Sri Lanka is an island with a very high density of caves. The lithology of the country is characterized by mostly Precambrian metamorphic rocks and Miocene limestone in the northern area of the country. Although caves are considered as dark spaces with many legendary tales, the scientific background of Sri Lankan caves were recently discovered after initiating scientific studies by Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology of the University of Kelaniya. During this project of speleology, first ever attempt was made to classify Sri Lankan caves based on lithology, morphology and genesis. This particular classification was done comparing the investigated caves located in Rathnapura, Ruwanwella and Mahiyanganaya and other documented caves of Sri Lanka. Results indicate that common Speleogenesis processes are weathering and erosion of bed rocks and amalgamation of boulders on the surface. It is revealed that the position of caves on the Earth is important to define a cave as surface or underground cave. Lithology helps to classify a cave into two groups as metamorphic origin and sedimentary origin. Metamorphic caves are further divided in to two sub groups as crystalline silicate rock-caves and crystalline limestone rock-caves (Marble caves). According to the genesis and morphology above caves could be categorized in to six types as (I) rock shelter, (II) hollow cave, (III) tunnel cave, (IV) river cave, (V) boulder cave and (VI) crack cave. In conclusion classification of caves is an important aspect in Speleology since it provides information for comparative studies.

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