Peradeniya is home to Sri Lanka's largest botanical gardens, the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya
The Peradeniya gardens were first planted for King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha (1747-1780) and extends over some 150 acres. This Royal Park became a botanical garden in 1821 under British rule. In the middle of the gardens is an artificial lake in the form of the island of Sri Lanka. The avenue of palms displayed in this popular image was planted by the British in 1905.