Rathnapura
gem Paradise
Gem City
The city of gems, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, stands as a region renowned for its exceptional participation and mastery in the art of gemstone creation. Around the world, many exquisite pieces of jewelry are adorned with a variety of gemstones unearthed from the rich soils of Sri Lanka. Join us on a journey to discover the birth of a precious gem
The Sri Lankan Who Gifted a Gem to Queen Elizabeth
Nimal Pathirana
Nimal Pathirana was a name that shone like a diamond in the world of gems in Ratnapura. Among the most renowned gem traders of his era in the Ratnapura region, he stood out as one of the most prominent. Traveling abroad countless times until his passport was filled with visas, he gained international fame as a global gem dealer.
Among the many large blue sapphires unearthed from the soil of Ratnapura, one of the most remarkable events in his life was the gifting of a specially cut and polished blue sapphire to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The gems that once passed through his hands still sparkle today in the royal family’s jewelry collections. This story of gems is an everlasting tale that radiates the heritage of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka’s gem legacy, and the craftsmanship of the Sri Lankan artisan to the entire world.
Is Ratnapura only about gems?
. No. Ratnapura is not only about gems. If you travel from Colombo to Ratnapura, you will have the opportunity to experience many things you may have never experienced in your life before. Along this journey, you will come across ancient sites, wet zone forests, waterfalls, rivers, and valleys. There is also the possibility of observing various animals that are endemic to this region.
gem mine experience
In the Ratnapura area, there are various types of gem mines, and by joining our tour, you will have a rare opportunity that few others ever get to go down into the mines, mine for gems, work together with the miners, learn about the mines, and study them. It’s an experience that will add countless valuable memories to your life a unique adventure that will give you both enjoyment and a truly unforgettable experience.
Places to visit along the way
01.gem market
Ratnapura is a city that has earned a prominent name both in Sri Lanka and around the world for its association with gemstones. It serves as the main marketplace where gems unearthed not only from the gem mines of Ratnapura but also from various other regions of Sri Lanka are brought for sale. Buyers and sellers from across the country come to this gem market to trade gemstones.
This market, which usually begins around 6:30 in the morning, offers gemstones that range from those of modest value to those worth extremely high sums. One of the most remarkable aspects of this market is that all transactions are carried out entirely based on verbal agreements, founded on mutual trust among the traders.
The merchants and buyers who gather here are highly experienced individuals, many of whom have been involved in the gem trade for decades. Over the centuries, this market has developed its own unique culture, along with a distinct linguistic style and terminology used by the traders.
Such is the trust that people place in this marketplace that even gemstones worth millions are often carried here simply in small pouches. Several gem markets can be found within the Ratnapura city limits, but among them, the gem market located near the Ratnapura Clock Tower holds a particularly special and distinguished place.
02.Gem Museum
Since the Ratnapura region is widely known for its gemstones, the Gem Museum in Ratnapura was established to provide an opportunity for those who are interested in and wish to study gemstones to gain in-depth knowledge about them.
At this museum, visitors can learn about the history of gemstones, the process of gem extraction, methods of gem cutting, and the various types of gemstones found in Sri Lanka and around the world. In addition, it provides scientific explanations related to gemstones, the geological and environmental factors that contribute to the formation of different types of gems, and detailed insights into how gemstones are naturally created within the earth.
Furthermore, the museum also serves as a platform to explore the cultural values and social aspects connected with the lifestyles of people involved in gem mining within the Ratnapura region. It presents a systematic overview of how the gem mining industry and related livelihoods have evolved from the past to the present day.
Visitors can observe the ancient tools and techniques used by miners in earlier times, as well as the different types of gem mines that existed. Altogether, the Gem Museum of Ratnapura stands as the most comprehensive and informative venue for anyone wishing to deeply understand the history, science, and culture surrounding Sri Lanka’s world-renowned gem industry.
03.saparagamu sri samana samana dewalaya
The most sacred place in the Ratnapura region is the Sumana Saman Devalaya, which is regarded as the abode of Sumana Saman Deviyo, the guardian deity of Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak). The people of Ratnapura hold this temple in the highest reverence, considering it a deeply sacred site. It is an ancient royal temple with significant historical and architectural value, showcasing traditional craftsmanship and beautiful ancient murals that reflect Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage.
Those engaged in gem mining and related occupations visit this temple with immense devotion, firmly believing that their success, prosperity, and good fortune are blessings bestowed upon them by Sumana Saman Deviyo.
The temple also organizes a magnificent annual procession (Perahera), which is celebrated with great grandeur and spiritual enthusiasm. This colorful and vibrant event features traditional dances unique to the Ratnapura region, various Sri Lankan cultural performances, and majestic elephants adorned in ceremonial attire, adding to the splendor of the festival.
With a history that extends back thousands of years, the Saman Devalaya stands not only as a sacred landmark of Ratnapura but also as a cherished symbol of devotion and heritage for all Sri Lankans, embodying immense historical and religious significance within the district and the nation as a whole
04.Bopath Ella Waterfall
Located near Kuruwita in the Ratnapura district, Bopath Ella is a waterfall that attracts both Sri Lankans and foreign visitors alike. The name “Bopath” was derived because the shape of the waterfall resembles the leaf of a Bo tree (sacred fig tree).
According to local folklore that has been passed down through generations, certain mysterious incidents are said to have occurred in this area, leading people to believe that Bopath Ella possesses a mystical energy. Some even believe that hidden treasures lie concealed beneath its waters — tales that continue to be part of the oral traditions of the local community.
The waterfall stands at a height of 30 meters (98 feet) and is formed by the Kuru Ganga, a tributary of the Kalu Ganga. It has an average water flow rate of 6 cubic meters (65 cubic feet) per second, and its catchment area receives an average annual rainfall of about 5,080 millimeters (200 inches). The water from the falls is also used for paddy cultivation in the surrounding areas.
Bopath Ella is one of the most extensively studied waterfalls in Sri Lanka. Its crystal-clear waters and the serene, continuous flow of the stream make it a place of captivating natural beauty. Visiting Bopath Ella offers a truly enchanting experience an opportunity to witness one of the island’s most beautiful and iconic waterfalls in all its splendo
05.EhalePola walauwa museum
The National Museum of Ratnapura is one of the national museums of Sri Lanka. It is located in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka and it was opened on 13 May 1988.[1] The museum building is called “Ehelepola Walauwa”, as it once belonged to Ehelepola Nilame,[2] a courtier of the Kingdom of Kandy, who was the 1st Adigar (1811 – 1814) under the reign King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha, the last king of Sri Lanka, for whom he served as the Disawe (local Governor) of Ratnapura.[3]
The museum includes exhibits on prehistoric archaeological inventions, natural heritage, geological, anthropological, zoological artifacts and models relating to the Sabaragamuwa Province. The weaponry on display include Sinhala swords of the late medieval era including a sword alleged to have belonged to Ehelepola, and a collection of old guns including a Vickers machine gun used during the First World War The cooking utensils of the region include a tripod pan with three moulds for preparing rice flour cakes known as kiri roti. Traditional Kandyan jewellery includes necklaces, bangles, anklets and earrings. The grounds of the museum contain a palaeobiodiversity park, with life-sized animal sculptures of species believed to have existed in the region.
06.Gem Mines
Sri Lanka’s gem industry has a very long and colorful history. Sri Lanka was affectionately known as Ratna-Dweepa which means Gem Island. The name is a reflection of its natural wealth. Marco Polo wrote that the island had the best sapphires, topazes, amethysts, and other gems in the world. Ptolemy, the nd century astronomer recorded that beryl and sapphire were the mainstay of Sri Lanka’s gem industry. Records from sailors that visited the island state that they brought back “jewels of Serendib”. Serendib was the ancient name given to the island by middle eastern and Persian traders that crossed the Indian Ocean to trade gems from Sri Lanka to the East during the 4th and 5th century. Often the historical word “Ceylon” is used within gem industries to denote stones that come from the island.
Sri Lanka, geologically speaking is an extremely old country. Ninety percent of the rocks of the island are of Precambrian age, 560 million to 2,400 million years ago. The gems form in sedimentary residual gem deposits, eluvial deposits, metamorphic deposits, skarn and calcium-rich rocks. Nearly all the gem formations in Sri Lanka are located in the central high-grade metamorphic terrain of the Highland Complex. The gem deposits are classified as sedimentary, metamorphic and magmatic; the sedimentary types being the most abundant. The mineralogy of the gem deposits varies widely with, among others, corundum (sapphire, ruby), chrysoberyl, beryl, spinel, topaz, zircon, tourmaline, garnet being common.
Residual deposits are mainly found in flood plains of rivers and streams. The metamorphic types of gems constitute 90% of the gem deposits in Sri Lanka. It has been estimated that nearly 25% of the total land area of Sri Lanka is potentially gem-bearing, making Sri Lanka one of the countries with the highest density of gem deposits compared to its landmass.
Ratnapura contains the most gem deposits and derived its name from the gem industry. Ratnapura means “city of gems”
07.Pothgul Rajamaha Viharaya Temple
Ratnapura Pothgul Rajamaha Viharaya is a picturesque cave temple built on top of a hill believed to have been built by King Vatta Gamini Abhaya better known as King Walagamba ( (89-77 BC) in the 1st century. There are two temples belonging to these two periods within the Pothgul Viharaya.
The cave image house at the temple is the most historically significant section of the temple. The terrace where the cave is about 350 feet long. All caves have drip ledges. The left cave is 87 feet (26.5 meters) long and 62 feet (18.9 meters) wide.
On the south is the cave temple which was built by King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747 – 1781). This cave is 56 feet (17.7 meters) long 29 feet (8.8 meters) and 16 feet (4.9 meters) in height. The 27 cubits (40 feet) reclining Buddha statue across the image house is made from lime and plaster. Statues of deities Saman and Vishnu are found close to the head of the Buddha statue.
Infront of the statue, inside the cave, there is a small well 1 feet 2 inches in length and breadth and 4 feet 2 inches deep used for fetching water for Buddha Pooja. South of this is another cave with a stone well, a Bodhi tree and a stupa.
This natural well known as ‘Daru Pokuna’ (child pond). There is a belief that the water of the pond has medicinal properties. Below the rock there are two meditation cells and at the end of the Vihara compound is a cell used by guards. A secret tunnel is visible. The ceiling of the cave is covered with beautiful frescoes.
About 70 feet south of the well lies another cave temple known as the Aluth Viharaya, the New Temple. This temple and its statues had been constructed at a later stage. However, this had been the oldest viharaya of this temple. The Portugues had destroyed the viharaya of this cave and the Stupa and had built a small fortification here.
It is said that after Thripitakaya was documented in Pali at Matale Alu Viharaya during the time of King Walagamba, more copies were sent to this temple for distribution and thus became known as Pothgul (library) viharaya.
On the ground of the temple, you will find an ancient Tampita Viharaya. Tampita Vihara was a popular architectural feature of temples during the Kandyan era. Here the temple is built on top of granite stumps with wooden platforms laid across the stumps. This structure probably belongs to the period of King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe oh
This temple can be reached by travelling 3.2 km along the Ratnapura-Palawela road and a further distance of 3.2 km from the Kotamulla Junction turning right at Karangoda Vidyalaya and travelling another 0.5 Km after having crossed the river. This is a new route provided to have access to the temple. Before reaching the junction close to Karangoda Vidyalaya there is a small bridge that should be crossed on foot. To reach the precincts of the Viharaya, a total of 454 steps will have to be climbed
08.Katugas Ella Waterfall
Katugas Ella is a small and serene waterfall, about 6 meters high, hidden in the lush green surroundings of Ratnapura District. The water flows from Katugas Dola, a tributary of the Kalu Ganga, forming a cascading multi-tier stream before plunging into natural pools. It is a peaceful spot, ideal for meditation, reflection, or gentle bathing in dry season
09.Udawalawe National Park
Udawalawe National Park is a national park on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka. The park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir. The reserve covers 30,821 hectares (119.00 sq mi) of land area and was established on 30 June 1972.
Before the designation of the national park, the area was used for shifting cultivation (chena farming). The farmers were gradually removed once the national park was declared. The park is 165 kilometres (103 mi) from Colombo. Udawalawe is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third-most visited park in the country
The habitat surrounding at the reservoir includes marshes, the Walawe river and its tributaries, forests and grasslands. Dead trees standing in the reservoir are visual reminders of the extent of forest cover before the construction of the Udawalawe Dam. Green algae, including Pediastrum and Scenedesmus spp., and blue green algae species such as Microsystis, occur in the reservoir. Areas of open grassland are abundant as a result of former chena farming practices.[1] There is a plantation of teak beyond the southern boundary, below the dam, which was planted before the declaration of the park. Species recorded from the park include 94 plants, 21 fish, 12 amphibians, 33 reptiles, 184 birds (33 of which are migratory), and 43 mammals. Additionally 135 species of butterflies are among the invertebrates found in Udawalawe.