Map of Sri Lanka showing the location of Dambulla in relation to 'C' Colombo

Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Dambulla, Sri Lanka is just under 150km from Colombo
and just over 70km north of Kandy
in the Central Province of Sri Lanka

Elephant Trekking - - Image courtesy of srilankatourism.org.uk and The Sri Lanka Tourist Board for the UK and Ireland Like the northern rock fortress of Sigiriya, Dambulla is a huge isolated rock mass rising around 160m over the surrounding plains, with an ancient rock temple that has been created spread over five mostly natural caves. Some of the wall paintings date back over 2,000 years. The most outstanding feature of the Golden Temple of Dambulla is the immense reclining Buddha image carved out of the solid rock, around 14m in length.

The town itself is thought to have been continuously inhabited from as early as the 3rd century BC! The time line of the Temple of Dambulla caves, deduced from archeological finds and records: 3rd century BC: earliest peasant inhabitants; 1st century BC: some paintings and statues; 5th century AD: the first stupa was built; 12th century AD: addition of many of the statues of Hindu gods, particularly Vishnu and Ganesh; 18th century AD: most of what we see today had been completed; 19th century AD: an additional cave was added with some remodeling and repainting; 20th century AD: Dambulla development of tourism and UNESCO recognition as a World Heritage Site, some restoration and electric lighting added.

Dambula Temple Also well known locally is agricultural produce market; Dambulla Market, selling the finest fruit and vegetables wholesale as well as retail. The town is also home to Dambulla International Stadium.

We are in the process of researching: Dambulla hotels - finding the best hotel in Dambulla; Amaya Lake Hotel Dambulla - Hotel Amaya Lake Dambulla; Hotel Kandalama Dambulla - the Kandalama Hotel Dambulla - Kandalama Dambulla - Dambulla Kundalma; Gimanhala Transit Hotel Dambulla Sri Lanka - Dambulla Hotel Gimanhala Transit - Gimanhala Transit Hotel Dambulla

We apologise for the repetition of some place or proper names with different spellings, but there is no definitive spelling translation of these words.

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The conflict between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, commonly known as “the Tamil Tigers”) ended in May 2009. Although the conflict is over, the LTTE are believed to retain some capability to mount terrorist attacks such as grenade or explosive device attacks and shootings. The Government has relaxed the State of Emergency, under which it has extensive anti-terrorism powers but there are still heightened levels of security (e.g. checkpoints, road blocks) throughout the country. You should exercise a high level of vigilance. The risk for the most part is one of being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. In order to minimise this, you should avoid military, government and paramilitary locations. Always carry formal photographic identification with you. Stop and show your ID when asked to do so. If you are detained, you should ask the authorities to contact the British High Commission.

Fatal attacks linked to the LTTE occurred throughout the country into 2009. Most attacks have been directed against Government and military targets though a number have been focussed on civilian targets such as crowded public places, public transport and market areas. Some of the most significant attacks included a suicide bomb at a political gathering in March 2009 and an air raid on military targets in Colombo in February 2009.

JeGraNet.com statement - 15 October 2008 - Quote from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: "There is a high threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka. Fatal attacks have become more frequent. They have occurred in Colombo and throughout Sri Lanka, including places frequented by expatriate and foreign travellers. Further attacks may occur at any time. There is an increasing risk of British nationals being caught up in an attack". As independent travellers we left Colombo after just 9 days into our planned 6 month stay as a result of a feeling of insecurity, however we are sure that 'package tour' travellers to tourist resorts will probably enjoy a worry free holiday.