One of the highlights of Sri Lanka is Sigiriya. From a distance you can already see this monolith Sirgiriya.
Sigiriya is derived from Siha Giri which means lion rock.
It is a freestanding rock with straight vertical walls.
You can climb this rock by stairs. On top of the rock you can see the remains of the old palace of Kassapa from the 5th century AD. The palace used to be painted with beautiful frescoes.
Halfway up the climb you see huge lion feet between which the stairs goes up. On the way up you will pass the famous cloud girls and the mirror wall.
The view is beautiful.
In the surroundings of Sigiriya are 2 national parks near the ancient water reservoirs where many elephants live. Between the two parks are elephant routes which the elephants use at certain times of the year. In these parks you can see really large groups of elephants up to hundreds at a time.

What to see and do:
museum, climbing the rock, visiting remains of old town, views, safari

Pictures: