Be There If You Dare – The Top 5 Haunted Places In Sri Lanka!

Sri Lanka is widely known for its golden beaches, ancient temples, lush tea plantations, and breathtaking landscapes. While most travellers visit the island for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, there is another side of the country that sparks curiosity among thrill-seekers. From abandoned colonial buildings and eerie forests to centuries-old legends and unexplained paranormal stories, haunted places in Sri Lanka have become intriguing attractions for those looking to experience something beyond the usual tourist trail. 

Whether you believe in ghosts or simply enjoy mysterious tales, exploring these spooky locations offers a fascinating glimpse into the island’s folklore and history. Many Sri Lanka tour packages focus on the country’s famous attractions, but if you’re looking for something different, these mysterious places offer a unique way to experience the island. Read this Sri Lanka guide to discover the most haunted places in the country and the chilling stories behind them.

Nightlife in Sri Lanka

All of us still love horror or loved horror once (After experiencing one ourselves :P). There isn’t a childhood where our grandparents have not narrated a horror story to us or a teen life without playing Ouija Board with friends, right? Even if you are someone who is scared of these supernatural kinds of stuff, you still know, nothing could make a friend’s outing more exciting than a horror movie with them. Let’s now have a look at the COVID guidelines for visiting Sri Lanka and the top haunted places located in this beautiful island country. We are here to customize your Sri lanka honeymoon packages and make your journey a memorable one.

5 Haunted places in Sri Lanka

Here are the places that could excite you just by reading about them.

1. Helga’s Folly
2. Borella Cemetery
3. The Jawatte Lunatic Asylum
4. Lovers Leap Waterfall
5. The Telecom Building

1. Helga’s Folly

Helga’s Folly is at the top of the list of haunted places to visit in Sri Lanka, and for a reason. All the other places mentioned here can give you only a moment of terror, but Helga’s Folly itself is a haunted hotel. Just imagine staying in a haunted hotel for the entire night. All your childhood stories come true, don’t they? (I mean the scariest night stories, of course).

The interior itself can make you realise how haunted the place is. But it’s also beautiful, with traditional décor blended with a modern touch. Looks can be deceptive, right? At Helga’s Folly, we can’t assure you about the room service, but ghost service is for sure. Just read through all the stories about Helga’s Folly, and if you still choose to stay there for even a night, you have one of the bravest hearts! If you enjoy unusual experiences like this, Sri Lanka adventure packages often include offbeat attractions that let you explore a different side of the island beyond its popular tourist spots.

2. Borella Cemetery

Ignore visiting a haunted place. You can’t even cross the Borella Cemetery. Built in the 1850s, this is said to be one of the oldest cemeteries in Sri Lanka. This is old enough to have even the dead soldiers of World War I and II buried here. You can cross this place if you want to see some supernatural things happening around and to you or to get hit by some stones or any hard objects from nowhere or even invited by a ghost to the cemetery. Oh, wait! Are you scared? Well, the ghosts love that. Or dare to visit this place? Then that’s going to be a problem.

Also Read: Historical Places in Sri Lanka

3. The Jawatte Lunatic Asylum

Are you a regular visitor to Arcade Independence Square? Don’t worry. The story isn’t haunting enough, but it has some dark secrets that come with it. The Jawatte Lunatic Asylum was built in the 1880s, housing 400 patients. It is believed that the medical officers there used to conduct experiments on the patients, thus making it a haunted place among the commoners. Later, the patients were transferred to another facility in 1917, and the Jawatte Lunatic Asylum was changed into one of the amazing shopping complexes in Sri Lanka and renamed Arcade Independence Square.

4. Lover’s Leap Waterfall

Lovers leap waterfall

As romantic as it may sound, this waterfall has been popularly known among the local people. It is considered to be one of the haunted places to visit in Sri Lanka because of the scary story behind this flowing beauty. A couple, whose love has been refused, have decided to end their lives by diving just like the water in this place. Would they have known that they were never going to leave this place?  

This haunted place in Nuwara Eliya is located in an amazing location that is suitable for hiking, too. You need to make your way through a tea factory to reach this waterfall, and trust me, this is one of the most beautiful places you can visit in Sri Lanka. If you’re planning to explore the hill country at a relaxed pace, a 4-day Nuwara Eliya itinerary is a great way to experience attractions like Lovers Leap Waterfall, lush tea estates, and the region’s scenic landscapes alongside its fascinating legends. 

5. The Telecom Building

A haunted place

Existing from 1911, the Telecom Building is one of the important places in Sri Lanka, with a beautiful statue in front. But what could possibly haunt this place? When there was destruction in 1989, the building collapsed in seconds, and several lives were taken along with it. Though it was renovated to bring back the beauty it once lost, it is believed that the lost souls never really left. The common people still believe that the building is haunted, and well, it could be. If exploring mysterious landmarks excites you, don’t miss out on other adventurous things to do in Sri Lanka, from hiking through misty mountains and wildlife safaris to white-water rafting and cave exploration, for an unforgettable trip. 

Conclusion

Haunting enough already? Then there is no point in waiting when you even know where to visit for a thrill. If listening to these stories gives you an adrenaline rush, imagine how exciting it will be to visit these haunted places in Sri Lanka in real life. When planning your trip, make sure to include these spooky attractions alongside the country’s iconic beaches, tea plantations, and cultural landmarks. A 5 Day Sri Lanka itinerary offers enough time to experience both the mysterious and scenic sides of the island, ensuring a well-rounded holiday. In short, Sri Lanka is a destination for every kind of traveller, offering unforgettable experiences at every turn.

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