Sri Lanka (Ceylon): flags, capital

The official capital of the island state of Sri Lanka is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, and the country's largest city and actual capital is Colombo. The words "Sri Lanka" are traditionally translated from Sanskrit as "Blessed Land", although the more correct word is "Island" rather than "Land". The former name of Sri Lanka was Ceylon.

The modern full official name of the country is the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The official capital of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is a small town in the Colombo metropolitan area, the largest city in the country. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte houses the country's parliament, as well as various government bodies and the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. Colombo, the de facto capital of the country, is also its administrative, political and economic center.

• Serendib (pre-Sinhala era),
• Tambapanni (from the founding of the Sinhalese state until the arrival of the Portuguese in 1505),
• Ceylon (from 1505 to 1815),
• British Ceylon from 1815 to 1948 (actually from 1817, since before that time the Kingdom of Kandy existed),
• Dominion of Ceylon from 02/04/1948 to 1972 (after gaining independence from Britain, the country became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations),
• Republic of Sri Lanka from 1972 to 1978,
• Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka since 1978.

You can often come across a question about the correct placement of stress in the name of the country “Sri Lanka”: L A nka or lank A? However, based on the original name, neither of the two options will be correct. There is no emphasis in the word "Lanka", since the Sinhala language has no accent, but only long and short sounds, and in this case only short ones are used.

Flags of Ceylon and Sri Lanka

Throughout history, the colors and motifs of the flags of the island nation have changed several times. The following shows exactly how this has been expressed over the past two centuries.

History of changing flags of Sri Lanka

The modern state flag of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the result of many years of transformation of its parts and elements since the state gained independence. The following shows the symbolism of the latest modern version of the national flag of Sri Lanka.

• 1815-02/04/1948 British Ceylon

A new flag was created, based on the British flag and placed on a blue background in the upper left corner and the symbols of the country (in the understanding of the British colonialists) in the form of a satellite in the middle on the right.

• 02/04/1948-03/02/1951 Dominion of Ceylon

In 1948, after the island was liberated from colonial rule by Great Britain, the new republic adopted the official flag of the last independent Kingdom of Kandy (1469-1815). It depicts the symbol of the country - a Sinhalese lion with a raised sword in its paw and 4 decorative elements at the corners of the canvas.

• 03/02/1951-05/22/1972 Ceylon

Colored stripes have been added to the flag, occupying 1/7 of the flag's area - the colors of the country's ethno-religious minorities: Muslim Moors and Hindu Tamils.

• 1972 - present Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka

4 stylized leaves of the Bo tree (one of the symbols of Buddhism) were added to the composition at the corners of the flag, replacing the previous ornament.

Flag of the Republic of Sri Lanka: symbolism

After the flag of the Kingdom of Kandy was adopted as a basis, the changes and additions indicated above were made to it. Their appearance was primarily associated with interethnic problems in Sri Lankan society.

As a result, the interpretation of the symbolism of the national flag of Sri Lanka has been used by various political forces previously and continues to be used now in interests mainly aimed at increasing the severity of the national issue, rather than finding common ground.

The Sinhalese lion is the national symbol of Sri Lanka

After Ceylon gained independence from Britain in 1948, the question arose of creating a banner for the new republic. A special committee was created to develop the layout of the flag, which decided to return to the version of the flag of the last free Sinhalese kingdom, used during the reign of King Sri Vikrama Rajasinha: it depicted a Sinhala lion on a burgundy background.

Considering that there are no lions in Sri Lanka, the choice of symbol would seem somewhat strange. However, the fact is that the appearance of the Sinhala lion symbol dates back to the time of Prince Vijaya, who landed on the island in 543 BC. with a flag with a lion on it. According to legend, the founder of the Sinhala nation came from India, where lions were found in large numbers at that time. Thus, having appeared as the flag of Prince Vijaya, over time the Sinhalese lion became established as a symbol of royal power. For example, the lion's paws on the flag of the Kingdom of Kandy meant the stability of Sri Lanka, its steadfastness; and equal distances from the paws to the body and from the body to the top of the head symbolized the equality of the ruler and the law.

Many tourists ask where the island of Sri Lanka is located on the map, in which country. We explain that the island-country is located in the Indian Ocean, southeast of India. The island is separated from it by a strait 50 kilometers wide.

In recent years, holidays on the island have become popular. This is truly exotic for residents of northern latitudes, who have never seen much sun in their lives, and many have never been to the ocean. Therefore, the island seems to us like a lost dream.

Since the opportunity to fly back and forth has arisen, how not to take advantage. Tourists come to soak up the sun, buy strange souvenirs, and breathe in ocean air rather than sea air. They are attracted by the opportunity to see whales. The island is favorably located, local residents took advantage of this advantage and began exporting coconuts, spices, and Ceylon tea to the mainland.

Country on an island

The city-country is home to 21 million people, a significant portion of which are employed in the tourism business. To finally understand where the island is, remember your school geography course and find the island of Ceylon on the map. This is the English name for the island of Sri Lanka.

The capital is Colombo, where 700 thousand people live. The area of ​​the island is comparable to the islands of Ireland and Tasmania. The coastline stretches for almost 1300 km. Abundance of beaches overlooking the ocean. The nature of the island is remembered by tourists for a long time as unique. Imagine that after a certain number of hours you will be transported from some Kostroma to the tropics. Don’t the plateaus there and the lush woody vegetation in which the island is buried seem miraculous?

History has left its mark on him. Until the mid-19th century, it was a colony of European countries, which inevitably affected its development. The first states on the island appeared in the fifth century BC, so it has a rich history. Since the 16th century it was colonized by England, Portugal and Holland.

These predatory countries have spread their influence wherever they go, continuing to hold the whole world in their hands and decide its destinies. The modern state in Sri Lanka is called the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, which is headed by a president.

The main distinctive features that attract tourists are the combination of tea plantations - the main souvenir of tourists, rice fields, quaint hills, Buddhist temples, warm sea, precious and semi-precious stones, unusual flora and fauna, spice plantations and idyllic beaches.

Local population

The cultural center of the island is the city of Colombo. There are two main nations living here - the Sinhalese and the Tamils. Therefore, the country has two official languages: Sinhala and Tamil. And in coastal areas, people understand English, which is necessary to communicate with tourists. I wonder if anyone understands Russian or other Slavic languages?

The colonial past is reflected in the living descendants of the Portuguese and Spanish colonizers. But they make up no more than 15% of the population. I wonder how the indigenous population feels about them? Doesn’t he take revenge for the past, doesn’t he consider them outcasts? Or maybe, on the contrary, they retained their leading positions in management and business. And they continue to live happily and exploit the local population. In general, all this is interesting, and for real tourists it is an unexplored niche that they will definitely want to explore.

Sri Lanka is a developing country with the majority of its population engaged in agriculture. They cultivate tea plantations, fish, extract rubber, collect precious stones, collect coconuts, grow spices, mine precious metals and develop the textile industry.

In recent years, the tourism sector has been developing rapidly. More and more people want to fly here from different parts of the world. And residents of the northern hemisphere strive to spend six months, leaving winter for warm summers on the ocean shore. What may seem interesting is that all four world religions are recognized and practiced here: Islam, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity.

Relax and enjoy!

The island has a favorable atmosphere for relaxation! Unlike the northern latitudes, the climate is exactly the opposite. In our summer it is stormy, but the rest of the year you can easily enjoy the light breeze.

The humidity here is truly high, and overly susceptible travelers and people with chronic illnesses will need acclimatization. If you study the climatic features of the coast well, you can stay where it is most favorable.

For example, the coast washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal resembles the sea. Lazy waves slowly roll onto the sand and run back into the sea. If you want to watch the ever-roaring surf, you can go to the ocean coast, it occupies almost the entire rest of the island.

Gifts and souvenirs

Many tourists wonder what is best to bring from Sri Lanka. Of course, this is not an idle question for those who have climbed to the ends of the earth. Ceylon is famous for its excellent tea, plantations of which are everywhere. But it is impossible to try all growing varieties. Tourists are also attracted by products made of precious and semi-precious stones.

It's worth thinking carefully about gold and silver. These metals are exported; no one can vouch for the quality of the metal. Here you can buy real spices and even see how they grow. These are, of course, not tea plantations, but the vegetation is quite unusual for the usual latitudes.

The stores sell countless amounts of jewelry for every taste and budget. The main thing is to be able to choose them. Among the traditional local goods for which the island is famous is Indian cotton. It is particularly soft, as are products made from it. Therefore, Indian cotton is valued an order of magnitude higher than any other, feel free to buy it and take it home - you won’t go wrong, everyone will be happy.

In addition, tourists in any country are attracted by national dishes and exotic fruits, which can be purchased everywhere, both fresh and dried. Stock up on natural essential oils for memories and for gifts and souvenirs, which are specially produced for tourists and thus are distributed throughout the world. However, be careful with the seeds. It is strictly prohibited to import seeds and plants into Russia that have not passed phytosanitary control.

Where to stay?

The World Wide Web has a fairly colorful and detailed description of each of the famous resorts in Sri Lanka. Here, as they say, there is something for every taste and budget. The cultural capital of Colombo is also famous for its popularity and is presented to tourists as a city of contrasts. Here, along with fashionable buildings, shacks of the poor live. Eternal idleness and eternal hunger coexist side by side.

This can be observed in any large eastern city. That's how life works. In the south of the island stretches the beautiful Mirissa beach. This is a sandy beach, a secluded place, suitable for a romantic getaway. There are no usual and noisy tourist attractions here. That's why he's good. It was chosen by beginner surfers riding the waves. And having learned, they move to more lush places between the rocks.

What to eat?

As for national cuisine, you will definitely try it, but it is better to do it in small restaurants that are frequented by locals. In hotels, tourists are served quite European dishes and Europeanized national dishes, not as spicy as they are used to here.

Curry is considered a spice for all times. Locals prefer vegetarian food, the main ingredient of which is rice. The local cuisine has Indian national roots and is therefore similar to the national dishes of India.

wild nature

The flora and fauna on the island will amaze you as much as anything else. Here you can find relict animals that are no longer found anywhere else on the globe. The same applies to equatorial forests on mountain slopes. They contain such rare species of trees that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Naturally, these animals, plants and birds are very few in number and are on the verge of extinction. The tourism business for them is a kind of stress and an additional threat to life.

Fraudsters are everywhere

A separate warning to tourists is to beware of scammers. They lie in wait everywhere, in cafes, restaurants, transport; traders at the bazaar will first of all charge you a price for an item that you do not give. You can always bargain, especially since this is encouraged in the country.

It’s the same with drivers, they will never name the real cost of the trip, and after looking at the tourist, they will definitely try to charge him more. There is nothing personal about this - just business.

Let's go to Sri Lanka!

So, you have decided to visit Sri Lanka. You can buy a two-week tour for two, or go on a trip on your own. It is worth taking care of an electronic visa, air tickets, and medical insurance necessary for tourists traveling abroad. Book a hotel, order a transfer, provide guides, or plan your own route for future excursions. Or maybe you just like to lie on the beach most of the time and wander around the area or sightsee in the evening.

Many people wonder whether family holidays are possible in Sri Lanka? It is possible, but you need to take into account that children find it difficult to endure such long flights. And most importantly, a long acclimatization awaits them on the island, which is unpleasant. Sri Lanka is a kingdom of the tropics, a riot of colors and vegetation. Among the animals that can attract tourists are monkeys, Asian elephants, and palm squirrels.

Climate zones

Since the island is long, natural areas replace each other. Mountains occupy a significant part of the island and rise to a height of up to 2500 meters. The famous tea plantations are located here. But there are also local attractions that tourists consider it a duty to visit. For example, the giant Bambarakanda waterfall.

The second climatic zone on the island is the tropical regions. And the third, most noteworthy for tourists, is the coastal zone with beautiful equipped beaches. This island does not know snow, it does not even fall in the mountains, where the temperature drops to a maximum of 12 degrees Celsius. And with appropriate humidity, this invigorating effect is pleasant and easily tolerated.

The island where dreams come true

The island of Sri Lanka on the map and in life is an exotic place. Arriving there, you find yourself in a kind of paradise, with outlandish coconut palms, smelling of the sea breeze and leaving vivid memories of your vacation on this wonderful island.

Those who like to travel thoroughly can prepare in advance and see the island on a world map in Russian or an interactive map on the Internet with the names of various objects of the island in Russian. It is small in size, you can travel far and wide and learn everything about the life of the local natives, who willingly find a common language with tourists.

How much does a vacation cost?

It is estimated that a flight from Moscow to Sri Lanka will cost less than, say, from St. Petersburg. From other cities it is more expensive, the airlines have their own problems, which a mere mortal is not destined to understand. Prices for tours are not constant and change throughout the year. It is possible to track and buy a trip for two for quite reasonable money.

How long is the flight?

Question: how long does it take to fly, it is known that Aeroflot arrives in 8 hours 35 minutes. In which plane to do this is up to you

Why do you need Sri Lanka?

In general, a holiday in Sri Lanka is recommended for those who are tired of the standard Turkey and Egypt, who want real exoticism, to see live Indian elephants, not just alive, but living in nature, in the wild, or serving as pets to local residents. Isn’t this real exoticism, worthy of diversifying the leisure time of a successful person who can afford to get to know his native planet closely, love it more and take care of it?

The island of Sri Lanka is rich in first-class beaches, modern hotels and a host of ancient attractions. Entertainment is entirely quiet and peaceful: picnics, fishing and diving. The capital Colombo, waterfalls and national parks - all about Sri Lanka: tours, reviews, weather, prices.

• Last minute tours Worldwide

The style of holiday in Sri Lanka can be briefly defined as follows: away from the hustle and bustle, closer to the sea and nature. There is hardly a more “leisurely” country in the world than Sri Lanka: here no one is in a hurry, everyone enjoys life - including the service staff in hotels (however, this does not apply to the top establishments - everyone there runs around in soap, to please the guests). Most of the attractions in Sri Lanka are natural, just like most of the activities. Noisy discos and smoke swirling until the morning are not in favor here, but picnics in nature, fishing or barbecues on the beach - as much as you like. Well, diving, of course. What Sri Lanka cannot please is its proximity to our vastness: the flight here is long.

In general, it’s very easy to identify a person who will definitely like it here. Firstly, there are few blank pages left in his not the first international passport. Secondly, he is either interested in world culture and history (and ancient Sri Lanka is very rich in interesting monuments), or he is a desperate sea daredevil who wants, in addition to palm trees, sand and the sea, to have a diving center and Surfer headquarters. Thirdly, he will certainly glance sideways at your fragrant cup of tea. After all, Ceylon, also known as Sri Lanka, supplies a quarter of the world with this drink.

Regions and resorts of Sri Lanka

Money

The country's currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR), 1 rupee is divided into 100 cents. Current rate: 1 LKR = 0.34 RUB (1 USD = 181.24 LKR, 1 EUR = 201.01 LKR).

It is better to exchange currency at Colombo airport. It makes sense to keep the receipt received until the end of the trip: in this case, upon departure, you can convert back unspent local money at the airport bank at the purchase rate. In addition, currency can be changed at any hotel and bank. The latter are open from 9:00 to 15:00 from Monday to Friday. For exchange, we recommend taking US dollars with you: they are accepted in all branches, and in tourist areas you can pay with them directly at hotels and various retail outlets.

In large hotels and shops you can pay with credit cards, and there are ATMs in almost all cities of the country. However, it is better to warn your bank staff in advance about your upcoming visit to Sri Lanka: due to the critical level of financial fraud on the island, your credit card may be blocked at the first attempt to use it.

Hotels in Sri Lanka

Police: 133, ambulance: 144, fire service: 122.

The best photos of Sri Lanka

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Mira, it’s worth starting with the search for India. This state is located in Asia, the peninsula where it is located has the outline of an isosceles triangle, one of the vertices of which points strictly to the south. Sri Lanka is located in close proximity to India at a distance of approximately 100 km to the southeast. It is not difficult to find; it is the only large island in the Indian Ocean. On a larger scale, you can see that there is a sandbank between Sri Lanka and the Hindustan Peninsula - until the 15th century, these two geographical objects were connected, but after a series of earthquakes the isthmus was destroyed and went under water. The name of the state is derived from two words in Hindi: “shri” - glorious and “” - earth. However, the older generation knows the island as Ceylon - that’s how it was until 1972.

The sandbar in the Palk Strait, which previously connected Hindustan with the island of Sri Lanka, is called Adam's Bridge.

State of Sri Lanka

The entire area of ​​Sri Lanka is occupied by the state of the same name, although many mistakenly classify the island as an Indian state. The official capital is a city with the difficult-to-pronounce name of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, however, the unofficial economic and cultural center of the country is Colombo. The development of Sri Lanka was significantly influenced by the Portuguese, who were the first to colonize the island, and the British, because it was under the protectorate of Britain for about a century and a half. Most of the residents are employed in agriculture - world-famous tea is grown here. Tourism is also an important industry; in recent years people have come here not just on vacation, but for the entire winter season; among vacationers there are many open professions that allow them to work remotely.

It is interesting that tea grown on the island is still called Ceylon; the name “Sri Lankan” has not taken root.

How to get to Sri Lanka

There are direct flights from Moscow to Colombo, but they do not operate every day. If you need to get to Sri Lanka at a different time, you will have to plan a transfer to Abu Dhabi (Saudi Arabia), Dubai (UAE), Koch (Qatar) or Istanbul (Turkey). Travel time ranges from eight hours depending on the duration of the connection. Before traveling to Sri Lanka, you must obtain an entry visa.

However, you can find the right hotel in Sri Lanka quite easily for you using our simple criteria. In this article we will try to help you choose a hotel in Sri Lanka that you will like.

- these are the best places for tourists where you can have a good rest and spend time on a beautiful beach, as well as stop while traveling around this country on your own. And although most tourists choose resort hotels located on the western and southern coasts of the island of Ceylon for their holidays, many more good hotels in Sri Lanka are located in all tourist places, including in the mountainous part in the middle of the island. However, we recommend booking only the best and most trusted hotels, regardless of whether you are visiting Sri Lanka for just a few days or a week or two.

In general, all hotels in Sri Lanka belong to one of three types:

1. Hotels of the colonial era, you can feel the atmosphere of that time - Cinnamon Lodge
2. Modern 3, 4 and 5 star hotels on the beaches and in the most picturesque places of the island - CoCo Bay
3. Inexpensive guest houses (guesthouses - Flamingo) and cheap hotels (usually without stars - Basecamp)

It is important to know:

• There is no uniform classification of hotels in Sri Lanka, as in many other Asian countries.
• The number of stars is indicated very arbitrarily, and usually they do not quite correspond to the usual standards of a high level of comfort and service (such as, for example).
• However, during the high tourist season, it is best to choose five-star hotels for a holiday in Sri Lanka, or at least “four” hotels with a high rating on Booking and good reviews.
• Usually they are not as expensive as at other seaside resorts in the world. You can simply look at the suitable options for your dates using the link →

One of the best all-inclusive hotels in Sri Lanka with its own beach - Hikka Tranz Cinnamon 4* in Hikkaduwa

Food in hotels in Sri Lanka

Concerning food in hotels in Sri Lanka, then usually the price of a hotel reservation includes only breakfast (BB), but sometimes when choosing a room via the Internet you can also choose half board (breakfast + dinner, HB) or full board (three meals a day, FB). These options are not much more expensive than the basic one. There are also several good hotels in Sri Lanka that offer an all-inclusive option (unlimited food + alcohol, ALL). I will definitely tell you about them below.

Sri Lanka hotels for young people

For an active holiday in Sri Lanka, it is better to choose a hotel near the diving center and surfing spots on the southern beaches of Weligama, Matara and for kitesurfing on the west coast in Kalpitiya. Also important is the presence of a water sports center (where you can rent a scooter or go water skiing), a swimming pool, a sandy beach and sports fields (for example, for playing volleyball).

• A small hotel with cozy bungalows, a beach, wonderful service - Eraeliya Villas & Gardens 4*
• Youth hotel with vegetarian breakfast, yoga and fast Wi-Fi Internet - Basecamp
• Hotel in Matara for a relaxing holiday and surfing - Surf Lanka Hotel 3*
• The cheapest accommodation on Kalpitiya beach, youth hangout - Scoop Cabana Kitesurfing

Concept hotels

Some hotels in Sri Lanka are built in the colonial style in very picturesque places, with beautiful green areas and buildings with architecture typical of the period of English influence. Unlike modern hotels, here you can still feel the spirit of this country of the last century. The interiors of the rooms are quite interesting; the predominant color of the walls is white, against which ebony wood stands out.

• One of the best 5* spa hotels in nature, with colonial architecture, is located on a lake in the Cultural Triangle area next to Mount Sigiriya - Cinnamon Lodge Habarana

There are also several specialized hotels in Sri Lanka offering procedures for restoring health according to the Ayurveda system.

• One of them is located in nature, very close to Sigiriya - Isiwara Paura Aurveda Lodge

There are also quite interesting hotels with an eco-concept in Sri Lanka. Their activities are based on a careful approach to natural resources, and they are located right in the middle of nature. Right from your room window you can watch rice growing, herons catching frogs and crocodiles basking in the sun.

• For example, inexpensive wooden bungalows on stilts in Chisamaharama - Lake view Tree House

Do you want to come on holiday to Sri Lanka and not have to worry about anything? Nothing could be easier! Choose an all-inclusive hotel where, in addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, you will have unlimited access to alcoholic drinks in the bar and restaurants.

Recommendation: Is it worth taking all-inclusive tours to Sri Lanka? It all depends on the place where you are going to go. For those who don’t want to waste time on vacation and worry about additional expenses, yes rather than no. This only applies to the best 5-star hotels, where they serve amazing dishes on the buffet. But in hotels 4* and below, most likely there will be food that is fairly standard for all hotels without seafood. And then it is better to take meals on a breakfast or half board basis, and go to cafes and restaurants located nearby during the day and evening.

Colombo Hotels

It is believed that there is not much to do in Colombo, but this is far from true. For example, you can go shopping there and buy a lot of quality clothes, or see the city center and other attractions, book a tour and go to local restaurants, devoting a whole day or even two days to this.

• Ideal clean new hotel in the historical center - Fairway Colombo 4*
• Conveniently located, fresh hotel for those who need something cheaper -City Beds The Regent

And for the most sophisticated travelers who, after exploring the city, leave by train from Colombo to the southern resorts, the stunning new Movenpick Hotel 5*

Hotels near the airport

Sometimes the distance from the hotel to the airport and the organization of transfer upon arrival are very important. The closer the hotel is to the airport, the faster you will be in your room after arrival and can go to the beach.

• The closest resorts in Sri Lanka to the airport are Negombo, Kalutara, Beruwela and Bentota. All of them are located on west coast countries. It’s worth going here in winter and early spring, when there is little rain and it’s sunny, the waves are calm and the ocean is clean.
• Hikkaduwa, Galle, Weligama, Mirissa, Matara, Unawatuna, Tangale and Hambantota are located on the south coast of Sri Lanka and it takes much longer to get to them from the airport. The tourist season lasts from November to April.
• well and on the east coast There are the famous beach resorts of Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Batticoloa, Arugam Bay and Pothuvil, which are not at all a short distance to get to, and it is better to get a good night's sleep before the journey. These resorts are not as crowded as in the west of Ceylon, and the tourist season lasts from May to September.

It is very important not to get lost at the Sri Lanka airport and get to your holiday destination safely. Many large hotels offer to arrange a meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel. You will be greeted with a sign at the exit from the arrivals hall and transported without any problems by car or comfortable bus. You don't have to worry about anything, and the additional payment for a transfer is usually quite small, but it is very convenient.

Hotel near the airport of Sri Lanka – Airport Garden by Taj 5*

Helpful advice: If you arrive in Sri Lanka late or have an early flight, it is better to spend the night quietly in a hotel near Colombo airport.

• The best 5* hotel near the airport, with breakfast, spa and swimming pool - Airport Garden
• Inexpensive hotel two minutes from the airport with transfer and breakfast - Igloo Airport Villa
• New wonderful 3* hotel 6 km from the airport with clean rooms, transfer - Rohini Residence