Although Polonnaruwa, the second capital city of ancient Sri Lanka, had a short reign, it still has a proud culture second to none. Gal Viharaya / Sandakadapahana / Satmahal Palace / Lankathilaka Viharaya / Rankoth Vehera / Pothgul Vehera / Thivanka Pilimageya / Vatadageya / Atadageya / Hatadageya / Shiva Devalaya etc. Other construction has substantially polishing the historical significance of Polonnaruwa.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which operates under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESCO), classifies places of scientific, cultural or other such significance as "UNESCO World Heritage Sites". UNESCO has declared eight such sites in Sri Lanka as World Heritage Sites.