Portal:Sri Lanka/Selected article/Archives

2009

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January

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Royal College's main building.

The Royal College of Colombo (commonly known as Royal College) was founded in January 1835. It is considered to be the leading Public School in Sri Lanka. It is a National School, meaning that it is controlled by the central government as opposed to the Provincial Council and provides both primary and secondary education.

Royal College has produced many distinguished personalities, including two Presidents of two countries, a Sultan, three Prime Ministers and countless number of intellectuals.

2008

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December

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Ruwanwelisaya Chaitya

The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa in Sri Lanka, considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all over the world. It was built by King Dutugemunu, who became lord of all Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola King Elara, were defeated. It is also known as Mahathupa, Swarnamali Chaitya and Rathnamali Dagaba.

The stupa is also one of the Solosmasthana (the 16 places of veneration) and the Atamasthana (the 8 places of veneration in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura). The stupa is one of the world's tallest monuments, standing at 300 ft (92 m) and with a circumference of 950 ft (292 m).

September

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Trincomalee (ත්‍රිකුණාමලය in Sinhala; திருகோணமலை in Tamil) is a port city on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka, about 110 miles northeast of Kandy. The town is built on a bold peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbors. The Bay of Trincomalee is landlocked; the harbor is renowned for its extent and security; unlike every other in the Indian Sea, it is accessible to every description of craft in every variation of weather, but it lies out of the course of trade, Colombo Port having in this respect a great advantage over it.

The long and wide beaches here offer surfing, scuba diving and fishing and whale watching. This sea town is home to the Thirukonesvaram Kovil, which is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Sri Lanka. The town also has the largest Dutch fortress of Sri Lanka. Home to the Sri Lankan naval base & Sri Lankan Air Force base. The town is claimed by the LTTE as the capital of Tamil Eelam.