Things To Do Ratnapura

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Places To Visit In Ratnapura

Gemmological Museum

Established by a local gemmologist, this museum houses quartz, fossils, artefacts and an impressive collection of precious stones such as rubies and amethysts. The Ratnapura Gemmological Museum is a great place to learn about gem mining in Sri Lanka, with pictures of the mining process and mining tools on display. Visitors can buy gemstones and jewellery here as well.

Located on a hill in the middle of Ratnapura, visitors to the Kajugaswatta Temple can enjoy a great view of the city of Ratnapura. The temple is an important Buddhist place of worship and also has a giant Buddha statue in its compound, where locals come to pay homage.

The 40-metre tall Kalthota Doowili Ella Falls are located in the Rajawaka Reserve. Visitors have to trek through the forest amidst lush greenery, peace, and solitude to get to the waterfall. There is a viewpoint near the falls, from which visitors can see dust clouds formed by water droplets. The compound has washrooms and residential facilities. The waterfall is not meant for swimming in, however.

Water in this 6-metre tall waterfall flows in two parts, with the falls being at the end of a small trek over rocks and streams. Water from the springs of the Katugas Ella Sri Pada Forest cascades down the path, leading to the waterfall further upstream. Visitors can bathe in the natural pools along the way. There also is a natural pool near the foot of the waterfalls, but it is best avoided during the rainy season.

Dedicated to the deity Saman, the Maha Saman Dewalaya has a rich history. The shrine is believed to have been built in the 13th century, destroyed and replaced with a church by the Portuguese in 1618, and rebuilt by King Rajasinghe II in the 18th century. The temple has two platforms and a three-storied structure known as the palace beyond the platform. The shrine is known for its annual procession, the Esala Perahara, held from August - September. The Perahara lasts 13 days and is accompanied by elephant shows and dance performances. Read More

Opened in 1988, the National Museum at Ratnapura is housed in “Ehelepola Walauwa”, a building that once belonged to a courtier of the Kingdom of Kandy. The museum features exhibits on Sri Lanka’s natural heritage, geological, anthropological and zoological artefacts related to the Sabaragamuwa Province, as well as exhibits on prehistoric inventions in the region. In addition, the museum has weaponry such as a First World War machine gun and late mediaeval Sinhala swords on display, as well as cooking utensils of the region. Read More

Sampath Gems and Jewels sells gemstones and jewels sourced directly from the island. Visitors can get an all-around experience of gemstone mining and manufacture here and can even buy them. Some stones are known for their healing properties, and the knowledgeable staff help with understanding the values of and choosing stones to buy.

Built atop a rocky mountain, the Sri Sankapala Raja Maha Viharaya temple is located on the outskirts of Ratnapura. There are 14 caves scattered around the temple, a cavity in a rock locals call “Thapas Guwaha” and a place locals believe to be the tombstone of Pussa Deva. Because of its location on top of a mountain, visitors can enjoy a great view of the temple’s surroundings.