Highlights of Beruwala
Kande Wiharaya
Kande Viharaya is located in Aluthgama, Kaluthra district not much far away from Colombo Galle main road. This temple got its name “Kande Viharaya” ( temple on the hill), because it is located at a top of a hill. Kande Viharaya Temple was established in year 1734 and became the regional Buddhist center. The Samadhi Buddha statue was constructed in the recent past and can be visible from a long distance. New Image House is located under this statue and depicts many Jathaka stories and incidents related to the life of Load Buddha.
Beruwala Fish Market
Among the many attractions in Beruwala, the fish market is quite an interesting excursion. Beruwala is a town which is known for fishing, and most of the people do fishing as a mode of living. A visit to the fish market will definitely be a different experience to any visitor. If one is lucky enough a visit early morning to the fish port will provide you the opportunity of watching how the fishermen unload their day’s catch. You would also see wooden canoes and boats lined up along the coast which is a rare sight. The fish harbor gets liven up when the catch is brought to the shore. A traveler would notice fish eagles soaring high up in the sky waiting to pick on the freshly caught fish.
Light House
Beruwala light house is on Barberyn Island. A ten minute boat ride to this incredible island will leave you face to face with a wonderful tourist attraction which is the Beruwala Lighthouse. The island alone is a pleasure to the eye with its greenery and the views of the Indian Ocean as well as its peaceful ambience, the lighthouse is simply a pleasing addition to this green island known as Barberyn Island.
To reach the island one must take a boat ride which is roughly around ten minutes, if you are lucky you may end up with a glass bottom boat which will leave you in awe with the exotic marine life the Indian Ocean holds, the island is roughly around eight acres and is surrounded by thick vegetation. It is about 20 feet above sea level and gives out beautiful views of the surrounding ocean. It is covered with coconut trees, plumeria flowers, mango trees, cashew trees and grass. Avid bird lovers will take pleasure at the exotic migratory birds as well as Sri Lankan birds that have made Barbaryn Island their home. This island is the best place to meditate, or just take in the views and have a picnic.
Bentota River Safari
The Bentota River is a beautiful river teeming with wildlife. Spend a morning exploring the mangrove, river banks and lily clad islands on the search for prehistoric creatures such as monitor lizards, crocodiles and the beautiful birds of prey which patrol the area. You may also see the rivers sand digger boats and hand pulled ferry.
You may row around mangroves along the Bentota river watching birds of many different hues, crocodiles, reptiles. During the one day tour you may visit cinnomon island and and some temples also take a panoramic view of the eco diversity.
Breif Garden
Brief was the HOME & GARDEN of Bevis Bawa (1909-1992), who was a Planter, Soldier, Painter, Cartoonist, Columnist, Sculptor and a prominent Landscape Gardener of Sri Lanka. Approximately a 200 acre rubber plantation, Brief, of the Bawa family was given to the elder son, Bevis, in the late 1920’s. He, was so fascinated with the environment, decided to have his retreat on the estate. Brief is located few miles away from the Galle Road Between Bentota & Beruwala. In 1929, to be exact, he moved in and kept on altering the small planters bungalow and simultaneously commenced work on the garden and by early 1950 it has become a 5 acre garden with out his knowledge. As he was a good host and had enough funds to spend his friends and those of the Colombo high society started visiting Bevis and spending the day at Brief.
Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
There are a few turtle hatcheries along the beach between Induruwa and Ahungalla. Some are very small (a few basins on the beach) while others are of a decent size. The most interesting one in located on the beach behind the Kosgoda Police Station.
Kosgoda Sea Turtle Sanctuary does not only gather the turtle eggs to let them hatch and release the turtles as soon as they are ready to go out to see, they also take care of wounded and sick species and provide schools and students with turtle-related items for use in classes. All the money recieved from entrance fees and donations is used entirely to buy the turtle eggs from the locals (who would otherwise eat the eggs) and maintain the infrastructure..
Moon Stone Mine
Moonstone’s are in the semi-precious category and are an important component of the Sri Lankan gem industry. The finest are bluish in colour and are found in high concentrations in heading inland 7km to Mitiyagoda, between Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa.
Moonstone has been mined in these sweltering forests forever and the moonstone mines, little more than muddy rabbit holes, 6m or 7m long, are fascinating as is the process of filtering out the precious stones, cutting them up and polishing them up ready for sale. At the Moonstone Factory you can see or even go down into a narrow shaft where the stones are mined.
Mask Museum
This museum is designed to introduce into the richness of the mask tradition of Ambalangoda and to strengthen this cultural heritage. The museum, the workshop and the small library (containing all available anthropological literature on masks performances) may serve as a centre for traditional arts and crafts and for research as well.
Batik Industry
Batik is very often considered a craft like ceramic, pottery or even needlework. Although it is a household word all over the world, batik is still overlooked by art critics who do not consider it an art form.
