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OFF THE BEATEN PATH - TRINCOMALEE

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 TRINCOMALEE History of Trincomalee  Trincomalee is an ancient Gokanna town and port on Sri Lanka's northeastern coast. It is located on a peninsula in Trincomalee Bay, formerly known as Koddiyar (meaning "Fort by the River") Bay, one of the world's most beautiful natural harbours. Trincomalee was a major settlement of Indo-Aryan immigrants in the early days. The Temple of a Thousand Columns (also known as Koneswaram Temple), located at the peninsula's tip, was built as a Hindu temple in the 7th century or earlier. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to occupy the town in the 17th century; they razed the temple and used its stone to build a fort. The port's harbor changed hands several times between the Dutch, French, and British before finally falling into British hands in 1795. Trincomalee's significance as a major British base grew after the Japanese ousted the British from Singapore during World War II; the town was bombed by the Japanese in 1942.
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OFF THE BEATEN PATH - JAFFNA

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  JAFFNA One of Sri Lanka's true hidden gems is the region's north, and its magnificent capital, Jaffna. You'll quickly realize that the north is a different world if you've traveled through the nation for any length of time. North Sri Lanka is much more laid back and notably less chaotic than the rest of the country due to its lower population density. With its many tiny lanes to explore, people riding by on bicycles, and an abundance of juice bars, Jaffna has the feel of a large village. You won't want to miss the north of Sri Lanka because there are so many interesting things to do in Jaffna, there aren't many tourists there, and the atmosphere is very laid back.  History of Jaffna The northern peninsula of Sri Lanka is home to the city of Jaffna, which has a lengthy—and occasionally turbulent—history. It appears from archeological evidence that people have lived in this area since the year 1000 BC.  There are a number of Ramayana-related mythological attract
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OFF THE BEATEN PATH - DAMBULLA

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 DAMBULLA  Dambulla, Sri Lanka, is an often forgotten destination and for the most part, remains off the tourist trail. Most travelers aren't even familiar with the city of Dambulla, aside from the Dambulla Cave Temple.  This is due, in part, to the fact that many choose to remain in Sigiriya. But because Dambulla is a true Sri Lankan city, it provides a more genuine experience. There are hundreds of local restaurants to try, and the streets are bustling. Apart from that, however, Dambulla offers an abundance of activities. History of Dambulla  It is believed that people first settled in the region between the seventh and third centuries BC. These caves contain paintings and statues from the first century BC. However, in the 11th, 12th, and 18th centuries AD, the statues and paintings underwent repairs and repaintings. During his 14-year banishment from the Anuradhapura kingdom, King Valagamba (also known as Vattagamini Abhaya) found sanctuary in the city's caves. The exiled ki
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