Anuradhapura Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura is, according to legend, one of the oldest and most storied cities in Sri Lanka. It is said to have been first settled by Anuradha, a follower of Prince Vijaya, who is regarded as the founder of the Sinhala race. From those mythic beginnings, the settlement grew into a great capital, formally established by King Pandukabhaya around 380 BCE.

This short film offers a glimpse into the city's ancient grandeur — its sacred monuments, its sweeping reservoirs, and the quiet dignity of a place that once stood at the heart of an entire civilisation.

A City Planned with Remarkable Foresight

According to the Mahavamsa, the epic chronicle of Sinhala history, King Pandukabhaya's city was a model of urban planning. Distinct precincts were set aside for huntsmen, for scavengers, and for heretics, as well as for foreigners — a degree of social organisation that speaks to the sophistication of the age. The city also maintained hostels and hospitals, at least one Jain chapel, and separate cemeteries for high and low castes.

Water and the Art of the Tank

Ensuring a reliable water supply was central to Anuradhapura's prosperity. King Pandukabhaya oversaw the construction of tanks — large artificial reservoirs that fed the city and its surrounding lands. One of these, built in the king's own name, survives to this day under the altered name of Baswak Kulam, a living testament to the engineering ambition of ancient Sri Lanka.

A Legacy That Endures

Anuradhapura's importance extends far beyond its founding stories. As the cradle of Sinhala civilisation, it shaped the culture, religion, and identity of the island for centuries. The ancient monuments that rise above its plains — dagobas, sacred trees, and the remnants of royal palaces — continue to draw those who wish to understand where Sri Lanka's long history truly began.