A former 14th-century royal capital, Kurunegala is dominated by Athugala ("Elephant Rock"), a massive granite outcrop rising above the town said to resemble a crouching elephant, topped by a large seated Buddha statue.
94 kmDistance from Colombo
~2 hrsTypical drive time
The climb to the statue offers panoramic views over the surrounding lakes and coconut plantations, and the town itself makes a convenient waypoint between Colombo and the Cultural Triangle.