birds. This was inaugurated in 28th November 2014. Extending up to 52 acres, while supporting scientific research boasts a luxurious resort.
Then we arrived at the Army Camp in Hambantota for Lunch. A sumptuous lunch was arranged for us while providing us with music by the army. After lunch we left for a tour at the Mirijjawela Dry Zone Botanical Garden extending up to 300 acres. This is one of the five Botanical Gardens in Sri Lanka. A variety of plants including very rare cacti can be viewed here. Everyone enjoyed both tours. Then we arrived at the Hotel Centuria in Ambiliptiya had dinner and stayed the night.
Next morning, we visited Kataragama shrine and Tissa Viharaya and worshipped. Again, we were given a sumptuous lunch at what is known as the Adi dahaye army camp which was in a beautifully laid garden. Since there wasn’t enough time, we could not visit Kirinda. Then we arrived at Tissamaharamaya temple and everyone was happy to worship there. Finally, we arrived at the hotel for a wonderful get-together with a band playing music and the crowd dancing away and enjoyed till dinner time.
Next day after having breakfast at the hotel we left for Kuragala Rajamaha Viharaya. This is a prehistoric Archeological site, with early human settlements during late Pleistocene period with ruins of ancient Buddhist cave complex located close to Balangoda. Climbing up to the Dathu Mandiraya was a massive task for many RCPTA members. It is a beautiful shrine with Lord Buddha’s bone relics and relics of other Rahathan Vahanses. Few of us climbed right to the top in Kuragala to see the ruins of the ancient Dagabos. This area is known to be where a very high number of Arahathun Vahanses had lived.
Leaving Kuragala we had a late lunch at The Silveray Hotel and returned back to Royal College after dropping many on the way close to their homes.
Three hearty cheers for a well-organized tour which everyone enjoyed
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