Kalutara

Kalutara is a resort area on the southwest coast of the island, famous for its sports clubs. It is an ideal place for water sports enthusiasts, offering windsurfing, scuba diving, water skiing, spearfishing, and sailing.

Kalutara is the first town you encounter on the way from Colombo. It lies on the Kalu Ganga River — “Black River” — one of the largest rivers in Sri Lanka, just beyond its banks when viewed from Colombo. North of the bridge connecting the two shores of the Kalu Ganga is a charming beach with several luxury hotels and a water sports center.

The town still preserves an old Dutch canal and ruins of an ancient fort. Walking through the resort streets, you can easily find two or three colonial-style houses.

Undoubtedly, the most prominent historical landmark in Kalutara — and one of Sri Lanka’s iconic sites — is the Gangatilaka Vihara Stupa. It is so colossal that it is visible even before entering the city. The stupa is remarkable for being hollow, which is a rare architectural feature.