Panadura: A River-Mouth Beach Town South of Colombo
Panadura sits where the Bolgoda river meets the sea, just south of Colombo. It is an easygoing town with a long beach, a busy weekend feel and a place in history as the site of the famous 1873 Panadura debate between Buddhist and Christian speakers.
The beach
Panadura’s wide beach is a favourite evening spot for local families, with the river mouth at one end and fishing boats drawn up on the sand. It is more a slice of everyday coastal life than a resort beach.
A place in history
The Panadura debate of 1873, a public exchange on religion, became a landmark in the Buddhist revival of colonial Ceylon. The town has several temples and churches that reflect its layered past.
Getting there
Panadura is a quick trip down the coast from Colombo by train or the coastal road, and it is the junction where the road turns inland towards Ratnapura.
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