Introduction
Leopards, Long Island Iced Tea and a whole lot of lounging around. For a small island, Sri Lanka has many nicknames: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient.
This colourful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of the affection it evokes in its visitors.
The beach thing may be a cliche, but don't miss them. Then head to the hills to cool off amidst tea plantations and ancient cities. The island teems with bird life, and even the occasional elephant or leopard. To top it all off, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and costs are low.
Geography:
Sri Lanka is shaped like a giant teardrop falling from the southern tip of the vast Indian subcontinent. It is separated from India by the 50km (31mi) wide Palk Strait, although there is a series of stepping-stone coral islets known as Adam's Bridge that almost form a land bridge between the two countries. The island is just 350km (217mi) long and only 180km (112mi) wide at its broadest, and is about the same size as Ireland, West Virginia or Tasmania. The southern half of the island is dominated by beautiful and rugged hill country. The entire northern half comprises a large plain extending from the edge of the hill country to the Jaffna peninsula. The highest mountain is the 2524m (1565mi) Mt Pidurutalagala near Nuwara Eliya, and the longest river is the Mahaweli, which courses from the centre and empties into the Indian Ocean at Trincomalee. The best beaches are on the southwestern, southern and southeastern coasts.
Destination Facts
Capital: Colombo (official); Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative)
President: Mahinda Rajapaksa
Prime Minister: Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
Government: republic
Time zone: GMT +5.5
Area: 66000
Population: 20000000
People: 74% Sinhalese, 18% Tamils, 7% Moor, 1% other
Religion: 69% Buddhist, 8% Muslim, 7% Hindu 6% Christian
Currency: Sri Lanka Rupee (Rs)
Major industries: Processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco
Major Trading Partners: US, UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore, India, Iran, Taiwan, Belgium, Hong Kong, China, South Korea
Country Dialing Code: 94
Getting there and away
The only way to enter Sri Lanka is by flying. Colombo is the international gateway for direct flights from Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. There are cheap flights available between Colombo and Madras, Trichy, Trivandrum and Bombay. Departure tax is 10.00.
Getting around
There are no domestic passenger flights in Sri Lanka, which leaves buses and trains as the dominant modes of transport. Buses, ranging from smoke-spewing nightmares to modern private coaches, are cheap, plentiful and always overcrowded. Train travel, while slower, is much more comfortable and the southern line to Matara passes some of the best beaches. Motorbike and self-drive car hire are becoming more popular, though motorists often run an obstacle race around cows and dogs - many of the latter significantly three-legged. It's common to rent a car with a driver for a day trip or a multi-day tour of the island; prices are reasonable. Local transport consists of buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. Ask around and agree a fare beforehand.
Weather
Sri Lanka is a typically tropical country with distinct dry and wet seasons. The picture is somewhat complicated by the fact that it is subject to two monsoons: the Yala season (May to August), when the southwest monsoon brings rain to the southern, western and central regions; and the Maha season (October to January), when the northeast monsoon brings rain to the north and east of the island. Temperatures in the low-lying coastal regions are high year round but they rapidly fall with altitude and in the hill country, where it feels like perpetual spring. The highest temperatures are from March through June, while November to January is usually the coolest time of the year. Rainfall is heaviest in the south, southwest and central highlands; the northern and north-central regions are very dry. The best time to visit the west, south coast and hill country is between December and March. May to September is best on the east coast.
Warning
Fighting between the Sri Lankan military and the LTTE (Tamil Tigers) continues to result in civilian casualties and homelessness in the country's north. Travellers should stay well clear of the Jaffna, Mannar, Welioya, and Vavuniya regions. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings.
Leopards, Long Island Iced Tea and a whole lot of lounging around. For a small island, Sri Lanka has many nicknames: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient.
This colourful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of the affection it evokes in its visitors.
Sri Lanka is shaped like a giant teardrop falling from the southern tip of the vast Indian subcontinent. It is separated from India by the 50km (31mi) wide Palk Strait, although there is a series of stepping-stone coral islets known as Adam's Bridge that almost form a land bridge between the two countries. The island is just 350km (217mi) long and only 180km (112mi) wide at its broadest, and is about the same size as Ireland, West Virginia or Tasmania. The southern half of the island is dominated by beautiful and rugged hill country. The entire northern half comprises a large plain extending from the edge of the hill country to the Jaffna peninsula. The highest mountain is the 2524m (1565mi) Mt Pidurutalagala near Nuwara Eliya, and the longest river is the Mahaweli, which courses from the centre and empties into the Indian Ocean at Trincomalee. The best beaches are on the southwestern, southern and southeastern coasts.
Capital: Colombo (official); Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative)
President: Mahinda Rajapaksa
Prime Minister: Ratnasiri Wickremanayake
Government: republic
Time zone: GMT +5.5
Area: 66000
Population: 20000000
People: 74% Sinhalese, 18% Tamils, 7% Moor, 1% other
Religion: 69% Buddhist, 8% Muslim, 7% Hindu 6% Christian
Currency: Sri Lanka Rupee (Rs)
Major industries: Processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, and other agricultural commodities; clothing, cement, petroleum refining, textiles, tobacco
Major Trading Partners: US, UK, Germany, Japan, Singapore, India, Iran, Taiwan, Belgium, Hong Kong, China, South Korea
Country Dialing Code: 94
The only way to enter Sri Lanka is by flying. Colombo is the international gateway for direct flights from Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. There are cheap flights available between Colombo and Madras, Trichy, Trivandrum and Bombay. Departure tax is 10.00.
There are no domestic passenger flights in Sri Lanka, which leaves buses and trains as the dominant modes of transport. Buses, ranging from smoke-spewing nightmares to modern private coaches, are cheap, plentiful and always overcrowded. Train travel, while slower, is much more comfortable and the southern line to Matara passes some of the best beaches. Motorbike and self-drive car hire are becoming more popular, though motorists often run an obstacle race around cows and dogs - many of the latter significantly three-legged. It's common to rent a car with a driver for a day trip or a multi-day tour of the island; prices are reasonable. Local transport consists of buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws. Ask around and agree a fare beforehand.
Sri Lanka is a typically tropical country with distinct dry and wet seasons. The picture is somewhat complicated by the fact that it is subject to two monsoons: the Yala season (May to August), when the southwest monsoon brings rain to the southern, western and central regions; and the Maha season (October to January), when the northeast monsoon brings rain to the north and east of the island. Temperatures in the low-lying coastal regions are high year round but they rapidly fall with altitude and in the hill country, where it feels like perpetual spring. The highest temperatures are from March through June, while November to January is usually the coolest time of the year. Rainfall is heaviest in the south, southwest and central highlands; the northern and north-central regions are very dry. The best time to visit the west, south coast and hill country is between December and March. May to September is best on the east coast.
Fighting between the Sri Lankan military and the LTTE (Tamil Tigers) continues to result in civilian casualties and homelessness in the country's north. Travellers should stay well clear of the Jaffna, Mannar, Welioya, and Vavuniya regions. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings.
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