Sri Lankans speak mainly Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Important religions include Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean, just north of the equator. As for who Sri Lankans are, we are a friendly bunch of people that Choose their hospitality and food seriously. With our Sri Lanka travel guide, you are able to travel to some corner of the island and also have folks warmly welcome you into their homes and offering one of the best of what they own as a meal.
The Attractiveness of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has gained immense popularity through a number of the best journalists and travel writers in tourism generating markets that have visited Sri Lanka with the dawning of peace after the war in 2009.
Every important journalist who visited here has been amazed and surprised of their opportunities to explore and experience from this tropical island great heritage and ancient cities many of them listed in the UNESCO Heritage sites, miles of blossoms, gifted natural surroundings and landscapes with over 23 wildlife national parks considering Sri Lanka only next to Africa for spotting animals in the wild, different communities and their religious and cultural practices, their beliefs & rituals, the spices which were famous for several years like cinnamon, cloves, cardamoms, vanilla, pepper -- ingredients which make the unique Sri Lankan curries, its exceptionally friendly folks and the long beaches in this island have excited all who've visited and returned.
What are the major things to see in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is a tropical island, but this tag hides the diversity of terrain and attractions spread across the country. You will find the central mountains, as an instance, which reach altitudes of over 2000 meters. There are four distinct climate zones (the wet, intermediate, arid and arid zones) with differences in fauna, flora and weather patterns. Sri Lanka has a tropical monsoonal climate.
Famous beaches in Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka is famous for its shores. The best beaches are located in the Eastern and Southern provinces, although the North and North Western provinces also have their fair share of those.
• Negombo (Western Province)
• Wadduwa (Western Province)
• Nilaveli (Eastern Province)
• Kalpitiya (North Western Province)
• Hikkaduwa (Southern Province)
• Casuarina (Northern Province)
• Mirissa (South Province)
• Bentota (Western Province)
• Marble Beach (Eastern Province) •
Arugam Bay/Whiskey Point (Eastern Province)
• Pasikuda/Kalkuda (Eastern Province)
The Mountains:
Sri Lanka includes a mass of mountains in its interior which have an abundance of waterfalls, tea plantations, hiking trails, nature reserves and amazing views. Some destinations are:
• Nuwara Eliya (Central Province)
• Ella (Uva Province)
• Bandarawela (Uva Province)
• Haputale (Uva Province)
• Horton Plains and World’s End (Central Province)
• Knuckles Range (Central Province)
• Hatton / Adam’s Peak (Central/Sabaragamuwa Provinces)
The Wilderness:
Spread throughout (largely) the dry zone of Sri Lanka are some world-class National Parks, with wildlife such as elephants, leopards, sloth bears, deer, and buffaloes. They include:
• Yala (Southern/Eastern/Uva Provinces)
• Wilpattu (Northern/North Western/North Central Provinces)
• Minneriya (North Central Province)
• Wasgamuwa (North Central/Central Provinces)
• Uda Walawe (Sabaragamuwa/Uva Provinces)
Offshore, there are coral reefs in Hikkaduwa and the east, in addition to whale/dolphin watching in Mirissa, Kalpitiya, and Trincomalee.
The Historical:
Civilization in Sri Lanka dates back thousands of years, and Sri Lanka is dotted with ruins from that era.
• Anuradhapura (North Central Province)
• Polonnaruwa (North Central Province)
• Sigiriya (North Central Province)
• Kandy (Central Province)
• Tissamaharama (Southern Province)
• Yapahuwa (North Western Province)
• Kotte (Western Province)
Major Religious/Cultural Events:
Sri Lanka is a deeply religious country. Festivals of a religious character include Vesak, all complete moon Poya days, Ramadan, Deepavali and Maha Shivaratri, Christmas and Easter. What's more, there are cultural festivals including the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April. Food is an integral component of all celebrations and the diversity of food is directly proportional to the abundance of cultures that coexist with this island. A list of events and holidays in Sri Lanka:
• Independence Day (February 4, Sri Lanka gained independence from the UK)
• Maha Shivarathri (February/March, celebrates the god Shiva)
• Sinhala/Hindu New Year (April, harvest festival and solar new year)
• Easter (March/April, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus)
• Vesak (May, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha)
• Posion (June, celebrated as the day Sri Lanka received Buddhism)
• Esala Perahera, Kandy (August, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic festivals)
• Kataragama Festival, Southern Sri Lanka (July/August, in honors of the god Skanda)
• Nallur Festival, Jaffna (August/September, reported to be the longest festival in Sri Lanka)
• Ramadan (The timing changes yearly according to the lunar calendar, Islamic period of fasting and charity)
• Deepavali (October/November, Hindu festival of light)
• Christmas (December 25, celebrates the birth of Jesus).
• Maha Shivarathri (February/March, celebrates the god Shiva)
• Sinhala/Hindu New Year (April, harvest festival and solar new year)
• Easter (March/April, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus)
• Vesak (May, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha)
• Posion (June, celebrated as the day Sri Lanka received Buddhism)
• Esala Perahera, Kandy (August, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic festivals)
• Kataragama Festival, Southern Sri Lanka (July/August, in honors of the god Skanda)
• Nallur Festival, Jaffna (August/September, reported to be the longest festival in Sri Lanka)
• Ramadan (The timing changes yearly according to the lunar calendar, Islamic period of fasting and charity)
• Deepavali (October/November, Hindu festival of light)
• Christmas (December 25, celebrates the birth of Jesus).

