About Sri Lanka

Geography

The main island of Sri Lanka, formerly called Ceylon, is an island in the Indian Ocean belongs to Sri Lanka, located in Southern Asia, southeast of India, in a strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes. It has a total area of 65,610 km², with 64,740 km² of land and 870 km² of water. Its coastline is 1,340 km long. Sri Lanka's climate includes tropical monsoons: the northeast monsoon (December to March), and the southwest monsoon (June to October). Its terrain is mostly low, flat to rolling plain, with mountains in the south-central interior. The highest point is Pidurutalagala at 2,524.13 m. Natural resources include limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, and hydropower.
Adam's Bridge, a land connection to the Indian mainland, is now mostly submerged with only a chain of limestone shoals remaining above sea level. According to temple records, this natural causeway was formerly complete, but was breached by a violent storm (probably a cyclone) in 1480. In South Asia, the formation is known as Rama's Bridge, as, according to Hindu mythology, it was constructed during the rule of Rama.

History

Recent excavations show that even during the Neolithic Age, there were food gatherers and rice cultivators in Sri Lanka. Very little is known of this period; documented history began with the arrival of the Aryans from North India. The Aryans introduced the use of iron and an advanced form of agriculture and irrigation. They also introduced the art of government. Of the Aryan settlements, Anuradhapura grew in to a powerful kingdom under the rule of King Pandukabhaya. According to traditional history he is accepted as the founder of Anuradhapura.
During the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa, a descendant of Pandukabhaya, Buddhism was introduced in 247 B.C. by Arahat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Asoka of India. This is the most important event in Sri Lankan history as it set the country on the road to cultural greatness. As a new civilization flourished Sri Lanka became rich and prosperous.
In the mid 2nd century B.C. a large part of north Sri Lanka came under the rule of an invader from South India. From the beginning of the Christian era and up to the end of the 4th century A.D. Sri Lanka was governed by an unbroken dynasty called Lambakarna, which paid great attention to the development of irrigation. A great king of this dynasty, Mahasen started the construction of large ‘tanks’ or irrigation reservoirs. Another great ‘tank’ builder was Dhatusena, who was put to death by his son Kasyapa who made Sigiriya a royal city with his fortress capital on the summit of the rock.
As a result of invasions from South India the Kingdom of Anuradhapura fell by the end of the 10th century A.D. Vijayabahu (I) repulsed the attack and established his capital at Polonnaruwa in the 11th century A.D. Other great kings of Polonnaruwa were Parakramabahu the Great and Nissanka Malla both of whom adorned the city with numerous buildings of architectural beauty.
Invasion was intermittent and the capital was moved constantly until the Portuguese arrived in 1505, when the chief city was established at Kotte, in the Western lowlands. The Portuguese came to trade in spices but stayed to rule until 1656 in the coastal regions, as did the Dutch thereafter. The Dutch rule lasted from 1656 to 1796, in which year they were displaced by the British. During this period the highland Kingdom, with its capital in Kandy, retained its independence despite repeated assaults by foreign powers who ruled the rest of the country. In 1815 the whole island came under British power when the last Sinhalese King Keerthi Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe was captured. Modern communications, Western medical services, education in English, as well as the plantation industry developed during the British rule. By a process of peaceful, constitutional evolution, Sri Lanka won back her independence in 1948 and is now a sovereign republic, with membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations Organization.

Culture

The culture of Sri Lanka has been influenced by many factors but has managed to retain much of its ancient aspects. Mostly it has been influenced by its long history and its Buddhist heritage. The country has a rich artistic tradition, embracing the fine arts, including music, dance, and visual arts. Sri Lankan lifestyle is reflected in the cuisine, festivals, and sports. South Indian influences are visible in many aspects. There are also some influences from colonization by the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. Sri Lankan culture is best known abroad for its cricket, food, holistic medicine, religious icons like the Buddhist flag, and cultural exports such as tea. Sri Lankan culture is diverse, as it varies from region to region. Sri Lanka has had ties with Indian subcontinent from ancient times. Demographics: Sinhalese 74.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 9.23%, Indian Tamil 4.16%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.21%, Other 0.6%. Religion in Sri Lanka: Buddhism 70.2%, Hinduism 12.6%, Islam 9.7%, Christianity 7.4%, other 0.1% Government: Democratic Socialist Republic

Currency

Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR)

Time

GMT +5.30 (Winter time)
BST +5.00 (Summer time)

National Flower

The Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata)

Weather

Sri Lanka's tropical location ensures perennially high temperatures, with monthly averages between 72° F (22° C) and 92° F (33° C) in the lowlands. In the Central Highlands, higher altitudes account for lower temperatures, with monthly averages between 44° F (7° C) and 71° F (21.6° C).
Sri Lanka enjoys a tropical climate with varying temperatures according to location. Coastal or upland areas benefit from cool mountains or sea breeze all year round. Monsoon season is between May to September in the South & West and October to April in the North & East of the country. These monsoons give Sri Lanka its only seasons as it is located so near to the Equator. Temperatures average 27°C (80°F) in Colombo and 16°C (61°F) in Nuwara Eliya, which is on higher ground, all year round.

Language

Tamil and Sinhala are ranked equally as “national” languages. Sinhala 74%, Tamil 18%, other 8%
Meanwhile, English is still almost universally spoken by educated people of all communities, and is the language with which Sri Lanka communicates with the outside world. Despite being the language of the former colonial power, English is also politically neutral. Most of the people you are likely to encounter in shops, hotels, restaurants and when travelling on public transport are likely to speak enough English for you to get by. Taxi drivers usually speak some English, and bus and railway personnel are usually quite fluent. Out in the country side, English may be less widely spoken, though it is rare to find yourself completely unable to communicate.

Food

The cuisine of Sri Lanka draws influence from that of India, especially from Kerala, as well as colonists and foreign traders. Rice, which is usually consumed daily, can be found at any special occasion, while spicy curries are favorite dishes for lunch and dinner. A very popular alcoholic drink is toddy or arrack, both made from palm tree sap. Rice and curry refers to a range of Sri Lankan dishes. Sri Lankans also eat hoppers (Aappa, Aappam), which can be found anywhere in Sri Lanka.
Much of Sri Lanka's cuisine consists of boiled or steamed rice served with spicy curry. Another well-known rice dish is kiribath, meaning milk rice. Curries in Sri Lanka are not just limited to meat or fish-based dishes; there are also vegetable and even fruit curries. A typical Sri Lankan meal consists of a "main curry" (fish, chicken, or mutton), as well as several other curries made with vegetable and lentils. Side-dishes include pickles, chutneys and "sambols" which can sometimes be fiery hot. The most famous of these is the coconut sambol, made of scraped coconut mixed with chilies, dried Maldivian fish and lime juice. This is ground to a paste and eaten with rice, as it gives zest to the meal and is believed to increase appetite.
In addition to sambols, Sri Lankans eat "mallung", chopped leaves mixed with grated coconut and red onions. Coconut milk is found in most Sri Lankan dishes to give the cuisine its unique flavor. As noted above many of Sri Lanka's urban areas are host to American fast food corporations and many of the younger generation have started to take a liking to this new style of cuisine although it is rejected by many, particularly the more traditional elder members of the community.

Visa

You will need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. You can get a short stay visa through an online visa application process, the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). You can no longer get a visa on arrival.
If you experience any difficulty with the ETA System, or if you are travelling for paid or unpaid work, you should get a visa from the Sri Lankan High Commission before you travel.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry to Sri Lanka.

What to wear

You can wear Light weight cotton or linen clothes in all areas. Higher reaches of the hill country can get chilly at night, so a sweater is recommended.

Shopping

The island country has amazing variety for your shopping pleasure. It has always been an important stop on shipping routes and a trading post for the world since ancient times. Many merchant ships still stop by on their way from Europe to Southeast Asia so there is always a wealth of things available to the keen shopper even if it is not always of Sri Lankan origin.
Some amount of scouting in the local market will turn up many a pleasant surprise although it is best to go with a local guide to avoid being ripped off. Tea is a big draw for tourists. Besides that there are many other interesting knick-knacks available here. Below is a list of some of the things that you can carry home as souvenirs from your trip to Sri Lanka.
Ceylon Tea, Spices, Clothes for cheap, Gem Stones, Batik, Handicrafts, Handloom Fabrics, Leather products, wood carving, Reproduction antiques, Ceramics

Electricity

220 - 240 volts, 50 cycles AC.

Adaptors

If your appliance is already compatible with 220-240 volt electrical input, one or more of the following travel plug adapters (depending on which type of outlet is installed in any given specific building) will allow you to plug in.
Adapter for "Type D” Indian BS-546
Adapter for "Type C" European CEE 7/16 Euro plug.

“Contact us” for your tour in Sri Lanka