Why go to Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka is referred to as “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean”. “Sri Lanka has absolutely everything” cited by National Geographic channel, and described Sri Lanka among the top best places to visit in the world, to have your dream holiday, whatever your requirement is. Sri Lanka is country like no other, a paradise for sightseers, wildlife enthusiasts and adventurers, unique experiences, rich in its heritage, natural beauty . Hundreds of sights and uncountable possibilities for activities never seems to end, whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend in a lush coconut palm-fringed tropical beach, or searching for your self-awareness and soulful development in the ancient sacred cities, temples and fortresses; either visiting wildlife parks and sanctuaries, or the tropical evergreen rainforest, misty mountains.

Sri Lanka remains largely unspoilt by outside influences, you can have a real, authentic experience. Sri Lanka is home to the World’s best beaches with nice waves and eternal sunshine, with nearly 1600 km of of palm fringed Coastline. Sri Lanka’s Hill Country is the Island’s most scenic area, misty forests, green peaks, hillsides carpeted with tea plantations, and astonishing water falls. A vast and diverse landscapes ranging from Grasslands to mountains, monsoon rainforests and forests in the dry zone offering a diversity of nature and a richness of species. Sri Lanka has one of the greates wildlife in South East Asia: great elephants, enormous whales, elusive leopards, dozens of dolphins and hundreds of species of colourful birds.

Climate of sri lanka – when to go to Sri Lanka?

Sri Lankan climate is tropical, with distinct dry and wet seasons in different regions. The monsoons are mainly hit the island in May and October-November, but there are always sunny days somewhere, and in between as well.

The two monsoon seasons are:

• South West – May/June & October r/November
• North East; November – March

The average year-round temperature does not change much, and fluctuates around 26 to 32 degrees Celsius. December to March is the high season in the South and West coast, when the sea calms down but is more crowded, more expensive, but the water is calm and the sun is shining continuously. The Central Highlands are dry from December – April. From July to September are wonderful months for those who prefer the lesser heat, but enjoy the sun. The monsoon seasons being very distinct, there is always a sunny beach to be found somewhere in the island. South East Coast has lonely stretch of unspoilt beaches, tourism here is only just awakening. Best times to visit are from May to September. In the hill country the temperature is cooler, you can experience 16ºC, with coolish nights. The sea maintains a comfortable average temperature of 27 ºC all year round.

Geography of Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan central hill country surrounded by the coastal plains. Adam’s Peak at 2243m is the most magnificent, “Pidurutalagala” standing at 2524m near Nuwara Eliya is the highest point in Sri Lanka.

Short historical summary of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, the natures treasure chest is the home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Sri Lanka’s written history exceeds 2550 years.

Recent excavations show that even during the Neolithic Age the history of Sri Lanka started (125,000 – 10,000 BC) with “Homo sapiens Balangodensis” found in Belilena, Kithulgala. The documented history began with the arrival of the Aryans from North India. From the Aryan settlements, Anuradhapura grew in to a powerful kingdom under the rule of King Pandukabhaya.

Sri Lanka’s history is rich and spans over 2500 years leaving a legacy of a multi-ethnic country.

Buddhism was introduced in about the mid-third century, 247 B.C. by Arahat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Asoka of India. This is the most important event in Sri Lankan history as it set the country on the road to cultural greatness. As a new civilization flourished Sri Lanka became rich and prosperous. The cities of Anuradhapura (kingdom from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200) established. Great kings of Polonnaruwa were Vijayabahu, Parakramabahu the Great and Nissanka Malla both of whom adorned the city with numerous buildings of architectural beauty. The grand monuments in the majestic ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa still remind us to the golden age of the island’s civilisation.

Then the trade winds and waves brought Don Lourenço de Almeida to Galle Sri Lanka in 1505, the coastal areas of Sri Lanka were controlled by the Portuguese in the 17th century. The Dutch followed the Portuguese in the 18th century. Later the whole island was formally united under British rule by 1815, In 1815 the whole island came under British power when the last Sinhalese King Keerthi Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe was captured. Modern communications, western medical services, education in English, plantation industry developed during the British rule. Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948 from the British. In 1972 Ceylon changes its name to Sri Lanka. But it has been scarred by a long and bitter civil war arising out of ethnic tensions between the majority Sinhalese and the Tamil minority in the north and east. After more than 25 years the conflict ended in May 2009, when government seized the last area controlled by Tamil Tiger rebels.

Population

Population IS 21.2 million – do not wonder why the villages and cities a bit crowdy. Major religions Buddhism (78%), Hinduism (12%), Islam (5%), Christianity (3%)