Ratnapura Gem city

Rathnapurais  the capitol of sabaragamuwa  province of srilanka and Rathnapura district “rathnapura”that names comes from the Sinhala “Rathna” meaning  gems and “pura” meaning city .
Rathnarura is the most famous Gem mining locality in srilanka .it is the center of a long –established industry of precious stone mining  Rubies, sapphires, cat’s Eyes, Alexandrite,
Aquqmqrines,Tourmalines ,spinels,Topaz, Garnets, Amethyst, Zircons and other Gems and also the traditional way of cutting and polishing gem stones by this area peoples
They look crudely built but they follow a traditional design which enable the near –naked miners at the bottom to pass up gem –bearing gravel to the top this gravel is known as” illam”  it is washed in shallow reed baskets that allow the mud and water to fall away leaving the behavior gravel this is sifted thoroughly  for gem stones small one are sold directly to dealers while bigger ones are auctioned a great ruby given to the queen  of Sheba by king Solomon is said to have from the island  a gem adorning the Ruwanwelisaya dageba at Anuradapura was described in 1239 by marcopolo as a flawless ruby a span long and quite as thick as a man’s arm . The British crown contains a 400 carat blue sapphire known as Blue Belle that was mined in the Ceylon also Rathnapura.

White water Rafting

Kitulgalla is located south part of hill country of kandy it provides an ideal base from which many white water rafting trips take place in this wide range of kalani river