ACTIVITIES
TOURS
In addition to its monthly lectures the Trust also conducts quarterly tours for its members to heritage sites around the island, each lead by an expert on the locations being visited.
To following tours have been completed to date.
March 2019
The first tour for the year was to Jaffna on the 15th, 16th and 17th of March led by Archt Ashley de Vos, Senior Vice President of the Trust assisted by Mr. Yohan Ferreira, NTSL member and Volunteer Tour Coordinator. The tour party traveled by train to Jaffna on the 15th, stayed two nights at the Heritage Hotel and returned by train to Colombo on the 17th. Places of interest visited included: the Nallur Temple, Jaffna Fort, Delft Island, Kathurugoda, Dambakolapattuna, Keerimalai Hot Springs, KKS, Point Pedro, and Manalkadu Sand Dunes. The group also participated in a Jaffna City Tour which included visits to the Jaffna Fruit & Fish Market, Museum, King Sangiliyan’s Statue, his ruined Palace and the bathing pond, St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. John’s College.
October 2008
The third tour for the year was to Sitawaka led by Archt. Ashley de Vos, Senior Vice-President of NTSL, on 6th October 2018. Places of interest visited included the Sitawaka Wet-Zone Botanical Garden, Sitawaka Fort, Palace of Rajasinghe-I, Berandi Kovil and the Tomb of King Rajasinghe-I.
August 2018
A day-tour of Small Museums in the Colombo Fort area was conducted on 2018 August 15th led by Dr. Kavan Ratnatunga and Mr. Chryshane Mendis. The places visited included:
Central Bank Coins and Currency Museum Customs Museum Postal Museum Port Authority Maritime Museum Delft Gate @ Commercial Bank HQ Kayman’s Gate Old Colombo Town Hall Museum
June 2018
The second tour for the year 2018 was a two-day tour on 23rd & 24th June to Magul Maha Vihara and Rajagala Monastic Site, led by Archt Ashley de Vos, Senior Vice President of NTSL. On the first day, the tour participants visited Magul Maha Vihara, an ancient Buddhist temple situated in Lahugala before spending the night in Ampara and the next day they visited Rajagala Monastic Site in the Uhana Division before returning to Colombo
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March 2018
The first tour for the year 2018 was conducted on 3rd March to Dambulla, led by Prof. Nimal de Silva, President of NTSL. Places of interest visited included the Megalithic Burial Sites at Ibbankatuwa, Somavathie Stupa and the remains of the monastery complex, Dambulla cave shrines and the Painting Museum
November 2017
The third tour for the year 2017 was conducted on 25th November to Sigiriya. A wonderful creation of man, Sigiriya in its natural setting is one of the major tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. It is believed to be the first recorded site visited by tourists in South Asia. The famous graffiti on the mirror wall provide evidence to such visitations. Sigiriya is a mystical and magnificent creation, where the versatility of human creativity is exhibited in its highest degree by using natural setting and features of the site to achieve the desired built environment.. The tour was led by Dr. Nilan Cooray, Trustee and Assistant General Secretary of NTSL.
September 2017
The second tour for the year 2017 was conducted on 2nd September to Tissamaharama. Known in ancient times by the name of Mahagama (great town), it was one of the principal settlements of the southern province of Ruhuna, founded in the third century BC. Places of interest visited were the Menik Vehera Complex, Yatala Wehera and Museum, Sandagiri Seya Monastery Complex, Historic Megalithic Settlements and Tissamaharama Raja MahaVihara. The tour was led by Prof. Nimal de Silva, President of NTSL.
July 2017
The first tour for the year 2017 was conducted on 8th July to the beautiful gardens of the famous Sri Lankan architect brothers, Geoffrey and Bevis Bawa. Brief was the home and Garden of Bevis Bawa located nine kilometres inland from Bentota while Lunuganga estate, located four kilometres away from Galle Road on the banks of Dedduwa Lake, was the country home of Geoffrey Bawa. The tour was led by Architect Ashley de Vos – Trustee of NTSL.
September 2016
Our third tour for 2016 will be to some cultural sites in Mihintale a mountain peak near Anuradhapura believed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, which is a pilgrimage site, and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures on 10th September 2016. Prof. Nimal De Silva – President of The National Trust will accompany the members.
June 2016
Our 2nd tour for year 2016 was on 4th June, which took us to The Mystique Mountain with Ruins in Ritigala. The Ritigala Buddhist Monastery nestles deep inside the Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve, and is the partially excavated ruins of an extensive Buddhist Monastery. It was abandoned following invasions in 10th and 11th centuries. The tour was led by Architect Ashley de Vos – Trustee of The National Trust.
March 2016
1st Quarter tour 2016- a tour of ancient sites in the Wellawaya area including Maligawila, Bodhinagoda, Dematamal Viharaya, Biso pokuna of the 12th century palace complex in Galebadde, Yudaganawa and Buduruwagala museam and site on Saturday and Sunday – 5th and 6th of March 2016. Conducted by National Trust Trustee Architect Prof. Nimal de Silva.
November 2015
4th Quarter tour 2015- Tour to Padeniya, Yapahuwa and Arankele on Saturday 28th November 2015.
August 2015
3rd Quarter tour 2015- Tour of ancient sites in Anuradhapura including Jethawanarama, Abhayagiri dagoba, Ruwanwelisaya, Sri Maha Bodhiya and other sites on Saturday 29th August 2015. Conducted by National Trust Trustee Architect Ashley de Vos.
May 2015
2nd Quarter tour 2015- Train Tour to Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya University Library & Trinity college chapel in Kandy on Saturday 30th May 2015 .
Conducted by National Trust Trustee Architect Ismeth Raheem & Vinodh Wickremeratne.
Tour of Trees in and around the Colombo Museum on Sunday 17th May 2015 Conducted by National Trust Trustee Architect Ismeth Raheem, the tour covered the trees and plants in the vicinity of the Colombo Museum, Viharamahadevi Park and Independence Square.
Mar. 2015
1st Quarterly Tour 2015 – Overview on Heritage Monuments located along Galle Road up to Dodanduwa.
Aug. 2014
3rd qtr tour on 30-31st Aug. 2014
May. 2014
2nd qtr tour on 31st May 2014 – Tour of Colonial Buildings of Matara.
Mar. 2014
1st Quarterly Tour 2014 – Visit to Hachchikuchchi Vihare and Raswehera.
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Nov. 2013
4th Quarter Tour 2013 – Visit Rankoth Vehare, Asokarama Maha Vihare, Richmond Castle, Raigam Citadel and Horana Raja Maha Vihare.
Tour No-27
3rd Qtr Tour – Visit the Devales of Ratnapura
Tour No-26
2nd Quater Tour 2013 – Visit to Dambulla
Tour No-25
1st Qtr Tour 2013 – Visit to the Buddhist – Hindu Shrines of the Gampola Regime
Tour No-24
4th Quarterly Tour – “Tour Down South” – 24th November 2012
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Tour No-23
3rd Quarterly Tour – “Tour of the Kingdom of Kotte” – 25th August 2012
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Tour No-22
2nd Quarterly Tour – “Chasing Butterflies” – 26th May 2012
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Tour No-21
1st Quarter Tour 2012 – “Beyond Ratnapura” – 25th February 2012
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Tour No-20
Tour of Old Colombo – Mosque at 2nd Cross street, Sri Ramanathan Kovil, St Peters Church Fort, Wolvendhal Church Kotahena, St. James Church, Mutwal , St Thomas’ Church Gintupitiya and the National Museum
Tour No-19
Tewatte Basilica, Cathedral at Kurunegala, Ridi Vihare at Ridigama, Aluvihare in Matale, Mankidena Archaelological Site
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Tour No-18
Olaboduwa Dance School, Estate Bungalow of de Soysa Family, Martin de Porres’ Church at Horana, ‘Gamagedara’ at Gurugoda – Horana and Veedagama Temple at Bandaragama
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Tour No-17
Keragala Padmawathi Parivena, Pilikuttuwa Vihara, Way-side Rest Halls (Ambalamas) at Ambagaspitiya and Averiyawela, Algama Water Fall and Mottunna Vihara at Veyangoda
The World Heritage City of Kandy, and the Balana Fort with Professor Nimal de Silva
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Tour No-16
Muturajawela Visitor Centre and the introductory lecture on the Muturajawela Marshes, Boat ride along the Hamilton Canal across the Marsh and to the Negombo lagoon, Pamunugama Church and the passion play stage and Leprosy Hospital at Hendala
Tour No-15
Antiquities Replica Centre at Bataleeya, traditional cane weaver’s workshop at Wevaldeniya, Beligala Vihara to see the ancient Bodhi-kotuwa and Elephant Orphanage at Pinnawela
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Tour No-14
Traditional potter’s workshop at Kelaniya, Star Granite workshop at Minuwangoda that deals with stone sculpture, Dankotuwa Porcelain Factory to see some of the finest Sri Lankan Crockery, Sandalanka Tile Factory at Sandalankawa and Chitrasena School of Dancing to view a special dancing demonstration arranged by Trustee Upeka
Tour No-13
The Malwana Fort, the Sitawaka Citadel, Barandi Kovila, the old suspension vehicular bridge and the Maha Saman Devale Ratnapura with Dr. Roland Silva
Tour No-12
Henaratgoda Botanical Gardens, Bandaranyake Memorial Library and Cultural Centre at Nittambuwa, Attanagalle Rajamaha Vihara, Pinwatte and Ahugoda Temples near Potuhera and Nagolla Rajamaha Vihara
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Tour No-11
Mural Paintings in Colombo Temples with Prof. Nimal de Silva
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Tour No-10
The World Heritage Site of Sigiriya with Dr. Roland Silva
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Tour No-09
The World Heritage Site of the Galle Fort with Ashley de Vos Heritage Buildings
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Tour No-08
Portuguese Padaro on boulder – Colombo Harbour, Churches at Gintupitiya, Whist Bangalow – Mutwal and St. Peter’s Church – Fort
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Tour No-07
The World Heritage Site of the Sinharaja rainforest with Gehan de Silva Wijeyaratne
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Tour No-06
The Kurunegala Citadel, Padeniya Temple, Yapahuwa, Arankale with Dr. Roland Silva
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Tour No-05
The studio of Chandrajeewa, the Panduwanuwara Citadel, Bihalpola Temple, the Dambadeniya Citadel, the Scottish Castle in Andigama, Panavitiya Ambalama with Dr. Roland Silva and Professor Senake Bandaranayake
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Tour No-04
The Dutch Canal, the Negombo Fort, Munneswaram Kovil, Kalpitiya Fort, Kalpitiya Mosque and St. Anne’s Church Talawila with Dr. Roland Silva
Heritage Buildings of Colombo with Ismeth Raheem
Tour No-03
Malvana Fort, Hanwella Fort, Sitavaka Fort, Barandi Kovil and Nadun Vihara
Tour No-02
Raigama, the bay of Beruwala, Lunuganga and The Brief with Dr. Roland Silva and Professor Senake Bandaranayake
Tour No-01
Varana Rajamaha Vihara, Botale Rajamaha Vihara, D.S. Senanayake Walawwa at Botale, Ambepussa Railway Station, Kotavehera and Museum at Dedigama, Portuguese Fort at Manikkadawara and Horagolla Walawwa.
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