Sri Lanka boasts of a documented history of over 2000 years with the first stone objects dating back to 500,000 BC mainly due to ancient historic scriptures like Mahawansa several centuries of intermittent foreign,influence,has transformed Sri Lankan culture to the present outlook.Nevertheless ancient traditions and festivals are celebrated by mostly conservative Sinhalese people of the island,together with other minorities that make up the Sri Lanka identity.

The architecture of Sri Lanka displays a rich variety of architectural forms and styles.Buddhism had a significant influence on Sri Lankan architecture,since it was introduced to the island in 3rd century BCE. However techniques and styles developed in Europe and Asia have also played a major role in the architecture of Sri Lanka.

Many forms of Sri Lankan arts and crafts take inspiration from the Island's long and lasting Buddhist culture which in turn has absorbed and adopted countless regional and local traditions.In most instances Sri Lankan art originates from religious beliefs,and a represented in many forms such as painting,sculpture and architecture.One of the most notable aspects of Sri Lankan art are caves and temple paintings,such as the frescoes found at Sigiriya and religious paintings found in temples in Dambulla and Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Other popular forms of art have been influenced by both natives as well as outside settlers.For example,traditional wooden handicrafts and clay pottery are found around the hill country while Portuguese-inspired lacework and Indonesian-inspired Batik have become notable.Its has many different and beautiful drawings. 

                                                                                                      ( Umesha Erandi ) 

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