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Kandy A World Heritage Site
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Kandy city acquires a significant place amongst the ancient cities of Sri Lanka. The kingdoms that were initially centered around Rajarata later migrated southwestward due to various invasions. Accordingly, the regional kingdoms of Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala gained power from time to time with the Kandyan Kingdom eventually gaining prominence to become the leading kingdom by the 18th century.

In ancient times, traveling to Kandy was an arduous task due to its dense forests, rugged mountains and wild beasts. In fact this area was selected as a kingdom mainly due to these natural barriers, especially to prevent incursions from European colonial powers that had established itself in the lowcountry. It was built in a valley surrounded by three mountain ranges; Udawattakele, Hantane range and Bahirawakanda range. Kandy has been variously called Malaya Deshaya, Kande Rajyaya, Kanda Udarata, and the Kandyan Kingdom due to its mountainous nature. The name Kandy itself is a corruption of Kanda Uda Rata (the Country over the mountains). In Sinhala it is also known as Maha Nuwara (The Great City).

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