Met on arrival by chauffeur/guide and transferred by Micro Van to Colombo Hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Colombo including a visit to Gangaramaya Temple, Hindu temple, Wolvendaal Dutch Church, Hultsdorf Law Courts and Independence Square. Drive includes the bazaar in Pettah, the commercial ‘Fort’ area and the wealthy residential area of Cinnamon Gardens. Lunch at a restaurant in Colombo (Optional) Possibility remains to include a game of golf at the Royal Colombo Golf Club in the afternoon depending on the time of arrival of flight. Overnight stay at Colombo.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave for Colombo . Enroute visit Seetha Amman temple, Seetha Eliya- The stream that runs from the hill, catered to the needs of Sitadevi during her stay at Ashoka Vatika. She is said to have bathed in this stream. Now there is temple for Lord Rama, Sitadevi, Luxshmana, and Hanuman by the side of this stream. It is interesting to note that foot prints akin to Lord Hanuman’s are found by this river and some are of small size and some are of large size, which tells us of the immense powers of hanuman transforming himself into any size. After lunch Visit Divurumpola- means a ‘place of oath’. Divurumpola is the place that Sitadevi, after her liberation from King Ravana underwent a test to prove here chastity by offering herself to fire. However she came unscathed and proved here innocence and purity.The message of Rama’s victory over Ravana was sent to Sita. After a bath and adorned with jewels she was taken on a palanquin before Rama. Meeting her husband after such a long time she was overcome with emotion, but Rama seemed lost in thought. At length he spoke, “I have killed my enemy. I have done my duty as a true king. But you have lived for a year in the enemy’s abode. It is not proper I take you back now.” Sita was shocked. “You have broken my heart” she said, “only the uncultured speak like this”. Have you forgotten the noble family I come from? Is it my fault Ravana carried me off by force? All the time, my mind, my heart, and soul were fixed on you alone, my lord!” She turned to Lakshmana and said with tears streaming from her eyes, “prepare for me a fire. That is the only remedy for this sorrow of mine.” Lakshmana in suppressed anger, looked at Rama’s face, but there was no softening, he lighted a big fire. Sita reverently went round her husband and approached the blazing fire. Joining her palms in salutation, she said, “if I am pure, o fire, protect me.” With these words she jumped into the flames. Then arose from out of the flames Agni, the fire-lord, whom she had invoked. He lifted Sita from the flames unharmed, and presented her to Rama. “Don’t I know that she is spotless and pure at heart?” cried Rama, standing up to receive her. It’s for the sake of the world that I made her go through this ordeal of fire, so that the truth may be known to all.” The spot was initially fenced and walled to protect it from surrounding wilderness. Then a sapling of the Anuradhapura bodhi tree (one of the 30 original saplings) was planted as a mark of respect of the place. A small dagoba was built subsequently under the Bodhi tree. The temple depicts paintings of the Ramayana epic. Today the temple is revered for the oath taken by Sitadevi and even the legal system permits and accepts the swearing done at this temple while settling disputes between parties. Evening visit Hakgala Garden. Dinner and overnight at a Colombo hotel.

After breakfast proceed for airport for departure