- Map
- Video
- Sri Lanka at a Glance
- Travel Tips
- Immigration
- Customs
- Foreign Missions in Sri Lanka
- Distance Finder
- FAQ
Map »
Sri Lanka at a Glance »
| Official name: | Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka |
| Government type: | republic |
| Location: | Latitude 5° 55. to 9° 50. north, longitude 79° 42. to 81° 52., 650km north of the equator |
| Dimensions: | 430km north to south, 225km east to west |
| Coastline: | 1,340km |
| Area: | 65,525km |
| Currency (code): | Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) |
| Independence: | 4 February 1948 |
| Administrative capital: | Sri Jayewardenepura |
| Commercial capital: | Colombo |
| Administrative divisions: | 9 provinces; Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western, Eastern Province. |
| Climate: | Typically tropical, with a northeast monsoon (December to March) bringing unsettled weather to the north and east, and a southwest monsoon (June to October) bringing bad weather to the south and west |
| Terrain: | Mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior |
| Highest mountain: | Pidurutalagala, 2,524m |
| Highest waterfall: | Bambarakanda, 263m |
| National Flower | The Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata). |
| National parks and nature reserves area: | 8,000sq.km |
| Population: | 21,128,773 (? Census) |
| Population growth rate: | 1.3% |
| Population Density: | 309 people per sq km |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 74 female, 64 male |
| Literacy rate : | Female 87.9 Male 92.5 |
| Ethnic groups: | Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moors 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001 census) |
| Languages: | Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8% Note: English (a link language commonly) is used in government and spoken competently by about 10% of the population |
| Religion: | Buddhist 69.1%, Muslim 7.6%, Hindu 7.1%, Christian 6.2%, unspecified 10% (2001 census) |
| Time zone: | Sri Lanka Standard Time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT. (Allowance should be made for summer-time changes in Europe.) |
| International dialing: | +94 |
| Electricity: | 230 . 240 volts, 50 cycles AC. If you travel with a laptop computer bring a stabilizer |
| Economy: | Sri Lanka.s most dynamic sectors are food processing, textiles and apparel, food and beverages, port construction, telecommunications, and insurance and banking. In 2006, plantation crops made up only 15% of exports (90% in 1970), while textiles and garments accounted for more than 60%. About 800,000 Sri Lankans work abroad, 90% of them in the Middle East. They send home more than US$1 billion a year. |
| Labour force | 34.3% of the labour population is employed in agriculture, 25.3% in industry and 40.4% in services: 40.4% (30 June 2006 est.) The unemployment rate is 5.7% (2007 est.) |
| Agriculture & products | Rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, spices, tea, rubber, coconuts, milk, eggs, hides, beef, fish |
| Industries: | Processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining. |
| Exports: | Textiles and apparel; tea and spices; diamonds, emeralds, rubies; coconut products, rubber manufactures, fish |
| Imports: | Main import commodities are textile fabrics, mineral products, petroleum, foodstuffs, machinery and transportation equipment: $10.61 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.). Percentage of main commodities from main import partners: India 19.6%, China 10.5%, Singapore 8.8%, Iran 5.7%, Malaysia 5.1%, Hong Kong 4.2%, Japan 4.1% (2006) |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP): | Purchasing power parity: $81.29 billion (2007 est.). Official exchange rate: $30.01 billion (2007 est.) Real growth rate: 6.3% (2007 est.) Per capita: $4,100 (2007 est.) composition by sector: Agriculture: 16.5% Industry: 26.9% |
| Gross National Product (GNP): | Sri Lanka is placed in 76th place in GNP figures of the world's nations with $22.8 billion (2005) |
| Flag description: | yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other panel is a large dark red rectangle with a yellow lion holding a sword, and there is a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels |
Travel Tips »
Nationals from 80 countries who visit Sri Lanka for tourist purposes are exempt from visa requirements and automatically receive a free 30-day visa on arrival. Those from these countries who visit for purposes other than tourism should obtain prior visas from a Sri Lankan Consular Office. For nationals of other countries there is a varying fee for the 30-day visa.
The 30-day visa can be extended up to 90 days on the payment of a fee. You.ll need to show a return or onward airline ticket out of Sri Lanka, along with proof of funds, such as traveller.s cheques or credit card, and provide a copy of the bio-data page of your passport and 02 photographs.
Department of Immigration and Emigration,
Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha,
Maradana,
Colombo 10.
Tel: +94-11-5329000, +94-11-5329316/20/21/25
www.immigration.gov.lk
Photo Permits & Entrance Charges (click here for photo permits on sites)
Sri Lanka is a photographer’s delight. However, permits are required before you can take photos at certain sites. Entrance tickets to individual sites are available only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. These tickets cover charges for photography, recording and parking.Rates are quoted in US Dollars and rupee parities are subject to fluctuation.
Custom Imports
You are allowed to bring into the country duty free 1.5 litres of spirits, two bottles of wine, a quarter-litre of toilet water, and a small quantity of perfume and souvenirs with a value not exceeding US $250. The import of personal equipment such as cameras and laptop computers is allowed but must be declared on arrival. However, personal equipment must be taken out of the country upon the visitor.s departure. The import of non-prescription drugs and pornography of any form is an offence. Sri Lanka Customs: www.customs.gov.lk
Custom Exports
On leaving the country you are allowed to export up to 10kg of tea duty free.
No antiques . .antique. defined as anything more than 50-years-old - rare books, palm-leaf manuscripts and anthropological material can be exported without permission from the Director, National Archives, 7 Reid Avenue, Colombo 7. Tel: +94-11-2694523, +94-11-2696917 www.archives.gov.lk and the Director General, Department of Archaeology, Sir Marcus Fernando Mw, Colombo +94 11 2692840/1 Tel. +94-11-2694727, +94-11-2667155 (www.archaeology.gov.lk).
Purchase and export without licence of any wild animal, bird or reptile, dead or alive . also the export of parts of animals, birds or reptiles, such as skins, horns, scales and feathers is prohibited. Occasional exports are, however, permitted exclusively for bona fide scientific purposes. It is prohibited to export of 450 plant species without special permits. The export of coral, shells or other protected marine products is also strictly prohibited.
Applications for special permission to export fauna should be made to the Director, Department of Wildlife Conservation, 382 New Kandy Road, Malabe (+9411 25060380 www.dwlc.lk ) and flora should be made to the Director, Forest Department, 82 Rajamalwatta Road, Battaramulla, ( +011 94 28666 16/ 2866632 www.environmentlanka.com)
Visitors to Sri Lanka bringing in more than US$10,000 should declare the amount to the Customs on arrival. All unspent rupees converted from foreign currencies can be re-converted to the original currency on departure as long as encashment receipts can be produced.
The health risks in Sri Lanka are different to those encountered in Europe and North America. Watch out for bowel diseases such as diarrhoea and amoebic dysentery, vector borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, and a variety of fungal infections. Sri Lanka.s physicians, though, many of whom have trained in the West, are particularly experienced in dealing with locally occurring diseases.
No inoculations are compulsory unless you are coming from a yellow fever or cholera area. (Cholera is very occasionally reported in Sri Lanka, so is not considered a serious risk.) However, the following vaccinations are recommended, particularly if you plan a long trip or intend visiting remote areas:
typhoid (monovalent), polio, tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies
Children should, in addition, be protected against:
diphtheria, whooping cough, mumps, measles, rubella
Remember to plan well ahead with vaccinations. Allow up to six weeks to receive the full course, for some vaccinations require more than one dose, and some should not be given together.
The risk of malaria exists throughout the whole country apart from the districts of Colombo, Kalutara and Nuwara Eliya. Medication has to start one week prior to travel, continue during the trip, and finish four weeks after your return. Once again, planning is essential, as well as care to ensure the course is followed.
Upset stomach
As most stomach upsets are due to the unsanitary preparation of food, it is useful to know what to watch out for. Under-cooked fish (especially shellfish) and meat (especially pork and mince) can be hazardous. Salads can be risky unless purified water has been used to wash the various vegetables. Fruit that has already been peeled should be avoided. Be careful of ice cream, in particular the varieties sold by street vendors and served at cheap restaurants. Sometimes there are power outages Sri Lanka, especially away from urban centres, so it pays to be suspicious of all refrigerated foods if you know there has been a recent outage in your area.
Tap water is not safe to drink, and boiling and filtering is sometimes done too hastily in some hotels and restaurants, so the best solution is to drink bottled water. There are now many brands available, mostly using spring water from the highlands of the island. Make sure that the bottle carries an SLS certification and that the seal is broken only in your presence. Beware of ice unless you are satisfied it has not been made from tap water, and remember the tap water you may be tempted to use to rinse out your mouth after brushing your teeth is unsafe. Keep a bottle of water in your bathroom for this purpose.
When you flop onto the beach or poolside lounger for a spot of sunbathing, always remember to apply a sunscreen product with a sun protection factor of at least 15. Remember you are just 600km from the equator: even with sunscreen, your sunbathing should be limited in time. If you don.t apply sunscreen you are liable to become so sunburnt that it will be painful to move, your skin will peel, you will have to start afresh to get that tan, and . most importantly . you put yourself at risk of serious dermatological disease.
Sometimes those who have spent too long in the sun suffer what is termed heatstroke, the most common form being caused by dehydration. This condition can occur if the body.s heat-regulating mechanism becomes weakened and the body temperature rises to unsafe levels. The symptoms are a high temperature - yet a lack of sweat - a flushed skin, severe headache, and impaired coordination. In addition, the sufferer may become confused. If you think someone has heatstroke, take that person out of the sun, cover their body with a wet sheet or towel, and seek medical advice. To avoid heatstroke, take plenty of bottled water to the beach, or buy a thambili (king coconut) from an itinerant seller.
Prickly heat
Prickly heat rash occurs when your sweat glands become clogged after being out in the heat for too long or from excessive perspiration. The rash appears as small red bumps or blisters on elbow creases, groin, upper chest or neck. To treat it, take a cold shower, clean the rash with mild soap, dry yourself, apply hydrocortisone cream, and, if possible, a product that contains salicylic acid. Repeat every three hours.
Minor health problems can always be treated by doctors with practices in the resorts and elsewhere in the country. If you have a more serious problem, Colombo now boasts a selection of modern, well-equipped private hospitals offering the latest in conventional medical and surgical therapies. A growing number of foreigners are taking advantage of affordable, high quality private healthcare in Sri Lanka, and combining it with the chance to take a holiday. Though the medical tourism industry in Sri Lanka is still in its early days, a number of private hospitals in Colombo are geared to provide advanced surgery and other treatment to international clients
(link to Medical Tourism article)
Travellers with special needs, especially if they visit Sri Lanka without a companion, should note that the country has relatively few facilities for disabled people, although greater awareness and improvements are evolving. There.s no need to worry at Colombo's airport as wheelchairs and assistance in boarding and disembarking are available. Buildings, offices, and banks are becoming better-equipped with wheelchair ramps and suchlike. If you arent travelling with a companion, you.ll find that Sri Lankans will be only too eager to assist.
The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee, divided into 100 cents (you rarely come across scents today). Currency notes are Rs2,000, Rs1,000, Rs500, Rs100, Rs50, Rs20 and Rs10. Beware of mistaking the Rs500 note for the somewhat similar Rs100 one. To check whether notes are genuine when not given at a bank, look for a lion watermark. Coins, should you have receive them, will be in denominations up to Rs10.
Make sure you have plenty of lower denomination notes (Rs50, Rs100, Rs500), especially when travelling and you need to buy small items, fruit, and eat cheap meals, because change is often hard to come by apart from at hotels and big shops.
Banks are open from 0900 hrs to 1300 hours Monday to Friday. Some city banks close at 1500 hrs, while some are open on Saturday mornings. It.s easy to withdraw money across the island at ATMs using international credit cards or debit cards.
Most hotels, restaurants and shopping centres accept credit cards. Some establishments may try to add a surcharge, which is illegal.
Sri Lanka Standard Time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT. (Allowance should be made for summer-time changes in Europe.)
230 . 240 volts, 50 cycles AC. If you travel with a laptop computer bring a stabilizer.
Sri Lanka has two official languages . Sinhala and Tamil - with English as a link language. Most people have some knowledge of English, and signboards are often in English.
Photography: Restrictions & Permits
Sri Lanka is a tremendously photogenic island, so it.s hardly surprising that most tourists bring a camera of some kind when they visit the country. The stunning landscapes, the captivating fauna and lush flora, and the stupendous archaeological remains provide great opportunities: a bonus is that Sri Lankans love to be captured on film. So it.s easy to capture the traditional rural lifestyle. You.ll find villagers, farmers, fishermen and tea pluckers will readily stand in front of your viewfinder. Your subjects will often ask to have a copy of picture sent to them. This may be laborious, but it is a reasonable courtesy as many may never have seen a picture of themselves. It is also understandable that many will also expect a token recompense for allowing themselves to be photographed.
There are some important restrictions that apply to photography regarding Buddhist imagery. When you visit a temple or other religious site, remember that photography should not be carried out in a manner causing disrespect. For instance, it is strictly forbidden to be photographed in front of or beside any statues and murals. Note that flash photography can damage old murals.
Tourists who wish to visit/and or photograph the principal ancient monuments in Sri Lanka are required to purchase a ticket from the Central Cultural Fund, 212/1 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 Tel: +94-11-2587912, +94-11-2500733, +94-11-2581944 ( gen_ccf@sri.lanka.net This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or Central Cultural Fund offices at Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Kandy.
A single round ticket for two months validity costs US$50 and will entitle you to visit and photograph historic monuments such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Nalanda, Ritigala, Medirigiriya. There are separate charges at each site for those who do not obtain round tickets: Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya US$25, Nalanda US$5, Ritigala US$8, Medirigiriya US$5.
Sri Lanka is a round-the-year destination for the visitors who seek for sun and sea the best time to visit the island is from November to April. The Southwestern coastal area, where the most of the beach resorts are located. Kalpitiya, located in the western ( North Western)coast has been declared a new tourist attraction. Many development projects have also been planned such as hotels and other infrastructure to make the East a new tourist destination in Sri Lanka.
The central highlands are pleasantly cool and relatively dry from January to April. The peak season is mid December to mid January and March-April during Easter with a mini peak season in July and August when festivals and pageants are held through the country.
Cotton clothes are useful at any time of the year but you will need light woollens for the hills and waterproof clothing or an umbrella. Modest dress for women is advisable especially off the beach and when visiting religious sites. Don't forget comfortable shoes, sandals or trainers and cotton socks. If you are planning to trek and climb go prepared with suitable gear. Water sports enthusiasts would do well to take their snorkels and diving equipment along.
Usually all visitors to Sri Lanka travel by air; flights arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport, 35 km north of Colombo, and 6 km of Negombo. A number of tour operators from UK and some West European cities offer good value package holydays throughout the year
You may sometimes be overwhelmed by crowds of people in public places (railway stations, markets, bus stands, temples or simply busy streets). "Touts" and hawkers may jostle and push and clamour to show you a hotel and sell you things. Taxis and three - wheelers are often there when you do not need them.
In general the threats to personal security for travellers in Sri Lanka are remarkably small. It is more pleasant to travel with a companion as it is advised not to travel alone especially after dark. The island including the North and East is safe to visit. If you have anything stolen, report it to the tourist Police, ( a special tourist police set up to look after the needs of the tourists. Contact tel Number + 94 11 2382209
Sri Lank Offers visitors an excellent range of accommodation facilities to suit all budgets from luxury hotels to low budget accommodations.( for more information on accommodation options.) In the peak season (mid-January and during Easter) bookings can be heavy so it is best to reserve accommodation well in advance through Tour operators/ travel agents, booking online and through our travel planner.
Sri Lankan ‘Ceylon’ tea is prepared as in the West and coffee too. There are a huge variety of bottled soft drinks, including well-known international brands. Thambili ( king coconut water is a safe and refreshing option. Local beer and spirits are widely available. Bottled mineral water is available in 5 star hotels. Please note: Alcohol is not sold on Poya (full-moon day of the month) days.
Foreign missions in Sri Lanka »
| Australia 21, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 07 Phone : 2463200 Email : ahc@sri.lanka.net Web : http://www.srilanka.embassy.gov.au |
Afghanistan Phone : 23123 Fax : 123213 Email : ruwanth@yahoo.com Web : nnj.com |
| Bangladesh 85, Dharmapala Mawatha Colombo 07 Phone : 2303943/4 Email : bdootlanka@eureka.lk |
Canada 6, Gregory’s Road P O Box 1006 Colombo 07 Phone : 5226232 / 5226298 Email : clmbo@international.gc.ca Web : Http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/comingindepen.html |
| China 381, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. Phone : 2694491 Email : chinaemb_lk@mfa.gov.cn |
Cuba Embassy of the Republic of Cuba 15/9, Maitland Crescent, Colombo 07 Phone : Tel : 2677170 |
| Czech Republic 50-Niti Marg Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, India. Phone : 26110205 |
Denmark 36, D.R.Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10. Phone : 447806 Fax : 449586 Email : nolyec@sri.lanka.net |
| Egypt Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt 39, Dickman’s Road Colombo 05 Phone : 2583621 / 2508752 Email : egyptemb@sltnet.lk |
European Commision 26, Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha Colombo 07 Phone : 2674413 Fax : 698820 Email : delegation-sri-lanka@cec.eu.int |
| Finland P. O. Box. 161, 36, D. R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10. Phone : 327707 Fax : 449586 Email : nolyec@sri.lanka.net |
France 89, Rosmead Place, P O Box 880, Colombo 07 and kandy branch :Kandy Branch : 412, Peradeniya Road, Kandy Phone : 2639400, 2436723 Fax : 677374 Email : ambfrclb@sltnet.lk Web : http://www.ambafrance.lk |
| Germany 40, Alfred House Avenue, Colombo 3. Phone : 2580431 Fax : 580440 Email : info@colo.diplo.de Web : www.germanembassy.lk |
Holy See 220, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. Phone : 2582554 Fax : 2580906 |
| India 36-38, Galle Road, Colombo 3. Phone : 2421605 / 2422788 Email : hc.colombo@mea.gov.in , info.colombo@mea.gov.in |
Indonesia 400/50, Sarana Road, Off Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. Phone : 2674337 Fax : 678668 Email : indocola@sri.lanka.net |
| Islamic Republic of Iran 17, Bullers Lane, Colombo 7. Phone : 580636, 501137 Fax : 502691 |
Iraq 19, Barnes Place, Colombo 7. Phone : 2698733 |
| Italy 55, Jawatta Road, Colombo 5. Phone : 508418, 588388 Fax : 074 712272 Email : itembgen@lankacom.net |
Japan 20, Gregory’s Road Colombo 07 Phone : 2693831-3 Email : cultujpn@sltnet.lk |
| Korea, Democratic People`s Republic of 98, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7. Phone : 2699036-8 Email : kesl@koreanembassy.net |
Kuwait 292, Bauddhaloka Mawatha Colombo 07 Phone : 2597958-60 Email : emb@kuwaitembassysl.org |
| Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 120, Horton Place Colombo 07 Phone : 2697311 / 2693700 |
Malaysia 33, Bagatalle Road Colombo 03 Phone : 2554681 /2554682-3 Email : malcon@eureka.lk |
| Maldives 23, Kaviratne Place, Colombo 6. Phone : 2587827 Email : enquiries@maldiveshighcom.lk |
Mexico 53 1/1, Sri BARON Jayatillake Mawatha, Colombo 1. Phone : 381501 Fax : 381513 Email : md@lankem.lk |
| Myanmar 108, Barnes Place, Colombo 7. Phone : 696602/72 |
Nepal 153, Kynsey Road, Colombo 8. Phone : 2689656/7 Email : necolombo@eureka.lk |
| Netherlands 25, Torrington Avenue, Colombo 7. Phone : 2596914 Email : netheemb@sri.lanka.net Web : http://www.netherlandsembassy.com |
Norway 34, Ward Place, Colombo 7. Phone : 2469611-12-14 |
| Pakistan 221, De Saram Place, Colombo 10. Phone : 696301-2 Email : parepcolombo@sltnet.lk |
Palestine P. O. Box 204, 110-10, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. Phone : 2695991 Email : plosrilanka@hotmail.com |
| Romania A/1/1111, New Parliament Road Sri Jayewardhanapura Kotte Phone : 2863586 / 5551666, 2683421 Email : Romania@sri.lanka.net |
Russian Federation 62, Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 7. Phone : 2573555 Email : rusemb@itmin.net |
| Saudi Arabia 39, Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 7. Phone : 2682087 / 2682089 Email : ikemb@mofa.gov.sa |
Sweden 49, Bullers lane Colombo 07 Phone : 2594938 Email : ambassaden.colombo@sida.se |
| Switzerland 63, Gregorys road Colombo 07 . Phone : 2695117 Fax : 695176 Email : vertretung@col.rep.admin.ch |
Thailand 9th Floor, Green Lanka Towers 48/46, Navam Mawatha Colombo 02 Phone : 2302500-3 Email : thaiemb@slt.lk |
| Turkey 547, Galle Road, Colombo 6. Phone : 500375 Fax : 074-516076 |
United Kingdom (Great Britain) 389, Bauddhaloka Mawatha Colombo 07 Phone : 2639639 Fax : 430308 Email : bhc@eureka.lk Web : http://www.bhccolombo.com |
| United States of America P. O. Box 106, 210, Galle Road, Colombo 3. Phone : 2448007 Fax : 437345 Email : consu_clombo@state.gov Web : www.usembassystate.gov-srilanka |
Distance Finder »
FAQ »
» Where is Sri Lanka situated?
Million years ago, Sri Lanka was far south, nestled next to India and Madagascar in the middle of the super-continent known as Gondwanaland. India and Sri Lanka drifted northwards until this chunk of land impacted with another chunk, creating the Himalayas. Later the bridge of limestone shoals that linked Sri Lanka with India mostly submerged, leaving a 30km divide. Sri Lanka lies between the northern latitudes 5° 55. and 9° 55. and the eastern longitudes 79° 42. and 81° 52., 650km north of the equator. It comprises 65,610 sq km and has 1,330km of coastline. 1,215km to the west are the Maldives - holidays that combine Sri Lanka and the Maldives are popular - and to the south nothing but thousands of kilometres of ocean until Antarctica.
Yes, they are. Under British colonial rule the country was called Ceylon. The name was retained after independence in 1948 until 1972, when it was changed to Sri Lanka, which means .Resplendent Land. in Sanskrit. .Lanka., however, was used in antiquity. The name Ceylon is sometimes applied . .Ceylon tea. for instance.
Sri Lanka is a year round destination as it is fortunate to have two monsoons that occur in different halves of the island at different times. So if you wish to enjoy the western and southern coastal resorts when the weather is best, come between December and April. However, even during the monsoon, sunny, warm days are common, although afternoon or evening showers can be expected.
http://www.tourism-srilanka.com/best-time.html
Yes, this is a popular option for many travelers, who want to experience the diverse settings and unique culture of Sri Lanka, but also would like to experience the world renowned beaches and diving of the Maldives. Flights between Colombo and Male are numerous and take only 1 hour. You can book an itinerary taking in both countries with your local travel agent.
Whatever type you seek is available in Sri Lanka.s surprisingly wide range of accommodation options. Five-star hotels, resort hotels, boutique properties, guest houses, home stays, and all manner of other establishments can be found, especially along the western and southern coasts and Kandy and the hill country. It is also possible to rent houses. In a category of their own are government-run rest-houses, originally used by British colonists on their travels. As a result many are colonial buildings, and set in peaceful locations.
Parents will find Sri Lanka a very child-friendly country. People generally make a special effort to fuss and entertain children: when it comes to foreign children the effort is doubled. Children are well catered for in restaurants, and hotels and guest houses often have family rooms. Baby food and nappies are available in supermarkets across the island, though baby bottles are harder to find. It is also wise to bring child friendly mosquito repellent and sun cream since this is also very hard to come by even in the capital. Some of the highlights for children are the Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo, the numerous beaches, train journeys into the hill country, and the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela. If you want to allow your children to play safely while you eat or shop in Colombo, there are play areas in Odel, Urban Kitchen, and Cheers Pub, Cinnamon Grand. For dedicated play in the capital there are PGMartin Wonderworld facilities which offer all kinds of gaming.
Sri Lanka.s 14 National Parks offer the chance to see some of the country.s 91 mammals (16 endemic) - elephant, leopard, sloth bear, sambhur, spotted deer, hog, mouse- and barking-deer, wild boar, porcupine, ant-eater, civet cat, loris, giant squirrel, and monkeys such as the macaque, purple-faced leaf monkey and grey langur.. The largest of the parks is Yala, where jeep safaris provide close encounters with leopards and also abundant bird-life. The best park to see elephants is Uda Walawe.
Every full moon day is a Buddhist public holiday, a poya. The most important is in May . Vesak Poya . a festival that marks the Buddha.s birth, enlightenment and death. Worth seeing are the illuminated pandals (bamboo frameworks), hung with pictures depicting events in the Buddha.s life. Sri Lanka.s most tourist-oriented traditional festival is the Kandy Esala Perahera, held in Kandy over 10 days in late July to early August. Perahera means .procession. and that.s exactly what occurs nightly - a magical passing-by of drummers, dancers, whip-crackers, acrobats and robed elephants. A caparisoned tusker carries the reason for the festival, the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha for the people to venerate.
Yes, Ayurveda, the ancient traditional medicine system of Sri Lanka, is practiced more widely than Western medicine. Many hotels offer Ayurvedic treatment for guests and have qualified practitioners to advise you on how to improve your health, or give various types of baths and massages.
With common sense precautions it is easy to stay healthy in Sri Lanka, which has good sanitation and health standards. Hospitals are generally good and especially in the capital you can have almost any procedure, including cosmetic surgery. Please remember that a fever in Sri Lanka should always be considered potentially serious and you should seek medical advice for this as quickly as possible. The first golden rule is never to drink tap water and to avoid ice and juices in places where they don.t use bottled water. Secondly, make sure you keep yourself hydrated by drinking sufficient amounts of safe, clean water, or king coconut juice which is a cheap, healthy alternative. Thirdly, be careful in the sun, which is very strong in Sri Lanka . especially from 10am to 3pm. Even sitting in the shade with sunscreen on will get you a healthy tan so treat our beautiful sunshine with care. Fourthly, do not pet or play with stray dogs because it is possible they may have rabies. Even if you are a dog lover at home, this is one time when it is better to avoid contact. Finally, and maybe most importantly, please ensure you have mosquito repellent with you at all times since prevention of mosquito borne disease is certainly better than cure. At dawn and dusk, malarial mosquitoes will come out, while during the day dengue mosquitoes will bite, so it is best to cover up with clothing or repellent when there are mosquitoes around.
Sri Lanka.s compact size and the accessibility of most major attractions means that even a week will allow you to see a number of different areas. But to experience the island properly, a two-week stay is advisable.
Sri Lanka.s cultural depth is recognized by UNESCO, which has declared six archaeological World Heritage Sites. The remains of the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa feature enormous dagobas (dome-shaped structures) and statues of the Buddha. Dambulla has an awesome stairway, while Sigiriya is a rock with the remains of a palace on the summit and sensual frescoes. These four World Heritage Sites are situated within a compact area called the Cultural Triangle. In the hill country lies the royal capital of Kandy, home to the Dalada Maligawa, which houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. In contrast, experience the colonial heritage of the country by heading south to the mid-17th c. Dutch fort at Galle, the best preserved in Asia. The seventh World Heritage Site is an ecological example, The Sinharaja Forest Reserve. Similar sites include the Knuckles mountain range, Horton Plains and World.s End, where the hill country comes to an abrupt end, dropping 2,000m to the coastal plains. Sri Pada (Adam.s Peak) is a holy mountain climbed by pilgrims, but if you are fit, join them and appreciate the stunning views of the countryside from the peak..
Sea temperature around Sri Lanka remains at 27° C, which makes the island an ideal location for wind-surfing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, surfing, sailing, scuba-diving (including wreck-diving), snorkelling, speed-boating and banana-boating. In addition, there are plentiful freshwater opportunities in rivers and .tanks. (reservoirs), such as kayaking and canoeing, and most adrenaline-pumping of all, white-water rafting.
Well, there.s rock-climbing, caving, mountain biking and paragliding for the daring. For those who enjoy a more relaxed sport there is golf: there are three diverse courses across the country . Colombo Golf Club, Nuwara Eliya Golf Club and Victoria Golf Club near Kandy. There are excellent opportunities for trekking. Nature trails of exceptional interest include the Sinharaja rainforest, the cloud-forests of Horton Plains, the Knuckles (mountain range), and Hakgala Strict Natural Reserve.
In the intense heat of the low country, loose cotton skirts or trousers and tops, and a long sleeved blouse for visiting temples, are ideal for women. Men should wear cotton trousers or shorts and a T-shirt, or even the local sarong. Take a sunhat and sandals slippers or open shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Being a conservative society, especially in rural areas, very short skirts and shorts should be avoided.
If you are to spend time in the hill country pack a light sweater, and if you intend to sample a nature trail, bring along a sturdy pair of walking shoes or trainers. If you are travelling with children, a sunhat, loose cotton shorts and tops, including long-sleeved tops to protect them from mosquito bites, will be needed.
Rice is consumed with curries (eggplant, potato, green banana, chicken, fish) that range from delicately-spiced to near-dynamite. There are also hoppers (a pancake-like snack), string hoppers (steamed rice noodles) and pittu (flour and coconut mixture). Lamprais - rice and accompaniments baked in plantain leaves - is a legacy of the Dutch. Fresh fish, prawns, crab, squid and crayfish are readily available. Desserts include buffalo curd topped with palm-honey, and the caramel-like wattalapam. Tasty snacks known as short eats are excellent for trips.
Delectable fruit includes the popular mango, pineapple, banana and papaya, and also the lesser-known but distinctive examples such as sapodilla, mangosteen, rambuttan, woodapple, custard apple and beli.Colombo has an impressive range of restaurants specializing in international cuisine.
Souvenirs often combine traditional designs such as makara (a mythical animal, lion, swan, elephant and lotus) which are most evident in brasswork (boxes, trays, lanterns, vases) and silverware (ornately carved and filigree jewellery, tea-sets). In addition, ritual masks, lacquer ware, batik and handloom textiles, lace, and wood carvings are popular.More importantly, Sri Lanka has the widest variety of precious stones among the world.s gem producing countries - blue sapphires, star sapphires, rubies, cat.s eye, garnets, moonstones, aquamarines and topazes being just a dazzling handful that can be purchased . with care.