Guide to Sri Lanka - Pearl of the Indian Ocean
Geography
Sri Lanka, a magnificent land of contrasts, is a tear-shaped island located to the South of the Indian subcontinent. The total land area is 65,610 sq. km and and the terrain is astonishingly varied, with a length of 445 km. and breadth of 225 km. The landscape encompasses beautiful tropical beaches, verdant vegetation, ancient monuments and some astonishingly varied attractions to please all tastes. The relief features of the island consist of a mountainous mass somewhat south of the centre, with height exceeding 2,500 metres, surrounded by broad plains. Palm fringed beaches surround the island and the sea temperature rarely falls below 27oC. In the lowlands the climate is typically tropical. In the higher elevations it can be quite cool at an altitude of nearly 2,000 metres.
Historical and Cultural Sri Lanka
The stately pillars and walls that held up Sri Lanka's impressive two millennia-old civilisations still bear the weight of history. And even if the walls of Ashlars are now fallen and giant squirrels have the run of stately audience halls where great kings held court, glory lingers everywhere. It exists in royal palaces fringed by perfectly landscaped pleasure gardens, vast irrigation lakes and views that are literally fit for kings. Ancient capitals and fortresses still hold the stone and plaster of a profusion of fallen monuments, but this is not the case everywhere. In some places time has stood still, and the mark of preservation is almost undetectable. You can journey to the stunning 5th rock fortress at Sigiriya, and marvel at the undiminished beauty of age-old frescoes glowing with colour after fifteen centuries. Elsewhere, sculptured towers and woodland monasteries still retain a haunting ambience of forgotten grandeur, looking out on vast irrigation lakes and quiet valleys.
The hill capital of Kandy is picturesquely surrounded by mountain chains, lake and river houses and the most sacred of shrines - the temple of the Dalada Maligawa (Palace of the Sacred tooth relic) - which holds the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha. Moated, turreted and shining in its golden-roofed glory, the temple is a fine example of ancient Buddhist heritage. But the rich diversity of Sri Lankan heritage also draws inspiration from its Tamil Hindu and Muslim inhabitants, from whom many fine evidences of architecture have resulted. Four and a half centuries of European rule complete the eclectic richness of Sri Lanka's heritage and culture, the most impressive remnant of its time being the 17th century Dutch walled city of Galle. Everywhere in this glorious country the lingering echoes of an illustrious and rich past refer softly and hauntingly to a forgotten era.
Demography
Sri Lanka has a population of 18.5 million of whom the majority are Sinhalese (74%). Other ethnic groups are made up of Sri Lankan Tamils (12.6%), Indian Tamils (5.5%), Moors, Malays, Burghers (of Portuguese & Dutch descent) and others (7.9%). Although Sri Lanka is a multi-religious country, Buddhists constitute the majority with 69.3%. Other religious groups are Hindus 15.5%, Muslims 7.6% and Christians 7.5%. Sri Lanka's literacy rate of 88.6% is one of the highest in Asia.
Religion & Language
Sinhala and Tamil are official languages in Sri Lanka. Sinhala, a language of Indo-Aryan origin is the language of the majority. English is widely spoken and understood. Place names and sign-boards on buses and trains are usually in all three languages. Sri Lanka is a land of religious freedom and tolerance. Wherever you travel you will come across a Buddhist Temple or Dagaba, a Hindu Kovil, a Christian Church or a Mosque, each with its own distinctive architecture. When visiting holy places, it is advisable to please conform to the requirements with regard to the attire in order not to show disrespect.
Places of Interest - Beach Resorts
The beach resorts of Sri Lanka start at Negombo and stretch down hundreds of miles on the south-western coastline. These beaches are rarely full or overcrowded, due to the high number of hotels in the country and the fact that they are relatively spread-out. Here follows a brief description of each resort.
Negombo is very popular, being located just 30 minutes from the airport. Most of the hotels are located on a wide stretch of beach several minutes north of the town and there is a variety of accommodation standards as well as many small bars and restaurants.
Mount Lavinia is known as Colombo´s beach, being just south of the city and the hotel here has an excellent city skyline view from the pool terrace. It is a good option for those looking to explore Colombo as well as relax on the beach.
Wadduwa and Kalutara are the first beach resort areas south of Colombo. Whilst there are many hotels along this stretch there are also many quaint villages, which provide some charm to the area. There is limited activity outside the hotel complexes although Kalutara has a fairly busy town to visit.
Beruwela is known as a more action-packed resort, with many beach sports and activities taking place, and hotels situated more closely to one another. Here the waters are calm, shallow and peaceful, making it a good choice for families.
Bentota is the largest beach resort in the country and is situated where the river meets the sea. The quality of hotels here is good, and the wide, calm beach makes it ideal for watersports. A smaller bay just south of Bentota is home to some of the smaller boutique hotels.
Galle is probably the best known coastal town and has some great boutique hotels. The Dutch Fort is a popular UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also an interesting colonial town with some fascinating architecture.
Places of Interest - Cultural and Historical
Colombo, Sri Lanka´s bustling capital is located on the country´s west coast and with a population of between 800,000 and one million (estimates vary) it is by far the country´s biggest city as well as its window on the world. Its natural harbour at the mouth of the Kelani River was a magnet for successive traders and conquerors - first Arab merchants, then Portuguese, Dutch and British imperialist. The city is sometimes jarring mix of old and new, with a central cluster of high rise office blocks and hotels overshadowing red tiled colonial are buildings and sprawling street markets which overflow with high piled fruit and vegetable, colourful silks and cottons, and deliciously fragrant spices. During the day, however, its colourful street markets, colonial-era building, museums and galleries, churches, mosques and temples, and the lovely Viharemahadevi Park with its beautiful trees, make it a great place to explore on foot.
Polonnaruwa rose to fame as the capital after the decline of Anuradhapura. Its period of greatness was from the 10th - 12th centuries AD. The entire landscape of the region is punctuated by huge man made reservoirs, veritable seas, the most famous of which is the Parakrama Samudra or the sea of Parakrama, larger in size than Colombo harbour. The monuments of this city mainly date from the reigns of Parakrama Bahu the Great and King Nissanka Malla. Don´t miss the Gal Vihare complex, with the fine sculptures of the recumbent, standing and seated Buddhas.
Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka´s ancient capital between 5th century BC - 9th century AD and the centre of the island´s Buddhist civilisation. The Island´s oldest Buddhist shrines, some dating back to 3rd century BC, are found here. The oldest documented tree on earth, the Sri Maha Bodhi (Over 2000 years old), Pleasure Gardens, beautifully executed Stone Baths and Ponds, a superb Irrigation System of Reservoirs and Canals are the main attractions.
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka´s picturesque hill resort at 5199 ft above sea level, is renowned for its perennial spring like climate, pretty waterfalls, and carpets of lush green tea between deep chasms. Once the favourite town of British planters, the buildings still resemble old English cottages.
Kandy, which was the last independent kingdom of the Singhalese kings, is the most important place for the present Buddhist because of the sacred tooth relic temple. Kandy is also the most beautiful city of Sri Lanka with its picturesque lake built by its last king its hills surrounding the city, its "devales" the oldest the natha devale belonging to the 14th century and the palace of the last king of Kandy which are now the districts courts and the archeological museum. Kandy also is the center for Buddhist cultural affaires with meditation center and Buddhist publication societies.
The unique Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage situated near Kegalle, 20km (12 miles) west of Kandy on the Colombo-Kandy Highway, is a highlight. Here you will find a young orphaned or abandoned elephants cared for and trained. The herd usually numbers about 50, from tiny infants (tiny in elephant terms, that is) to hefty adolescents and young adults. The best time to visit is between 10:00 and midday, and 14:00 and 16:00, when the keepers bring their charges down to the river to bath and play.
The Royal Botanical Gardens are located bout 64 km (4 miles) southwest of the town centre at Peradeniya on the Colombo highway, close to the banks of the Mahaweli Ganga. These gorgeous gardens were first planted and laid out for King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha (1747 - 1780) and cover some 60 hectares (150 acres) of trees, lawns and flowering shrubs, including a 20 hectare (50 acre) arboretum of more than 10,000 trees. Under British rule, the royal park became a botanical garden in 1821 and is the largest of Sri Lanka´s three main botanical gardens. Here exotic crops such as coffee, tea, nutmeg, rubber and cinchona (quinine) - all of which later became important to Sri Lanka´s economy - were tested.
The vihara known in ancient times as Jambukolalena is situated on top of the rock of Dambulla. Here you will find cave inscriptions of the 2nd century BC. Inside several drip-ledged caves here image houses have been constructed. The structures here have been renovated by Vijayabahu (1055-1110 AD). According to an inscription of Nissanka Malla at the site that king has gilded the statues here and named the site the Rangiri Dambulla. King Kirtisiri Rajasinha of Kandy effected the last renovations here. Inside the Vihara are many seated, standing and recumbent Buddha statues and statues of gods. On the walls of the image houses are paintings. Most of the images and paintings belong to the Kandy period.
The remains of Sigiriya constructed by King Kasapa I (437-491 AD), lie five miles off Inamaluwa on the Dambulla-Habarana Road. On the west of the rock are ponds, the remains of summer palaces and other structures and the first part of the ancient road, which led to the summit. Ramparts had girded the areas of land to the east and to the west of the rock. In the past the entire western face of the rock had been covered with plaster and painted upon, but only those paintings in two sheltered pockets now survive. The last lap of the ancient path to the summit had been through the mouth of a lion. At present only parts of the lion's legs and some of the lime stone steps from within the lion's mouth survive.
Passport Information
All passengers (including children) must have their own passport. Passport holders should travel with a passport that has a validity of six months after their return date. Citizens of the UK who are spending no more than 30 days on holiday in Sri Lanka do not require a visa in advance and tourist visas will be issued on arrival at no charge.
Currency
The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee, divided into 100 cents and with denominations 10,20,50,100,200,500 and 1000. You may wish to consider taking some smaller notes as larger notes can be more difficult to change in some shops and tourist areas. Credit cards are widely accepted and you will find ATM machines in Colombo and a couple in Kandy. Travellers cheques many be exchanged at any major bank and some hotels.
Time Difference
+ 6 hours GMT. (5 hours during British Summer Time)
Health
The following immunisations are recommended: Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. However, we would advise you to consult your GP for the latest information.
Safety
Although problems in Sri Lanka have never affected the tourist areas a ceasefire has finally been agreed and the eagerly awaited peace has arrived. Also beware of pickpockets in the beach resorts and look after your valuables on the beaches and tourist sites.
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