Where is Sri Lanka located? The best holiday in Sri Lanka Which resort in Sri Lanka is better to choose

ශ්‍රී ලංකා ප්‍රජාතාන්ත්‍රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය

Capital- city of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
Square- 65,610 sq. km.
Population— 21.6 million people
Language- Sinhala and Tamil
Form of government- mixed republic
Independence date (from Great Britain)— February 4, 1948
The largest city —
Currency— Sri Lankan rupee
Timezone — +5:30
Telephone code — +94

At the official level the country is called Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The state is located in southern Asia on the territory of the island of Sri Lanka in the southwestern part of the coast of Hindustan. Until the country gained independence, it was called Ceylon. The official capital of the state is the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, where the supreme court and parliament are located. However, the actual capital is the city. The residence of the country's president is located here and the government meets. Dondra is the southern cape of the island, Dutch Bay is the western.

Sri Lanka - video

The island of Sri Lanka is washed by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The Palk Strait and the Gulf of Manara separate Sri Lanka from Hindustan. In the past, the island was connected to the mainland by the so-called Adam's Bridge (a sandbar in the Palk Strait), but according to legend, the bridge was destroyed during one of the earthquakes. In the center of the country there are mountain ranges, the rest of the territory is predominantly lowland. The highest mountain peak is located at an altitude of 2,524 meters above sea level and is called Pidurutalagala. The island's subequatorial monsoon climate is determined by the northeast and southwest monsoons that blow throughout the year.
The largest rivers Sri Lanka are Kalu, Aruvi-Aru, Kelani, Mahaweli-Ganga.

According to the government census conducted in the summer of 2013, the country has a population of about 21.6 million people. By nationality we can distinguish Sinhalese (about 75%), Tamils (about 18%), Sri Lankan Moors (about 7%), burghers (about 0.3%), Veddas (about 1 thousand people). Religiously, the country's population is divided into followers of Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam - 70%, 15%, 8% and 7%, respectively.

The country's calling card is tea. In terms of its production volumes, Sri Lanka is third in the world, second only to China and. The country has achieved the greatest success in the extraction of precious stones, rubber and cinnamon. The textile industry occupies a leading position in terms of export volumes (about 63%), agriculture - about 20%. The country has a fairly extensive network of bus routes, which are served by both the state bus company and private enterprises. You can get to any corner of the island by bus, but traveling there will be little fun due to dirt, dust, crowding and low speed (no more than 45 km/h). There are also more comfortable buses, but getting on them is quite difficult - tickets must be booked in advance at bus stations or at transport agencies.

It is worth mentioning the island's railway transport. The railway connection connects large cities with each other. The trains have carriages of different classes with and without air conditioning. A world-famous restored train, which was built back in 1928, runs along one of the routes. Sri Lanka has Bandaranaike International Airport, located approximately 35 kilometers from. The airport was built by the British in 1940 and was initially used as a military airport.

Sights of Sri Lanka

Bambarakanda waterfall

Waterfall "Bridal Veil"

On the territory of the state there are famous Ceylon tea plantations, which was first brought here from China in 1824. In the second half of the 19th century, tea began to be grown here on an industrial scale for the first time - this was done by James Taylor, a planter from Scotland, who planted about 80 hectares of land with tea.

1. In Sri Lanka, national conflicts occur quite often within the country, so do not be surprised by the large number of military personnel on the streets and roadblocks. Train and bus stations in the country are usually surrounded by fences, and all passengers must show identification upon entry. In the southern part of the country the situation is somewhat calmer, so there are usually fewer checks here.

2. When visiting restaurants or cafes, pay attention to what the food you ordered is prepared from, since all the dishes here are spicy. To avoid misunderstandings, ask the waiter serving your table about the composition of a particular dish. You should choose sauces especially carefully. If you have eaten very spicy food, then you do not need to wash it down with water - it is better to eat bread or unleavened flatbread.

3. If you want to order tea in a cafe, take the trouble to explain how you need to brew it, since here they do it a little differently than in Europe.

4. The main dish in Sri Lanka is rice, which is served on a separate large plate, along with small saucers with various spices and seasonings.

5. Do not be alarmed if you are offered to buy soft drugs on the street - this is considered a common occurrence here, despite the fact that the laws of the country provide for the highest penalty for distribution and possession of drugs - the death penalty.

6. Be sure to wash your hands very thoroughly before eating. It is better to scald vegetables with boiling water. Water should be drunk exclusively from plastic bottles with factory caps.

7. Residents of the country are very friendly with tourists, although this attitude is not always pleasant, as sometimes it develops into intrusiveness (this mainly applies to local street vendors and tour guides).

8. In Sri Lanka, entry to many beaches is free, however, the beaches at some hotels are closed. Hunting animals and collecting corals is strictly prohibited here.

9. It is best to dress in the country in light clothes made of natural fabric in light shades. If you are going to climb the mountains, be sure to take warm clothes with you.

10. When visiting temples, you must take off your shoes and hats. It is prohibited to enter such places wearing short skirts and shorts, as well as bare shoulders and backs. Do not turn your back on Buddha statues, do not show your feet or the soles of shoes to others, do not take photographs of the local population without permission, and do not offend cows, as they are sacred animals here.

11. It is not at all necessary to leave a tip in restaurants or hotels. Sometimes they are included in the total bill for a service or meal.

12. The voltage in the local power supply is 230-240V, and the sockets are three-pin, so to use them you need to purchase a special adapter.

Full name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
Area: 65,610 sq. km.
Population: 21,675,648 people.
Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Official currency: Sri Lankan rupee.

In the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, not far from the coast of India, there is a small island shaped like a drop.

Everyone has heard about it at least once, and every day they probably enjoy its gifts - delicious black or green tea. His real name is rarely spoken, but his “nickname” Ceylon is heard by many. This is Sri Lanka!

Sri Lanka is separated from the Hindustan Peninsula by the narrow Palk Strait.

The people of Sri Lanka are called Sri Lankans.

At the beginning of the 19th century. the island was a colony (dependent territory) of Great Britain and was called Ceylon, and in 1972 it became independent and received a new name - Sri Lanka, which means “blessed land” in Sinhala.

Due to former British rule, almost everyone speaks English in Sri Lanka today. Only he is not quite familiar. Often, a resident of the British Isles or the USA will not fully understand a Sri Lankan, although both will communicate in the same language. This is because local residents add a lot of “their” words to their speech.

The flag of Sri Lanka is one of the oldest. It features a Sinhalese lion and two multi-colored stripes. The lion is the symbol of the ancestors of modern Sri Lankans, the green and orange stripes mean the few Muslims and Hindus, and the red part of the flag symbolizes the predominant Buddhists on the island. In the corners of the flag there are 4 leaves of paipula, a tree sacred to Buddhists.

Sri Lanka is an island of precious stones. In its depths are rubies, garnets, moonstone, and amethysts. But the “king” of stones is sapphire - blue, pink, yellow, white and very rare star. A Lankan sapphire even adorns the English crown!

As in other Asian countries, motorized pedicabs are popular in Sri Lanka. Here they are called "knock-knock". This is the only safe means of transportation, since it can easily go around any obstacle. Chaos is happening on the streets of Sri Lankan cities! Local residents do not follow traffic rules. They can stop their vehicle whenever and wherever they want just to let a cow pass or to go out and say hello to an acquaintance whom they suddenly saw on the street...

This is interesting!
Taking Sri Lankan rupees abroad, even as a souvenir, is prohibited by law.

An umbrella in Sri Lanka is not a means of keeping out the rain, but the main protection from the sun. It won’t save you from the downpours that happen here, but it won’t save you from the hot sun without an umbrella. That's why umbrellas are sold even in grocery stores.

In a cafe, before putting a dish on a plate, they put a plastic bag on it. In this way, Sri Lankans maintain hygiene, and there is no need to wash dishes after eating.

One state - two capitals

The small state of Sri Lanka can boast that it has not one capital, but two! This is the large metropolis of Colombo and the little-known town with the complex name of Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte. The first houses the residence of the President of Sri Lanka, and the second houses the country's parliament and the Supreme Court.

Colombo means “mangrove harbour” in Sinhala. The city is indeed located in an area with many mangroves. But there is another version of the name. It is believed that the Portuguese, who conquered Sri Lanka in the past, could have named the city this way in honor of the navigator Christopher Columbus.

Colombo is the largest city on the island and the largest port in Sri Lanka. It's noisy and crowded here all the time, the streets are filled with cars and tuk-tuks. Colombo is the only city in Sri Lanka where there are high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. And only here temples belonging to representatives of three religions at once coexist safely - churches (Christianity), mosques (Islam) and Buddhist temples.
Colombo is home to one of the best botanical gardens in Asia. Its highlights are the Orchid House and the Spice Garden. The world's rarest species of these plants grow in the Orchid House. And in the Spice Garden all the aromatic plants and herbs of the island of Sri Lanka are collected. The king of the garden is pepper, and the queen is cinnamon. It is thanks to the huge amount of spices that the island was interesting for many European countries. Their rulers always dreamed of capturing plantations of allspice, vanilla, cloves, and ginger, which had no equal in the world.

Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte is a town in the suburbs of Colombo. When at the beginning of the 16th century. Envoys of the Portuguese king arrived on the island, the guides managed to stretch the five-kilometer route between Colombo and Kotte into a three-day hike around the entire island! This was done to confuse uninvited guests and hide the exact location of the capital from them. The expression “to go to Kotte” for modern Sri Lankans means “to take a roundabout route.”

The city of Colombo was the capital during the domination of Ceylon by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. When the state became independent, the city of Kotte received the capital function.

Today Kotte is a beautiful, quiet town with many universities and colleges. The Sri Lankan Parliament sits here. A luxurious building was specially built for him in the center of the city lake. Various festivals and fun carnivals are often held on the streets, in which brightly and beautifully dressed elephants - the symbol and pride of Sri Lanka - always take part.

Elephant City

In the past, elephants were the main transport in Sri Lanka. They transported people and cargo in the mountains and jungles. Today this is done by tractors and trucks, but the elephant is still the main animal and symbol of the island.

The Sri Lankan elephant is different from its African brother. The inhabitants of the hot continent are larger, their ears are of a different shape and they always have powerful tusks. Among Sri Lankan elephants, tusks can be seen on about one in 20 animals.

An elephant lives as long as a person - 70-80 years. An adult animal weighs about 5 tons. He needs 250 kg of reed or coconut palm leaves and 200 liters of water per day.

For us, elephants are a symbol of wisdom and tranquility. But Sri Lankans think differently. They consider giants a natural disaster and fight them. Most animals are not killed by poachers. They are shot... by farmers. Elephants wander into fields, destroy crops and even destroy houses. A herd of angry elephants can destroy an entire village! The giants are not stopped by either fences or traps, and it is useless to try to “negotiate” with them. Lankan elephants are considered more aggressive and “clueless” than their African relatives.

There are fewer and fewer elephants in Sri Lanka every year. To protect the animals from extinction, the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was built on the island. This is a huge nursery where elephants left without parents, disabled elephants and retired elephants live. By the way, the oldest animal here is more than 60 years old, and the youngest is only two months old. He is given warm milk from the nipple to make him stronger and feel good.

Elephants are the main participants in all holidays and festivals in Sri Lanka. They are dressed in special mask costumes and decorated with jewelry.

Elephants have been trained for performances for many years. When elephants grow up, they “work off” their care and maintenance by giving tourists rides on their backs. This is the most popular attraction among visitors and the main business of local residents. Before riding, the elephant is saddled. This is done only for the sake of tourists. Sri Lankans ride bareback. Maintaining balance while riding is very difficult, but an excellent view opens from the back of the animal. Traveling on horseback, you become convinced that the elephant seems clumsy only from the outside. Despite its impressive weight, it moves almost silently. Usually an elephant walks at walking speed, but if necessary, giants can reach speeds of up to 40 km/h.

An elephant that has worked up an appetite during the trip must be thanked. The best way to do this is to feed him bananas, the elephant's favorite dessert.

The fauna of Sri Lanka is very diverse. Animals and birds on the island feel free, they are not afraid of humans and live next to him.

Based on materials

Sri Lanka is the island of Sun and Sand. More than one thousand kilometers of sandy beaches with palm trees surround Sri Lanka. Until 1972, this country was called Ceylon. And although its name has changed, the best black tea in the world, Ceylon, is still grown there. In addition to beautiful beaches and tea, Sri Lanka has a large number of historical attractions, ranging from Buddhist and Hindu monasteries and temples to orchid gardens and colorful festivals.

Geography of Sri Lanka

The island nation of Sri Lanka is located in the northern Indian Ocean off the southern coast of the Hindustan Peninsula in South Asia. Sri Lanka is washed on all sides by the Pacific Ocean. In the northwest it has a maritime border with India, and in the southwest with the Maldives. The total area of this country is 65,610 square meters. km

In the center and south of Sri Lanka there are foothills and mountains, and the rest of the territory is plains and coastal lowlands. The largest local peak is Mount Pidurutalagala, whose height reaches 2,524 meters.

The longest river in Sri Lanka is the Mahaweli, its length is 335 km. The Mahaweli flows through the central, northern and eastern regions of this country, and flows into the Bay of Bengal.

Capital

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the capital of Sri Lanka. More than 120 thousand people now live in this city.

Official language of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has two official languages - Sinhala and Tamil.

Religion

More than 70% of the population professes Buddhism (specifically Theravada Buddhism), more than 12% Hinduism, almost 10% Islam, and about 7% Christianity.

State structure

According to the current Constitution, Sri Lanka is a presidential-parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, elected for 6 years by universal suffrage. The President is the Supreme Commander and appoints ministers.

Sri Lanka's unicameral parliament has 225 members elected by popular vote every six years. The President of the country has the right to dissolve Parliament.

Administratively, Sri Lanka is divided into 9 provinces and 25 districts.

Climate and weather

Due to its proximity to the equator, the climate in Sri Lanka is tropical and warm. The average annual air temperature is +28-31C. In hilly areas and foothills - +20C, and in flat and coastal areas - +27C.

The monsoon (rainy) season continues from May to July in the central, western and southern regions of the island. In the northern and eastern regions, the rainy season occurs in December and January.

The best time to visit Sri Lanka is from November to April (southwest coast and mountains) and from May to September (east coast). Thus, you can visit Sri Lanka all year round, because... there is always a dry season on some part of this island.

Sea in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is washed on all sides by the Pacific Ocean. The length of the coast is 1,585 kilometers. Local beaches are surrounded by palm groves. The average sea temperature in January is +28C, and in July - +27C.

Rivers and lakes

There are more than 100 rivers in Sri Lanka. The longest of them is Mahaveli, its length is 335 km. The Mahaweli flows through the central, northern and eastern regions of this country, and flows into the Bay of Bengal.

Story

The history of civilization in Sri Lanka goes back more than 2.5 thousand years. In former times this country was called Ceylon. The first settlers were the Veddas. Around the 6th century BC. The Sinhalese arrived on this island and founded their kingdoms there. From the 3rd century BC. Buddhism begins to spread there. Until the 11th century, the capital of the most powerful Sinhala kingdom was Anuradhapura, and then it was moved to Polonnaruwe.

In 1505, the Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka and monopolized the spice trade. By 1658, the Sinhala kings, with the help of the Dutch, were able to expel the Portuguese from the island.

The Dutch were more interested in trade and profit than in governing this country. Therefore, they did not resist the British very much when the British sailed to Sri Lanka in 1796. In 1815, Britain defeated the Sinhalese kingdom of Kandy, thereby establishing control over the entire island.

It was not until 1948 that Sri Lanka achieved independence. In 1972, this country received its modern name - Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan culture

Sri Lanka has a multi-cultural society consisting of Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Therefore, the culture there is very interesting and diverse. Travelers will be able to experience colorful and unique festivals and celebrations in Sri Lanka.

In January, Sri Lankans celebrate the New Year, Durutha Perahera (held in memory of Buddha's visit to this island), Pongal (Hindu harvest festival); in February/March - the Buddhist holiday Navam Perehera and Maha Shivarathri Day; in April/May - Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Eid ul-Adha; July/August - Kandy Perahera and Vel Festival; September – kite festival, Hindu festival Navarathri; October/November – Ramadan, Lilavali (“Festival of Lights”); December - Sangamittha Perehera.

All these festivals are colorful processions, they are always accompanied by elephant parades, music and dance performances, fireworks and theatrical performances.

Kitchen

Sri Lanka's cuisine reflects the multi-ethnic composition of the island's population. The main food of the locals is rice and curry made from a mixture of spices, herbs and coconut milk. In general, almost all local dishes are prepared using coconut milk and spices.

Samba is pearl rice and is eaten on special occasions. During festivals, yellow rice is made, cooked in coconut milk and lightly seasoned with spices. Another popular rice dish is Kiribath (milk rice).

In addition, the people of Sri Lanka are real experts in preparing fish and seafood dishes. Fried fish is served with chips and salad, while curry fish is served with rice.

Popular dishes - Mallung Curry (finely chopped dried vegetables, prawns with grated coconut and spices), Sambol (spicy hot dish), Pol Symbol (grated coconut, onion, red pepper, lime and salt), Seeni Sambol (fish with spicy onions ), Lamprais (curry, cutlet, shrimp paste, eggplant curry, rice wrapped in banana leaf and baked), Buriyani (rice in meat broth), and Thalaguli and Wattalapam sweets.

The traditional soft drink in Sri Lanka is black tea, which is most often drunk with sugar and milk. Sometimes crushed ginger is added to tea. In addition, the inhabitants of this island love coffee, fruit juices and coconut milk.

Alcoholic drinks are also made in Sri Lanka - low-alcohol toddy (from coconut palm sap) and arrack (30-40%, from coconut palm sap).

Sights of Sri Lanka

According to official data, there are several hundred Buddhist and Hindu monasteries in Sri Lanka. And if we add to this temples, palaces, mosques, cave complexes, then the number of local attractions will reach several thousand. In our opinion, the top ten best attractions in Sri Lanka may include the following:

Dalada Maligawa Buddhist Temple (Housing Buddha's Tooth)
Fort in Colombo
Sigiriya Fortress
Dawatagaha Mosque in Colombo
Cave Buddhist temple in Aluvihara
Kochchikade Hindu Monastery in Colombo
Ruins of the city of Anuradhapura
Palace of King Kassiapa on Lion Mountain
Buddhist cave temples of Dambulla
Buddha's footprints on Sri Pada mountain

Cities and resorts

The largest cities in Sri Lanka are Kandy, Tricomalee, Kurunegala, Galle, Ratnapura, Kurunegala and Colombo.

Sri Lanka has many kilometers of beautiful beaches. Many of these beaches are located in picturesque bays surrounded by palm groves.

The best beach areas are Colombo, Trincomalee, Bentota, Arugam Bay, Hikkaduwa, Kogalla, Negombo and Kalutara. Many tourists believe that the best beach in Sri Lanka is Mount Lavinia near Colombo. All local beach resorts have good recreational infrastructure. There are also excellent opportunities for surfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, swimming, diving, fishing, spearfishing and scuba diving.

Near some beach resorts (for example, Trincomalee) there are hot springs, and therefore tourists can take medicinal baths there.

Souvenirs/shopping

From Sri Lanka, tourists usually bring handicrafts, ceramics, jewelry, masks, leather goods (for example, bags), batik fabric, souvenirs made from coconut shells, spices, and, of course, local (“Ceylonese” ) Black tea.

Office hours

Sri Lanka is a luxurious pearl in the Indian Ocean. This island-state with more than 2000 years of history is considered a treasure trove of the cultural and historical heritage of mankind. In short, Sri Lanka is tea, gems, an eventful history, amazingly picturesque views, a warm ocean and friendly people.

Geographical characteristics

The island of Sri Lanka, whose outline resembles a teardrop, is located in South Asia, 800 km from the equatorial line. It is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Manara and the Bay of Bengal, and the Palk Strait. In ancient times, Sri Lanka was connected to the mainland by the Adam's Bridge shoal, but, as legends tell, in 1481 this shoal was destroyed by an earthquake.

The area of the island is 65,610 km², it stretches for 225 km in a west-east direction, and 445 km in a north-south direction.

The terrain in Sri Lanka is mostly lowland, with a mountain range in the center. The highest mountain is Pidurutalagala (2524 m), but the majestic Sri Pada, also called Adam's Peak (2243 m), is more famous. There are 2 capes on the island: from the south - Dondra, from the west - Dutch Bay.

Sri Lanka is inhabited by 21 million people. It so happens that the predominant nationalities are the Sinhalese and Tamils; burghers, Moors and Veddas (indigenous population) also live. This situation has affected the language issue of the state: the national languages are Sinhala and Tamil, but English is also often spoken.

History of the island

In the written chronicle "Mahavamsa", which from the 6th century. until 1815 was led by Buddhist monks, a detailed history of the island state is outlined.

Ancient city of Pollonaruwa

Initially, these lands were inhabited by the ancestors of the Veddas, who belonged to the Australoid-Negroid race. As indicated in the chronicle, in 504 BC. The island lands were conquered by the Indian prince Vijaya. His followers ruled Sri Lanka throughout the 6th–5th centuries. BC, and then many immigrants from India settled on its territory. Vijaya gave the island the same name as his clan - “Sinhaladvipa”. In the 18th century, under the British, this name was reborn as “Silon” (“Ceylon”).

From the end of the 3rd century. until the 13th century the island belonged to the Sinhalese kingdoms, and by the end of the 13th century. its lands to the north and east were inhabited by large communities of Tamils. In the 15th century, the island was captured by troops from China, after which small states were formed on its territory.

In the 16th century The coastal island areas were occupied by immigrants from Portugal, who built a fortress in Colombo. The influence of the Portuguese colonialists grew and intensified, and by the end of the 16th century. they controlled the main part of the island.

In the 17th century The Portuguese were replaced by colonialists from Holland: in 1638-1639 they managed to conquer the island lands almost entirely. Until 1796, the entire territory was under their control.

In 1796, almost the entire island passed to Great Britain, and in 1798 it became its colonial territory. The kingdom of Kandy remained independent, but in 1815 it was included in the colonial lands.

Only in 1948 did Sri Lanka emerge from British rule, but remained a Dominion in the United Kingdom of England and acquired the name “Ceylon”.

Since the island ceased to be a colony of Great Britain, its recent history can be roughly divided into the following periods:

1948-1972 – Dominion of Ceylon. Autonomy in the Commonwealth of Nations under the leadership of the English ruler, nationalist reforms. The formation of preconditions for the beginning of interethnic discord, anti-Tamil pogroms, the eviction of Tamils to India, the 1971 uprising.
1972-1978 - independent Republic. Closure of British military bases, nationalization of tea production.
1978-1983 – Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Increasing ethnic strife. Internal war in the state against the backdrop of the fight against the LTTE insurgents demanding autonomy and secession.
2009-2017 – recovery period. Implementation of the restoration program with the full support of other states. Peaceful change of power in 2015: former Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena won early presidential elections. Fruitful cooperation with international partners, economic growth.

Climatic conditions

The island is located in the tropical zone, therefore, the climate here is tropical - warm and with high humidity.

The air temperature is even, the difference between the warmest and coldest months is 2-3°C. The average annual temperature on the island ranges from +27°C to +32°C, with the exception of mountainous areas where temperatures up to +10°C can be observed at night from December to March.

In May - September, the coasts in the west and south are in the rainy season - they are brought by the monsoon from the southwest. From October to January the rains prevail on the northern coast, but there they are caused by the monsoon from the northeast. The rainy season is characterized by powerful and short showers (they last on average 10-15 minutes, and at night), as well as powerful winds that raise high ocean waves.

Thanks to weather conditions, you can relax on the beaches of Sri Lanka all year round, just in different areas:

in winter (October - April) - in the southwest;
in summer (March - November) - in the northeast.

As for the Indian Ocean, its waters have a temperature that ranges from +27...+29°C.

Regions and cities

The Republic of Sri Lanka consists of 9 provinces, they contain 25 districts. The official capital is considered to be Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, where the parliament and the state judicial service are located. The government administration and presidential residence are located in the nearby city of Colombo, which has been recognized as the unofficial capital.

The following cities may be of greatest interest to travelers:

Colombo. In its northern part there is the Fort tourist center - almost all hotels, shops, and restaurants are located there.

Anuradhapura is a town in the North Central Province. It is famous for its temple and monastery buildings that have survived from ancient times.

Kandy is the ancient capital of the island state, located in the Central Province. Every year in Kandy, the Esala Peraher festival takes place, when a religious relic - the tooth of Buddha - is brought out to display.

There are many good resorts on the island. But the main question for most tourists remains: “Which resort to prefer?” So:

Bentota is popular among young families, adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts. A variety of services that tourists can use are designed to suit any budget. Read .

Beruwela is suitable for vacationers who come to Sri Lanka primarily for the beaches. At the same time, there are hotels both for budget tourists and for luxury holidays.

Sri Lankan family on Wadduwa beach

Wadduwa is famous for its sandy beaches, lined with coconut trees. The tourist infrastructure here is not very developed: there are several hotels, shops, restaurants and cafes, and a diving center operates. will appeal to those who like to immerse themselves in the culture of the country of travel.

Koggala is located at a relative distance from the civilized world, which makes it attractive to travelers dreaming of a relaxing holiday. All infrastructure is present, there are even tennis courts and golf courses. Read .

Mount Lavinia is a fairly large center of trade, industry and economy. It is popular due to its extensive and well-maintained beaches.

Nuwara Eliya has the reputation of being one of the few cool oases in the hot country of South Asia with Victoria Park, Lake Gregory, a golf complex, and a racetrack. But first of all, produced in the area.

Hikkaduwa is a diving Mecca, famous for its coral reefs and numerous inhabitants of the underwater world. In addition, the tourism infrastructure is most developed here.

Tangalle is interesting for its numerous secluded bays, wide deserted beaches, and places for snorkeling. The Tangalle resort is described in more detail.

Dambulla. On this mountain (its height is 350 m) there are several cave temples, where the most extensive selection of Buddha statues is presented. Built back in the 1st century BC. - an important religious site for numerous pilgrims and an interesting site for tourists.

Anuradhapura. This city on the banks of the Aruvi River was the capital in ancient times. The “Old City” is an archaeological zone, a couple of ancient temples, bell-shaped stupas (III-I centuries BC), and an archaeological museum.

Polonnaruwa. This city-museum was once the capital, and since 1982 it has been protected by UNESCO. In this city, tourists are most attracted by the Stone Temple and 4 Buddha statues, carved from a single granite block.

Fort Galle. The fortress, which is still in good condition, was built by the Dutch. They recaptured the bastion from the Portuguese in 1640, and the credit for the foundation belongs to them.

When it comes to entertainment, there is plenty to choose from on this island. The entertainment complexes operating at most resorts offer boat rides, banana boat rides, ski rides, and parasailing.

Helicopter flights to many attractions are organized from Ratmalana Airport, and hot air balloon flights are conducted in Udawalawe Park and Mount Sigiriya.

There are many golf clubs on the island with well-equipped courses.

Nightclubs and discos open after 22.00 and remain open until the morning. There are almost 2 dozen casinos in Colombo, almost all of them operate 24 hours a day. The most famous is the Colombo-3 CONTINENTAL CLUB.

Sri Lankan cuisine

The basis of Sri Lankan cuisine is a variety of fruits and vegetables, fish and seafood, and rice. They eat very little meat here, giving preference to pork and chicken, and they don’t eat beef at all, since cows are considered sacred animals.

Like most eastern countries, food in Sri Lanka is very spicy. Curry is the name here for any dish prepared with a mixture of various spices ground into powder. The locals' excessive love for spices, especially chilli, makes all the local food fiery hot.

Coconut oil, juice, milk, shavings from the pulp of this nut, and palm nectar are added to many Sri Lankan dishes.

Food on the island is cheap: typically, lunch will cost around $2-4. In the most expensive establishments aimed at tourists, you will have to pay about $10.

Sri Lanka: the most important things about the currency

The currency of Sri Lanka is Sri Lankan rupees (LKR and Rs). There are notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000, and coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 rupees.

You are allowed to bring any amount of currency into Sri Lanka, but amounts exceeding $15,000 must be declared. When importing more than $5,000, the currency must also be declared if you plan to take it back.

It is equally convenient to take dollars and euros to Sri Lanka - there are absolutely no problems with exchange.

Where to change currency

The exchange can be carried out at bank branches, exchange offices, hotels, jewelry retail outlets - in big cities this does not arise any difficulties. In areas where tourists rarely visit, exchanging money may be difficult and should be considered before traveling to such areas.

Although “private traders” offer to exchange at a rate that compares favorably with the bank rate, it is still better to carry out such transactions in official institutions. It should be taken into account that even at exchange offices located very close by, the exchange rate can vary greatly. Therefore, it makes sense to go through several exchangers to choose the one that offers the most favorable conditions.

You can make a reverse exchange, that is, exchange the remaining rupees in exchange for dollars at the purchase rate, before departure at the airport, but only if you have a certificate of the exchange completed (official exchange offices provide it when performing a currency transaction).

What you need to know about plastic cards

Plastic cards are quite common on the island; in big cities you can use them to pay in many hotels and shops. There are ATMs in all tourist areas, and even in most remote areas.

It should be taken into account that some banks classify Sri Lanka as a high-risk country when performing transactions with plastic cards.

If you do not inform your bank in advance that the plastic card will be used in Sri Lanka, there is a high probability that it will be blocked during the first use.

Transport on the island

If you are planning a trip to Sri Lanka on your own, without the help of a tour operator, then you need to take care of the most convenient travel option.

Sri Lanka's railway system serves the main cities of the island, with the exception of cities in the north and east of the country.

The maximum fare from Colombo to any station is 300 rupees. The trains are very comfortable, and passengers can choose a carriage with any degree of comfort at their discretion.

Many routes, especially in the part where the railways pass through mountainous terrain, are very picturesque. Tourists who want to admire the local views can use special carriages with large windows.

Aircraft

The airline Aero Lanka operates flights from Colombo to the following destinations: Jaffna - in the far north of the country.

Buses

Buses on the island are inconvenient, but they are very cheap: for just a couple of dollars you can travel across the entire island. Tickets for AC class buses will cost 2 times more, but this transport is much more comfortable: air conditioning is installed and seats will be provided. There are city and private bus routes in large cities, and travel for them will cost approximately the same.

Car rental

In Sri Lanka, it is rare to rent a car, which is explained by left-hand traffic and poor compliance by drivers and pedestrians. Still, you can rent a car in Colombo:

With a driver– in this case, the driver’s services are paid. Some drivers are licensed by the state to engage in this type of activity. Many of them speak several languages and have a wide knowledge of the island.
Without driver– the average cost is 2400 rupees per day, which includes a mileage of 80 kilometers. All additional kilometers will cost 8 rupees each. A driver must be at least 21 years old to rent a car.

It is convenient to travel by taxi in Colombo and the suburban area. If payment is made by meter, then for landing and the 1st kilometer of the journey you need to pay 28-30 rupees, for each subsequent kilometer - 24-26 rupees. If the taxi does not have a meter, then you need to agree on the price before the start of the trip.

More popular for traveling around the city is the tuk-tuk - a small scooter on three wheels with a cabin. Average payment for a trip: for 1 km - 15-20 rupees.

How to get a visa to Sri Lanka

Since 2012, the Sri Lankan government has introduced new rules for foreigners visiting the state. Foreign citizens, including citizens of CIS countries, receive a visa under the same conditions.

For a short-term (up to 30 days) stay in Sri Lanka, as well as for transit travel, you need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) visa.

Means of communication

Almost all hotels have a telephone connection, but the cost of calls from the room will be high.

The two most popular mobile operators are Dialog and Mobitel, with Etisalat, HUTCH and Airtel having a much smaller market share. The first 3 listed operators offer “tourist communication packages”, which include different amounts of minutes for international and domestic calls, as well as limited Internet traffic. You can purchase Dialog and Mobitel SIM cards without leaving Colombo airport.

Wi-Fi is available in all large resorts. Hotel business centers sell cards of varying prices. Communication via a USB modem is also possible and is available in almost all parts of Sri Lanka.

Useful information for tourists about Sri Lanka, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Sri Lanka, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Sri Lanka.

Geography of Sri Lanka

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon until 1972, is an island state in South Asia.

Most of the island is occupied by a low-lying plain, “broken” by outcrops of crystalline basement in the form of rocks and mesas. The entire southern part of the island is occupied by the low stepped mountainous country of the Massif Central. The slopes are abundantly overgrown with forests and dissected by short but stormy rivers. The highest point of the island is Mount Pidurutalagala (2524 m).

State

State structure

Democratic Socialist Republic. Member of the Commonwealth. The head of state and government is the president, who has broad powers. The legislative body is a unicameral parliament (National State Assembly).

Language

Official language: Sinhala

Almost the entire population speaks English.

Religion

Buddhists - 69%, Hindus - 15%, Christians - 8%, Muslims - 8%.

Currency

International name: LKR

1 Sri Lankan rupee equals 100 cents. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1,2,5 rupees. Large hotels and shops accept international credit cards for payment. Foreign currency brought into the country must be declared.

It is recommended to exchange money at Colombo Airport. The receipt received during the official currency exchange should be kept until the end of the trip. In this case, when departing from Colombo, you have the opportunity to convert unspent money at the airport bank at the purchase rate. You can also exchange money at any hotel and bank.

History of Sri Lanka

The island of Sri Lanka was inhabited about 100 thousand years ago and constantly attracted more and more new settlers, thanks to which a significant number of representatives of the most dissimilar races, cultures and religions were concentrated on its small territory in ancient times. This enriched the island and led to constant conflicts and wars.

In the 5th century BC, Indo-Aryan conquerors created the first state here, which collapsed in the 5th century AD and was conquered by the Negroid South Indian Tamil tribes. In the 8th century, dominance again passed to the Aryan branch of the newcomers, and in the 15th century, there were three kingdoms of different ethnicities in Sri Lanka, constantly at war with each other. The Portuguese colonialists took advantage of this, establishing their dominance over the coast of the island in the 16th century; they were replaced by the Dutch in the 17th century. The British who came after them in 1796 declared the conquered region to be another royal colony - Ceylon. But they managed to conquer the island only in the first half of the 19th century.

The heavy foreign yoke, which turned the flourishing island into a raw materials appendage of the distant metropolis, forced the local population to rise to the liberation struggle more than once and suffer bitter defeats. Exploitation, which intensified in connection with the First and Second World Wars and the acute economic crisis of the 1920s and 1930s, made the national patriotic front more decisive, numerous and united.

In 1948, the British government had to grant Ceylon independence as a dominion. In 1972, under public pressure, the island was proclaimed the Republic of Sri Lanka. All forms of political dependence on England were eliminated. Now this distant piece of land in the Indian Ocean good-naturedly reveals its secrets to all lovers of ancient exoticism and shares the gentle sun and warm water.

Popular attractions

Tourism in Sri Lanka

Popular hotels

Tips

Tipping is not necessary; service fees (up to 10%) are often included in the bill. However, hotel porters and porters expect a small tip (20-30 rupees). You are also supposed to thank the waiter with a small tip, but only for good service.

Visa

Office hours

Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. Shops are open from 10.00 to 22.00.

Souvenirs

Sri Lanka is famous all over the world for its precious stones: sapphires, rubies, amethysts, garnets, topaz and especially the famous “moonstone”, which is mined only here. It is recommended to purchase jewelry in specialized stores, requiring the issuance of an appropriate receipt or export certificate. The quality of the stones here is excellent, and the prices are relatively low. Also good souvenirs would be Ceylon tea, spices, aromatic oils, handicrafts, especially masks, batik, ceramics and leather goods. In cities you can buy inexpensive, high-quality textiles.

Medicine

There is a risk of contracting malaria, Japanese encephalitis B, hepatitis B, typhoid, Bengal cholera, diphtheria, tetanus, rabies, Dengue fever, etc., but only if basic hygiene standards are not observed. Preventive vaccination against malaria (there is a risk of infection in the interior of the country) or the use of anti-malaria tablets, as well as vaccination against hepatitis A and B, is recommended.

Safety

It is not recommended to drink raw water and use ice sold on the street - it can be made from raw water. It is recommended to drink only mineral water in plastic bottles with a factory stopper, and to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly with soap. Be sure to thoroughly wash (and preferably scald) vegetables and fruits, and do not allow the seller to cut the fruits with his knife.