Kalutara

Kalutara, 43 kilometers south of Colombo was once an important spice training center controlled by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Kalutara offers a stretch of sunny and pleasant beaches. Today it has a reputation for fine basketware. South of the Kaluganga bridge on the main road is the Gangatilaka Vihara, which has a hollow Dagaba and beautiful interior paintings. Thousands of devotees flock the temple daily & travelers proceeding downsouth never fail to drop in a few coins as an offering to the gods to provide them with journey mercies. Kalutara is also famous for the fleshy & juicy mangosteen fruit. The Kalutara Temple is synonymous with the city.