Background

Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka is located in the Ratnapura district of Sabaragamuwa province, approximately 160 kilometers from Colombo. At 616 meters above sea level, this hillside location is a climatically transitional location, connecting the dry and wet zones, as well as the hill and low country. There are also many beautiful sites near the university, such as the Samanalawewa reservoir and dam, the Samanala reserve, Belihuloya, Hirikatuoya, Pahanthudawa, Surathalee Falls, Bambarakanda Falls, the Paraviyangala and Haagala mountains, and so on.

Outdoor recreation is a type of physical activity that takes place outside or in natural settings and allows people to connect with the outdoors on an individual, small group, or community level. Outdoor active learning and adventure can take place in a variety of settings, including rural and urban settings, as well as local and remote locations. Outdoor education, training, and recreation expose children and adults to a wide range of activities, including thrilling land and water sports.

Furthermore as a pioneer sports education institute in Sri Lanka, the Faculty of Applied Sciences at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka is eager to spread the concept of "Outdoor Recreation" not only to its own university community, but also to other communities in Sri Lanka, including universities, schools, government institutes, and private institutes.

Moreover Belihuloya is an excellent location for outdoor activities because it meets all of the requirements for outdoor recreation. As a result, the Faculty of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with the Department of Sports Sciences and Physical Education, has established the Outdoor Recreation Center (ORC) to meet the above requirements of the selected communities since 2019.