With coconut palms swaying in the breeze, Bentota is a multi-tasking tourist town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka. One of Sri Lanka’s most popular beaches, Bentota is first an Indian Ocean beach resort where water activities, such as surfing, sailing and snorkeling, abound.

When it’s time for a change of pace, you can visit a sea turtle hatchery and conservation center, which monitors five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world. You can also take in a 17th century fortress, lush gardens and an old Buddhist temple that dates from medieval times.

The other route is to take the Kurunegala-Dambulla road to Ibbagamuwa and from there take the Madagalla road and get off at Godagala junction. Then you can travel through the village of Doluwa to Dolukanda through a beautiful paddy field.

Dolukanda is considered to be the site of Lord Weeramunda and is a place of historical and archaeological value. Dolukanda which is designated as a reserve is under the Forest Department. It is important that you climb Dolukanda with a special permit from the Forest Department. It is also important to inform the Thero of the Dolukanda Temple as the Dolukanda Climb should start through the Dolukanda Temple. You will also find a guide to climb Dolukanda.

While climbing Dolukanda you will see a lot of gum on the way. There are also huge russet trees and large herbaceous plants. Among these are rare herbs called Gardi Raja. It is noteworthy that the herb grows on another plant. At the same time, the black stone ruins can be seen along the way as evidence that there were buildings. Many treasures can be seen being destroyed by thieves.

Along the way, there are gushing springs that overflow the roots of the rocky outcrop. That water is even suitable for drinking. If you go up and run out of water you can get water from this spring. This is because there is no drinking water at the top of Dolukanda.

There is a place called Maligathenna at the top of Dolukanda and it is a great place to see the beauty of the surroundings as a plain. Maligathenna is believed to be the back part of the palace at the top of Dolukanda. Maligathenna is also mentioned as the road used by King Walagamba to worship at the Dolukanda temple.

Once you reach the top of Dolukanda, you can see the beauty of the
North Western Province. On one side you can see Kurunegala, Wariyapola and on the other side, you can see Wellawa, Deduru Oya, Yakdessagala mountain. The beach up to Chilaw can be seen on a clear day.

There are several water bodies at the top of Dolukanda. According to the villagers, the ponds are medicinal ponds and have black water and the ponds are deeper. Surrounded by majestic trees, these ponds are thought to have medicinal properties.