Sri Lanka

Overview

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an island country located at South Asia in the Indian Ocean.

The country recorded a population of 21.67 million in 2018 and covers an area of 65,610 km2.

It has two capitals; Colombo, which is the executive and judicial capital and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, which is the legislative capital.

Colombo is the main point in the country on the Indian Ocean. It is the largest city in the country and the main financial centre.

Town hall in Colombo.

History

The Portuguese occupied Colombo between 1505 and 1833 after which the Island unified under the British rule under the name Ceylon.

Ceylon became independent in 1948. And later changed its name to Sri Lanka in 1972.

Food & culture

Its culture is mixed with a traditional touch and the modern touch. It is greatly based on Theravada Buddhism culture.

The major crops in the country are rice, tea, rubber and coconut. The popular foods are dhal curry, sour fish curry, hoppers and kothu.

Wildlife

The main wildlife animals in the country include the Asian elephant, leopard, turtle, sloth bear, sambar, the blue whale and water buffalo.

Dalada Maligava (“Temple of the Tooth”), where a tooth of the Buddha is believed to be preserved, Kandy.

Festivals & events

Duruthu Pahera Festival is a Buddhist festival held during the full moon in Kelaniya Temple.

Thai Pongal festival is held at the beginning of the month of Tai by people of Tamil community.

Esala Perahera festival is held either in July or August to honour the tooth relic of Buddha at the streets of Kandy city.

Things to see

Ratnapura city is a traditional city where tourists visit to buy commodities such as gems, leather products, jewellery, reproduction antiques and precious stones.

Sri Dalada Maligawa is a Buddhist Temple at the city of Kandy in the royal palace of the historic Kingdom of Kandy which houses the tooth relic of Lord Buddha.

Yala National Park, Minneriya National Park and Wilpattu are parks where a variety of wildlife is preserved. There is also an elephant orphanage Pinnawala.

Sigiriya Fortress is a historical and archaeological site that is 200m high in Dambulla town.

Tea plantation in Nuwara Eliya

Interesting facts

It is the third-largest tea producers in the world after China and Kenya.

The country is known for the production of Ceylon tea grown at the highlands of Sri Lanka with a unique flavour and high antioxidant content.

It is also called the treasure box of Indian Ocean since it is one of the world’s largest producers of gems and precious stones.

The country’s official languages are Tamil and Sinhala.

Theravada Buddhism is the state religion.

City guides

• ColomboCapital city
• GalleFortified old town on Sri Lanka's south coast
• KandySri Lanka's sacred hill capital

Cities & towns I’ve visited

• Colombo

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka

0 of 8 visited. See every site I've been to.

• Anuradhapura 1982
• Central Highlands of Sri Lanka 2010
• Dambulla cave temple 1991
• Kandy 1988
• Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications 1988
• Polonnaruwa 1982
• Sigiriya 1982
• Sinharaja Forest Reserve 1988

My photos from Sri Lanka

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Plan your trip to Sri Lanka

• HotelsBooking.com
• Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
• FlightsKiwi.com
• Attraction ticketsTiqets
• Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
• Car hireAuto Europe
• Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
• GuidebooksAmazon

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Neighbours

• India