The Sacred City of Anuradhapura is one of the world’s most significant ancient cities and Sri Lanka’s first capital. Founded in the 4th century B.C., it served for over 1,300 years as a major centre of Theravada Buddhism, profoundly shaping the island’s religious, political, and cultural identity. Anuradhapura, home to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the oldest living tree with a recorded history in the world, is a focal point of Buddhist devotion and monastic life. The city is renowned for its monumental stupas, monasteries, palaces, and sophisticated irrigation systems, which reflect remarkable achievements in architecture, engineering, and urban planning. These enduring remains illustrate the spiritual devotion, administrative sophistication, and statecraft of ancient Sri Lankan civilization, making Anuradhapura a living testament to its outstanding universal value and cultural legacy.