Sri Lanka’s folklore is a treasure chest of legends passed down through generations. Tales of romance, bravery, sacrifice and kingship. From Mount Lavinia’s secret love affair to Sigiriya’s epic rivalry, these stories blend history and myth, revealing the heart of the island’s culture. Each tale carries values that still inspire and fascinate Sri Lankans today. 

Special Points: 

• Myths woven into history 

• Tales of love and valour 

• Stories alive in every region 

Sri Lanka’s folk tales are a captivating blend of romance, loyalty, heroism and ambition. In Mount Lavinia, Governor Sir Thomas Maitland’s secret love for dancer Lovina inspired a hidden tunnel and gave a city its name. Sinhabahu tells of a lion born prince who freed his mother, accidentally killed his father and whose son Vijaya became Lanka’s first king. 

The Rama and Sita epic recounts the abduction of Sita by demon king Ravana, the alliance with Hanuman’s monkey army and the great battle that freed her, symbolising the triumph of love and righteousness. Queen Vihara Maha Devi, famed for her beauty and courage, sacrificed herself to calm the ocean, only to survive and become a beloved queen and mother of two legendary kings. 

The Legend of Sigiriya speaks of King Kasyapa, who seized the throne from his father, built the magnificent rock fortress and met his fate in battle with his brother Moggollana. 

These stories, part history, part myth are woven into Sri Lanka’s cultural identity. They celebrate virtues like bravery, devotion and sacrifice, while warning of betrayal, pride and greed. Even today, they are retold in homes, schools and festivals, keeping the island’s storytelling tradition vibrantly alive.