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Sri Lanka - introduction
A teardrop-shaped island cast adrift in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is filled with cultural and natural treasures. Indians, Portuguese, Dutch and British have all left their marks here, making for a delightful mix of ancient cities, monuments and atmospheric colonial architecture.
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History
The Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced beginning in about the mid-3rd century B.C. and a great civilization developed at such cities as Anuradhapura (kingdom from c. 200 B.C. to c. 1000 A.D.) and Polonnaruwa (c. 1070 to 1200).
Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century, the island was ceded to the British in 1796 and became a crown colony in 1802. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; the name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972.
Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted in violence in the mid-1980s, killing over 70,000. After a shaky ceasefire between 2001 and 2008, open warfare erupted again, with the Tamil Tigers finally surrendering in 2009. It remains to be seen whether winning the war can be parlayed into lasting peace as well. |
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Cities
Colombo - the largest city, and Commercial Capital
Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte – Administrative Capital
Galle - A home for a Dutch fort, and a a gathering point for travelers from the nearby beach resort villages
Kandy – Biggest city in the Hill country. The spiritual heart of the country, home to a tooth of the Buddha
Nuwara Elya - Hill Station Tea plantations and Golf Course
Haputale - small place on top of a mountain range. Beautiful views
Trincomalee – East Cpoast beach Reosrt – Ideal between May and October
Anuradhapura - ruins of ancient capitals (partially restored)
Polannaruwa - ruins of ancient capitals (partially restored)
Kurunegala
Ratnapura
Jaffna – Largest city in the North
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Weather
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Tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March) only affects east coast; southwest monsoon (June to October) affects mostly the west coast and mountains. |
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To do
• Spy on Sri Lanka's abundant wildlife (much of which is found nowhere else on earth) in the country's various sanctuaries and national parks. Bird watching is superb, and as well as the famous elephants there are also leopards, deer, bears, wild boar, porcupines and monkeys to see.
• Ride an elephant; it'll make you feel like Asian royalty rolling from side to side and looking down on the passing scenery. Wild elephants can be seen in sizeable numbers in several national parks, and there is a well-known elephant orphanage at Pinnawela.
• Go diving or snorkelling to glimpse the country's thriving coral reefs and their myriad multi-hued inhabitants. Colourful diving spots include Bentota and Hikkaduwa, which also have underwater caves and shipwrecks to explore.
• Go hiking through diverse landscapes, especially the rainforest and cloudforest of the hilly interior.
• Immerse yourself in one of Sri Lanka's many colourful festivals. Most involve huge processions of glittering elephants, dancers and drummers. The best-known is Esala Perahera in Kandy; Vel Festival in Colombo is also spectacular.
• Trail your morning tea to its source in Sri Lanka's highlands: inhale the delicious aromas of Victorian-era tea factories, drink their finest and roam the lush tea plantations. The Nuwara Eliya hill station is a popular destination.
• Head to the village of Kitulgala, tucked away amid ravines in the hill country, to enjoy both beginners-standard and high-adrenaline white-water rafting. |
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Map
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Photo gallery
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