Top Things to do in Eastern Province
What to do and see in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka: The Best Free Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka including Rice & Carry Bags Shop, Velgam Vehera, Koneswaram Temple, Kantale Lake, Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara, Deegavapi Stupa, Buddhangala Monastery, Arisimale Beach, Girihadu Seya, Trincomalee War Cemetery.
Restaurants in Eastern Province
1. Rice & Carry Bags Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 24 reviews
Rice & carry is a social enterprise whose aim is not to optimize profits but to empower and positively impact communities on Sri Lanka's east coast. We provide work in a small centralized production unit as well as within homes in different villages. Our makers are women from rural areas who have worked with us to become creative and professional manufacturers. Our shop displays all our products.
Reviewed By butterflyl0ve - Bristol, United Kingdom
Just off the main strip of shops in Arugam Bay and a few minutes walk from the beach, a visit to the Rice & Carry shop is definitely a must-do during a stay in the Arugam area. It's a fantastic and inspiring example of a brilliant local social enterprise tackling problems of employment for women alongside environmental and plastic pollution issues. And the products are amazing - a huge range of bags and a few other items all made from upcycled plastic rice bags, hessian sacks and carrier bags. There are loads of different designs from little purses to sports bags and every item is unique and really high quality. I bought a whole range of products for myself and as perfect gifts for friends back home, which everyone loved! The shop is also a cool place to visit with its rustic, up cycled design and the staff were really friendly and happy to chat about the company and what they are doing. Loved it!
2. Velgam Vehera
3. Koneswaram Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 915 reviews
Reviewed By RamblingR - Melbourne, Australia
There is something exhilarating about standing on the top of a rock and taking in a magnificent view. From this temple, which is as close to God as anyone can get here in Trincomalee, the views over the Indian Ocean are sublime. There are small shrines built into the cliff and it is lovely to stand with Hindu devotees as they perform their rituals. The temple, the people, and the wonderful view make this place a worthy place to visit. On our way down the hill, after collecting our shoes, we sat in a coconut cafe, high above the cliff, sipping coconut water whilst immersing ourselves with this unforgettable cultural experience.
4. Kantale Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By chathuandishanka - Kalutara, Sri Lanka
Nice calm place to rest a bit when you are traveling to Trincomalee. Enough spaces are there to park vehicles. No shops nearby. So you have to enjoy what you have taken with you. View is awesome either side of the dam. Specially early mornings and late evenings.
5. Seruwila Mangala Raja Maha Vihara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By SujeewaW_12 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Seruwila Raja Maha Vihara is an ancient temple which is among the sixteen holiest Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka [Solosmasthana]. It is reachable via Trincomalee - Muttur (42.4Kms) or via Kantalai - Allai (45Kms). Both the roads are well carpeted and in pretty good condition (Better than roads in Colombo) . which is approximately 45 km through dense forest. There are many monuments in the complex including Stupa which was originated in 2nd Century B.C. and restored in 1920's.Restored Northern entrance ,with evidence of molded bricks, balustrades, guard stones and moonstones.Western entrance with evidences of preliminary stages of stone works in moldings showing exemplary stone jointing methods.Southern entrance with balustrades of elephant motifs, guard stones and stone door frame.Eastern entrance, Image house building at the Stupa terrace, Sculptured stone lotus, Bo tree shrine [Bodhighara], Ancient pond, Remains of ancient Chapter House, Remains of monasteries and remains of a building on stone pillars. You can find natural stone platform and caves with primitive paintings According to the history this complex was build by King Kavantissa (2nd century B.C.) who was ruling the Kingdom of Ruhuna and the sacred relic, which was the frontal bone of the Buddha, was enshrined in the stupa which was known as Tissa Maha Vehera Every year thousands of devotees visit this sacred place for worship and its worth visiting this place if you are a explorer of Buddhist history.
6. Deegavapi Stupa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By mytropicaljournal - Colombo, Sri Lanka
An archaeological site with a long history dated back to the 03rd century. The most prominent factor is the place has been visited by the Lord Buddha himself. Remaining of the ancient stupa is available in the site which is the only visible remaining of the ancient time. There are other temple buildings but built in the modern-day. Near the parking area, there are few toy, hats and snack stalls. Hats, scarfs and water are must due to the hot climate. The orange juice sells at stalls is a definite thirst quencher. Might be boring if you are not a fan of archaeological sites. Need to dress appropriately for a temple.
7. Buddhangala Monastery
8. Arisimale Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By RifnazM - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
It's a rare beach you can find because of it's location and the sand. Beach sand almost similar to rice thereby it's called as "Arisimalai" in the local language. The crystal clear water and the slight waves will make you curious if you bath there. Highly recommend to visit if you cross Pulmodai, Sri Lanka eventhough it's quiet difficult to be there.
9. Girihadu Seya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By charithb2015 - Colombo, Sri Lanka
Wonderful ancient shrine which deemed to be the first Stupa in the world. Located at a higher elevation on a flat province giving a unique view. 40 mins from Trinco and 10 mins to pulmudei. Safe and secured area with lots of nature friendly atmosphere. Early morning or late evening time is recommended. Please donate for the temple as the shrine is highly underprivileged.
10. Trincomalee War Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 284 reviews
Trincomalee is a seaport on the north-eastern coast of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and was formerly a naval station. After the fall of Singapore it became a naval base of importance to our command of shipping in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. The cemetery was originally the Combined Services Cemetery, but was taken over by the Admiralty from the military authorities in April 1948 for use as a permanent naval cemetery. On the withdrawal of United Kingdom Forces from Ceylon it became the property of the Ceylon Government who have granted the Commission security of tenure in perpetuity. Save for a few post-war and non-war graves it is purely a war cemetery, and service war graves were transferred to it from Trincomalee (St. Mary) Churchyard; Trincomalee (St. Stephen's) Cemetery, Kottadi Cemetery, Jaffna; and Vavuiyna Combined Cemetery. A special memorial commemorates a naval man buried in Trincomalee (St. Stephen's) Cemetery whose grave could not be found. The non-war graves are those of men of the Merchant Navy whose death was not due to war service, and of civilians, of whom some were employees of the Admiralty; while the post-war graves were dependents of servicemen, civilian employees of the Admiralty and dependents of such employees.
Reviewed By ericnjan - Bolton, United Kingdom
This peaceful cemetary is beautifully kept by the staff. It has 364 graves, and many do not contain bodies having never been recovered. This includes British, French, Dutch forces, but also Muslim and Indian members of the forces - it shows what a truly allied force was out here and 'fought for our futures'. Very moving to walk around the graveyard, any visit pays tribute to the fallen.
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