SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is located in the Indian Ocean, southeast of India and has over 22 million inhabitants. Languages include Sinhala, Tamil and English. English is not spoken everywhere. 70% of the population is Buddhist, 15% is Hindu, 8% Christian and 6% Muslim.Sri Lanka has a written history of over 2,500 years. In the Ramayana, Lanka is the land of King Ravana. In the 16th and 17th centuries the island was conquered by the Portuguese and the Dutch and in 1796 by the English, who established a colony in 1802. In 1848 the country became independent under the name Ceylon and since 1972 it has been known as Sri Lanka.
The climate is tropical with a great deal of rainfall and 2 monsoon seasons. In the hills the temperature can reach 5°-20°C and in the lowlands 30°-35°C. Tourism is concentrated on the south coast. The north is less frequently visited by tourists. Colombo is a port city and the most important trading town. On Galle Road there are westernised, luxury hotels and restaurants. The Galle Face Beach is a promenade with a viewing terrace on the sea and beach. Gangaramaya Temple is an impressive 19th century Buddhist temple. Colombo National Museum of Natural History has information on native animals, plants, fossils and rocks. The Dutch Museum is a restored building from the period of the Dutch occupation of 1656 -1796 which exhibits Dutch-style furniture, pottery, coins and weapons. New Kathuresan Kovil is a Hindu temple.
Jaffna is a port city and the capital of northern Sri Lanka. The Kandaswany Hindu temple and a 17th century fort that were built by the Dutch are worth a visit.
In Anuradhapura, you will find the ruins of the ancient capital. Polonnaruwa is an ancient royal city overgrown by jungle.
At Tricomalee, on the east coast, there are beaches and hot springs.
Kandu is a place of pilgrimage with a Buddhist temple where a tooth of the Buddha is kept. Three times a day it can be visited and flower offerings are made.
Nuwara Eliya has a cool climate, lies in the tea plantation hills and is also called “Little England“.
Galle is an old city that has been partially restored. There is also a Dutch fort which is not far from various beaches and resorts.
In Negombio, the colonial heritage of Portuguese and Dutch people is preserved.
Ahangama is located on the south coast, and is home to beaches and good surf spots. Other famous beach resorts are Mirissa, Dikwella, Tangalle and Weligama. Balapitiya is located on the southwest coast, near beaches and wetlands. Bentota is a beach resort with luxury hotels and a sea turtle farm.
Some of the national parks include Hortons Plains National Park, Wilpatta National Park on the west coast, known for lakes and wildlife, and Yala National Park, where elephants can be seen during a wildlife safari.
Gastronomy: the day to day diet includes rice with (many different types of) curry. People usually eat with the fingertips of the right hand but you can ask for cutlery. Thambili is coconut water and a lot of tea (plain or milk tea) is consumeed.
Want to see where the best tea comes from? Ceylon awaits!
$1310,-
| Capital | Sri Jayewardenapura Kotte |
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Population |
20.277.597 |
| Language | Sinhala and Tamil |
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Currency |
Sri Lankan Rupees |
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Visa required
|
www.visum.nl |
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Vaccination(s)
|
yes |
| Voltage | 230 V |
| Traffic | Left-hand traffic |
