1982
200 Sacred City of AnuradhapuraAnuradhapura, a major human settlement on the island for almost three millennia is one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Asia. It is the cradle of the Sinhala Hydraulic civilization, Theravada Buddhism, and the ancient capital of Lanka from 437 BCE. The Sri Maha Bodhi grown from a cutting of the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment was brought in 250 BCE by Sanghamitta, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka and is the oldest documented, planted tree in the world, still-living. Anuradhapura was abandoned after an Chola invasion in 993 CE.
1941-1949 Rs 5 Back Thuparama Dagoba, Anuradhapura. @ 1951-1977 Rs 10 Back Guard standing with pot of plenty, Ratnaprasada, Anuradhapura. @ 1952-1969 Rs 50 Back Moonstone of stone stairway to Queens Pavilion, Anuradhapura. @ 1981-1990 Rs 500 Back Abayagiri Stupa in Anuradhapura. @ 1982 Rs 5 Back Guard standing with pot of plenty, Ratnaprasada, Anuradhapura. @ 1982-1990 Rs 20 Front Moonstone of stone stairway to Queens Pavilion, Anuradhapura. @ 1982-1990 Rs 20 Back Thuparama Dagoba, Anuradhapura. 1982-1990 Rs 100 Front Stone Balustrade, Anuradhapura. @ 1991-2006 Rs 50 Back Jetavanarama with smaller Thuparama stupas of Anuradhapura. @ 1991-2006 Rs 500 Back Ruwanveliseya Dagaba, Anuradhapura. @
1982
201 Ancient City of PolonnaruwaPolonnaruwa was the second capital of Lanka after VijayaBahu reunited the Nation in 1070 CE. One of the best-planned garden-cities in Lanka, with monumental archaeological ruins from the reign of 12th century King ParakaramaBahu the great. Abandoned after invasion of Indian warlord Kalinga Magha in 1214,
1951-1963 Rs 1 Back Moonstone and ornate stone stairway to Vatadage, Polonnaruwa. @ 1952-1977 Rs 2 Back Circular Buddhist shrine, Medirigiriya Vatadage Polonnaruwa. @ 1952-1974 Rs 5 Back Statue of sage Pulasthi, Polonnaruwa. 1965-1977 Rs 2 Front Statue of sage Pulasthi, Polonnaruwa. @ 1965-1974 Rs 5 Front Statue of sage Pulasthi, Polonnaruwa. 1965-1977 Rs 10 Front Statue of sage Pulasthi, Polonnaruwa. 1965-1969 Rs 50 Front Statue of sage Pulasthi, Polonnaruwa. 1965-1969 Rs 100 Front Statue of sage Pulasthi, Polonnaruwa. 1971-1977 Rs 100 Back Moonstone and ornate stone stairway to Vatadage, Polonnaruwa. @ 1982 Rs 5 Front Circular Buddhist shrine, Vatadage Polonnaruwa. @ 1982-1990 Rs 50 Back Lankatileka Maha Vihare, Polonnaruwa. @
1982
202 Ancient City of SigiriyaThe ruins of the capital built by the parricidal King Kassapa I (477-495 CE) lie on the steep slopes and at the summit of a granite peak standing some 180m high (the 'Lion's Rock', which dominates the jungle from all sides). A series of galleries and staircases emerging from the mouth of a gigantic lion constructed of bricks and plaster provide access to the site.
1941-1949 Rs 2 Back Sigriya Rock. @ 1952-1969 Rs 100 Back Sigriya Fresco. @ 1991-2006 Rs 100 Back Sigriya Rock. @ 2005-2006 Rs 2,000 Front Sigriya Rock. @ 2005-2006 Rs 2,000 Back Sigriya Fresco.
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Located in south-west Lanka, Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to over 50% of Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians.
1979 Rs 5 Back Consistant with Sinharaja biodiversity. @ 1979 Rs 50 Back Consistant with Sinharaja biodiversity. @
1988
450 Sacred City of KandyThis sacred Buddhist site, popularly known as the city of Senkadagalapura, was the last capital of the Sinhala kings whose patronage enabled the Dinahala culture to flourish for more than 2,500 years until the occupation of Lanka by the British in 1815. It is also the site of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (the sacred tooth of the Buddha), which is a famous pilgrimage site.
1941-1948 Rs 10 Back Temple of the Tooth, Kandy. @ 1947 Rs 10,000 Back Kandy Lake. @ 1981-2006 Rs 500 Front Elephant Sculpture Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy. @ 1982-1990 Rs 10 Back Temple of the Tooth, Kandy. @ 1991-2006 Rs 50 Back Kandyan Dancer. @ 1991-2006 Rs 500 Back Kandyan Dancer and two drummers @ 1991-2006 Rs 1000 Front Decorated Kandyan Perahara Tusker Raja with Mahout. @ 1991-2006 Rs 1000 Back Temple of the Tooth Relic, Kandy. 1998 Rs 200 Back Temple of the Tooth, Kandy. @ 2010-2022 Rs 500 Front Lankatileka Vihare, Kandy. @
451 Old Town of Galle and its FortificationsFounded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions.
A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2 ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.
1203 Central Highlands of LankaLanka's highlands are situated in the south-central part of the island. The property comprises the Peak Wilderness Protected Area, the Horton Plains National Park and the Knuckles Conservation Forest. These montane forests, where the land rises to 2,500 metres above sea-level, are home to an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, including several endangered species such as the western-purple-faced langur, the Horton Plains slender loris and the Lankan leopard. The region is considered a super biodiversity hotspot.
1972-1977 Rs 50 Back SiriPada Mountain. @