Polonnaruwa district

Polonnaruwa district is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is a place steeped in history and natural beauty. As one of the key districts in the country, it offers a unique blend of ancient ruins, lush landscapes, and a vibrant community. It is known as පොළොන්නරුව දිස්ත්‍රික්කය (poḷonnaruva distrikkaya) in Sinhala and பொலன்னறுவை மாவட்டம் (Polaṉṉaṟuvai Māvaṭṭam) in Tamil.

History

The history of Polonnaruwa is illustrious and forms a significant chapter in the story of Sri Lanka. It became the capital of the island after the decline of Anuradhapura around 1070 AD. Under the reign of King Parakramabahu I, the city reached its zenith. He is famous for saying, “Let not even a drop of rain water go to the sea without benefiting man,” which led to the development of sophisticated irrigation systems that are still in use today.

Polonnaruwa is known for its well-preserved archaeological relics and ancient structures, such as the giant statue of Parakramabahu I, the Rankoth Vehera stupa, and the Gal Viharaya, where you can see beautifully carved statues of Buddha. These monuments are part of the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka and have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Geography

The district covers an area of about 3,293 square kilometers (1,271 sq mi), making it one of the larger districts in Sri Lanka. Polonnaruwa is bordered by Anuradhapura to the north, Ampara to the east, Batticaloa to the southeast, and Matale to the southwest. Its geography is mainly flat with large expanses of open land used for agriculture. The district is also home to several large reservoirs, like the Parakrama Samudra, which is crucial for both farming and wildlife in the area.