Sri Lanka (from the Sanskrit श्री लंका “Venerable Island”), officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (pronounced /ˌɕriːˈlaŋkaː/, Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකා, Tamil: இலங்கை; known as Ceylon (/sɪˈlɒn/) before 1972 and as Taprobane (/təˈprɒbəniː/) in ancient times, is an island country in South Asia, located about 31 kilometres (19.3 mi) off the southern coast of India.
As a result of its location in the path of major sea routes, Sri Lanka is a strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia.[citation needed] It has also been a center of the Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times as well as being a bastion of Hinduism.[8] The Sinhalese community forms the majority of the population; Tamils, who are concentrated in the north and east of the island, form the largest ethnic minority. Other communities include Moors, Burghers, Kaffirs, Malays and the indigenous Vedda people.
The country is famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, coconuts, rubber and cinnamon - which is native to the country.[9] The natural beauty of Sri Lanka's tropical forests, beaches and landscape, as well as its rich cultural heritage, make it a world famous tourist destination.[citation needed] The island also boasts the first female Prime Minister in the world, Sirimavo Bandaranaike.[10]
After over two thousand years of rule by local kingdoms, parts of Sri Lanka were colonized by Portugal and the Netherlands beginning in the 16th century, before control of the entire country was ceded to the British Empire in 1815.[citation needed] During World War II, Sri Lanka served as an important base for Allied forces in the fight against the Japanese Empire.[11] A nationalist political movement arose in the country in the early 20th century with the aim of obtaining political independence, which was eventually granted by the British after peaceful negotiations in 1948.
In ancient times, Sri Lanka was known by a variety of names: ancient Greek geographers called it Taprobane[12] and Arabs referred to it as Serendib (the origin of the word "serendipity").[13] Ceilão was the name given to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese when they arrived in 1505,[14] which was transliterated into English as Ceylon.[15] As a British colony, the island was known as Ceylon, and achieved independence under the name Dominion of Ceylon in 1948. In 1972, the official name of the country was changed to "Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka" (in Sinhala ශ්රී ලංකා śrī laṃkā, IPA: [ˌʃɾiːˈlaŋkaː]; whereas the island itself is referred to as ලංකාව laṃkāva, IPA: [laŋˈkaːʋə], in Tamil இலங்கை ilaṅkai, iˈlaŋɡai). In 1978 it was changed to "Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka".[16] The current name is derived from the Sanskrit word lanka, meaning "island",[17] which was also the name of the island as described in the ancient Indian epics Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The word Sri is a Sanskrit title meaning "venerable".
Geography and climate
The island of Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean, to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal. It is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. According to Hindu mythology, a land bridge to the Indian mainland, known as Rama's Bridge, was constructed during the time of Rama by the vanara architect Nala. Often referred to as Adam's Bridge, it now amounts to only a chain of limestone shoals remaining above sea level.[18] According to colonial British reports, this is a natural causeway which was formerly complete, but was breached by a violent storm in 1480.[19] The width of the Palk Strait is small enough for the coast of Sri Lanka to be visible from the furthest point near the Indian town of Rameswaram.[citation needed] The island consists mostly of flat-to-rolling coastal plains, with mountains rising only in the south-central part. Amongst these is the highest point Pidurutalagala, reaching 2,524 metres (8,280 ft) above sea level.
The climate of Sri Lanka can be described as tropical and warm. Its position between 5 and 10 north latitude endows the country with a warm climate moderated by ocean winds and considerable moisture. The mean temperature ranges from about 16 °C (61 °F) in the Central Highlands, where frost may occur for several days in the winter, to a maximum of approximately 33 °C (91 °F) in other low-altitude areas. The average yearly temperature ranges from 28 °C (82 °F) to nearly 31 °C (88 °F). Day and night temperatures may vary by 4 °C (7 °F) to 7 °C (13 °F). During the coldest days of January, many people wear coats and sweaters in the highlands and elsewhere. May, the hottest period, precedes the summer monsoon rains. The rainfall pattern is influenced by monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal: as the winds encounter the mountain slopes of the Central Highlands, they unload heavy rains on the slopes and the southwestern areas of the island. Some of the windward slopes receive up to 2,500 millimetres (98 in) of rain each month, but the leeward slopes in the east and northeast receive little rain. Periodic squalls occur and sometimes tropical cyclones bring overcast skies and rains to the southwest, northeast, and eastern parts of the island. Between December to March, monsoon winds come from the northeast, bringing moisture from the Bay of Bengal. Humidity is typically higher in the southwest and mountainous areas and depends on the seasonal patterns of rainfall, and places like Colombo experience daytime humidity above 70% all year round, rising to almost 90% during the monsoon season in June. Anuradhapura experiences a daytime low of 60% during the monsoon month of March, but a high of 79% during the November and December rains. In the highlands, Kandy's daytime humidity usually ranges between 70% and 79%.
| Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
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| - | | 543 BC |
| - | | 2–18 March 1815 |
| - | | February 4, 1948 |
| - | | May 22, 1972 |
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| - | Total | |
| - | | 4.4 |
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| - | 2009 estimate | |
| - | July 2008 census | |
| - | | 308.4/km2 (35th)
798.9/sq mi |
| | 2008 estimate |
| - | Total | |
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Language
Sinhalese and Tamil are the two official languages of Sri Lanka. English is fluently spoken by approximately 10% of the population, and is widely used for education, scientific and commercial purposes. Members of the Burgher community speak variant forms of Portuguese Creole and Dutch with varying proficiency, while members of the Malay community speak a form of creole Malay that is unique to the island.
COLOMBO
Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and has a fascination of its own. Nearly every visitor to Sri Lanka begins or ends their stay here. More than anywhere else in the country it's a city where the old and new co-exist. There are high-rise complexes & colonial mansions, supermarkets & street bazaars, flashy western fashions & traditional sarongs, speedy sports cars & one-man rickshaws. Most of the remnants found in Colombo today are the legacy of the British, Dutch & Portuguese. Horseracing was a regular activity on the seaside Galle Face Green. Today, most of the hotels are gathered around this same Green, now minus the horses.
Places of interest:
Vihara Maha Devi Park and the colonial style brilliant white Town Hall; the Museum which houses many rare treasures; the parliamentary complex at Sri Jayawardhanapura, the administrative capital, a unique work of architecture set on an island. The Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall with its spacious gardens and right opposite is the colossal statue of Lord Buddha. Galle Face Green; the Zoological Gardens – reputed to be one of Asia's finest; handloom & handicraft shops. And there are plenty of Night Clubs & Casinos to keep you busy at night.
RATNAPURA
Visit the gem area and see the panning of gem; watch men at work with their age-old customs and rituals; experience the thrill of unearthing a priceless treasure; visit a gem cutting and polishing centre and the gem museum; view an exhibition of Sri Lankan Gems.
ANURADHAPURA
Anuradhapura has been the greatest city of all. It remained the capital of Sri Lanka for about 1400 years. Its ruin's today displays infinite details of rare beauty, delicately set in the world's mightiest masses of monumental masonry second only to the Pyramids of Egypt. The best time to visit Anuradhapura is during "Poson Poya" June - the most sacred place is the "Sri Maha Bodhiya". Worship at the bo tree has continued unbroken for 23 centuries.
MIHINTALE
The story of Mihintale is a story etched deep in the national consciousness. It was at Mihintale that, King Devanampiyatissa while on a deer hunt with his attendants encountered the grandest event in the history of this land – the advent of Buddhism.
The Mihintale Mountain, less than 13 km from Anuradhapura has never ceased to fascinate both local and foreign visitors since it is the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Visitors can join in the ascent of one of the world's most antiquated stone stairway climbing 1840 steps to reach the summit.
KANDY
Kandy, the royal city, nestled among the mid-country hills was the last seat of the Sinhalese King, Sri Wickremarajasinghe. Every visit to Sri Lanka should include its second largest city, Kandy, the Sinhalese cultural and spiritual centre, made even more appealing by its comfortable climate. It is the home of the sacred temple in which is enshrined the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Kandy is also famous for its art and crafts and ancient dance forms. Visit the beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya on the banks of the Sri Lanka's longest river. It's biggest attraction is the annual Kandy Esala Perahera (an elaborate religious procession to honour the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha), a magnificent elephant procession – which fills the town to bursting point with tourists from all over the world. Thousands of dancers and more than 100 elephants make it one of the highlights of the Sri Lankan year.
MATALE
The main tourist attraction in Matale is the handicrafts & Spice Gardens where one can view various spices that have been grown. A guided tour explains the herbal and medicinal value of these spices. Matale is also known to have some of the best craftsmen in the country. Having learnt the work from their ancestors, these talented craftsmen strive to create works of art making use of the traditional methods to suit the modern day living styles. Apart from spices and handicrafts, the colourful batiks (a traditional Sri Lankan form of hand painted designs onto cloth) are also a great attraction.
THE SANDY COAST OF BEACHES
Sri Lanka boasts some of the most beautiful and accessible soft-sandy beaches in the world.
NEGOMBO (North of Colombo)
The major beach resort on the coast north of Colombo is Negombo, popularly known as the Fishing Village. Here is an old world atmosphere of 17th century churches that line the highway and forts. The feast of St. Anne is celebrated here in late July in a carnival atmosphere. Like many other coastal towns in Sri Lanka, Negombo was an important spice port long before the Portuguese set foot on the island. The Negombo Lagoon is a good place to watch the Karava fisherman at work. These fishermen bring their daily catch of fish, crabs and prawns to the fish market. During the day they are seen mending their nets on the beach.
SOUTH OF COLOMBO
(Mount Lavinia, Wadduwa, Kalutara, Beruwela, Aluthgama, Bentota, Induruwa, Kosgoda, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unuwatuna, Koggala, Weligama, Dikwella, Tangalle)
All of these towns have very good beaches and have an array of hotels to choose from.
Along the coast there are a variety of activities including water sports, a visit to the botanical gardens, river boat rides (Bentota); a visit to a turtle hatchery (Bentota, Induruwa & Kosgoda); glass bottom boat rides to see corals, snorkelling, diving & surfing (Hikkaduwa), or visiting a mask museum & factory and lace factory. (Ambalangoda - just before Hikkaduwa.) Of course, seafood is predominant throughout.
GALLE
Galle the seaside town is famous for its well-preserved 17th century Dutch Fort, lace making and ebony carvings. The journey to Galle is along the Palm fringed coast passing Ambalangoda, famous for its mask makers and Hikkaduwa with its incredibly beautiful coral gardens and exotic tropical fish. Seafood is a speciality all the way. Another interesting place to visit is a Turtle Hatchery.
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