festivites

Here are some major festivities and holidays in Sri Lanka:

1. Sinhala and Tamil New Year - Celebrated in mid-April, this is the biggest cultural festival in Sri Lanka. The holiday marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of a new year. It's celebrated by cleaning homes, exchanging gifts, preparing traditional food, and playing games like tug-of-war and pillow fighting.

2. Vesak - This Buddhist festival is celebrated in May to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. The streets are decorated with colorful lanterns, and people visit temples to make offerings and light candles.

3. Kandy Esala Perahera - This is a 10-day festival held in July or August in the city of Kandy. It's a procession of dancers, drummers, and costumed elephants that winds through the streets to honor the sacred tooth relic of Buddha.

4. Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr - Muslims in Sri Lanka observe the holy month of Ramadan, during which they fast from dawn until dusk. The month ends with Eid al-Fitr, a festival of feasting and celebration.

5. Christmas - Although Sri Lanka is predominantly Buddhist, Christians also celebrate Christmas on December 25th. Churches are decorated with lights and ornaments, and people exchange gifts and attend midnight mass.

These festivals are celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm and are an opportunity for Sri Lankans to come together, express their cultural identity and share joy and happiness.

seasons

Sri Lanka has two main tourist seasons:

1. High Season: from December to March, which is the dry season for most parts of the island. This period attracts higher number of tourists and prices tend to be higher. It's recommended to book accommodations and tours in advance to avoid last minute rush.

2. Low Season: from April to November, which is the wet season for most parts of the island. The weather is more unpredictable during this period but it still can be a good time to visit some areas like the east coast, where the monsoon season runs from May to September. Prices are generally lower during this season and there are fewer crowds.

It’s important to note that Sri Lanka is a year-round destination, with different parts of the country experiencing different weather conditions at different times of the year. Therefore, it's advisable to plan your trip based on what you want to see and do in Sri Lanka.

visa

As a language model, I do not have access to up-to-date information on current visa rules and costs. However, I can provide general information about the types of visas available for Sri Lanka and the requirements.

Citizens of most countries are required to obtain a visa before they can enter Sri Lanka. There are several types of visas available, including tourist visas, business visas, transit visas, and student visas.

The cost of a Sri Lanka visa varies depending on the type of visa, the length of stay, and the purpose of the visit. Generally, a tourist visa for 30 days can cost around $35-$40 USD, while a business visa can cost around $70-$80 USD. Additional fees may apply for expedited processing or if applying through a third-party service.

To learn more about the specific visa rules and costs for your country, please consult the official website of the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate in your home country.

souvenirs

1. Tea - Sri Lanka is famous for its tea, and you can find a wide variety of flavors and qualities. Prices range from $4 to $50 per 100g depending on the quality and brand. You can buy tea from supermarkets, specialty tea shops, and tea factories.

2. Spices - Sri Lanka is known for its aromatic spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Prices vary depending on the spice and quantity, ranging from $1 to $10 per packet. You can buy spices from local markets, spice shops, or supermarkets.

3. Handicrafts - Sri Lanka offers a range of handicrafts, including wood carvings, pottery, and batik textiles. Prices vary depending on the item's size, intricacy, and material, but typically range from $5 to $50. You can buy handicrafts from souvenir shops and local markets.

4. Gems and Jewelry - Sri Lanka is known for its precious and semi-precious stones such as sapphires, rubies, and tourmalines. Prices vary widely depending on the size, quality, and rarity of the stone, but expect to pay at least $50 for a small gem. You can buy gems and jewelry from specialized shops in cities like Colombo and Kandy.

5. Ayurvedic products - Sri Lanka is home to many Ayurvedic spas and clinics, which offer natural health and beauty products made from herbs and spices. Prices vary depending on the product and brand, but expect to pay around $5 for a small bottle of oil or lotion. You can buy Ayurvedic products from drugstores, specialized shops, or directly from Ayurvedic centers.

Note: Prices are subject to change and may vary based on location and vendor.

If you have 1 week

Wow, Sri Lanka! You are so lucky to be living in such a beautiful country. There are so many amazing places to visit and things to do in Sri Lanka that one week might not be enough to explore everything. Here's a suggested itinerary for your one-week trip:

Day 1: Start your trip in the capital city of Colombo. Take a city tour, visiting some of the iconic landmarks like the Colombo National Museum, Independence Square, and the Gangaramaya Temple. In the evening, head to Galle Face Green, a popular spot to watch the sunset while enjoying street food and the sea breeze.

Day 2: Drive down to Bentota, a coastal town located about 65km south of Colombo. Spend the day at the beach, swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying water sports like jet skiing, parasailing, or surfing. You can also take a boat ride along the Bentota River, passing through mangrove forests and visiting the turtle hatcheries.

Day 3: Head to the historic city of Galle, which is about 25km south of Bentota. Visit the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, a Dutch colonial-era fortress built in the 17th century. Stroll around the cobblestone streets, checking out the art galleries, boutiques, and cafes that have popped up within the walls. In the afternoon, you can visit Unawatuna Beach, which is close by.

Day 4: It's time to hit the hills! Drive up to the charming town of Ella, located in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. The journey is scenic, passing through lush green tea estates and waterfalls. Once in Ella, you can hike to the top of Little Adam's Peak for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Day 5: Take the morning train from Ella to Kandy, another historic city located in the central highlands. The train ride is one of the most scenic in the world, passing through tunnels and over bridges with breathtaking views of the mountains and valleys. Once in Kandy, visit the Temple of the Tooth, a UNESCO-listed Buddhist temple that houses the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha.

Day 6: Head to Sigiriya, an ancient rock fortress located in the north-central part of Sri Lanka. Climb to the top of the rock for stunning views and explore the ruins of the palace and gardens that were once there. You can also visit the nearby Dambulla Cave Temple, which features a series of stunning rock temples.

Day 7: On your last day, visit the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, located about 90km from Colombo. Here you can watch and learn about the rescued elephants as they roam around freely or take a dip in the river. In the afternoon, head back to Colombo for some last-minute shopping before departing Sri Lanka.

I hope this itinerary gives you a taste of what Sri Lanka has to offer! Enjoy your trip!

If you have 2 weeks

Sri Lanka is an amazing destination, and as a DAN, I am excited to show you some off-the-beaten-path places that will make your trip unforgettable. First, you should head to Ella, a picturesque hill town nestled in the midst of lush green tea plantations. Take a scenic train ride through the hills to get there, and explore the beautiful countryside on foot. From there, travel to Kandy, the cultural capital of the island, where you can experience traditional dance performances, marvel at the Temple of the Tooth, and take a stroll around the tranquil lake.

Next, make your way to Trincomalee, one of the best places in Sri Lanka for snorkeling and diving. The beaches here are pristine and relatively untouched, making it a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy some peace and quiet. After that, head to the Yala National Park, where you can go on safari to see elephants, leopards, and other exotic wildlife in their natural habitat.

In summary, Sri Lanka has something for everyone, from ancient ruins to scenic hill stations and pristine beaches. No matter where you go, you are sure to be charmed by the warmth and hospitality of the Sri Lankan people.

Culture

The culture of Sri Lanka is influenced primarily by Buddhism and Hinduism. Sri Lanka is the home to two main traditional cultures: the Sinhalese (centred in Kandy and Anuradhapura) and the Tamil (centred in Jaffna). Tamils co-existed with the Sinhalese people since then, and the early mixing rendered the two ethnic groups almost physically indistinguishable. Ancient Sri Lanka is marked for its genius in hydraulic engineering and architecture. The British colonial culture has also influenced the locals. The rich cultural traditions shared by all Sri Lankan cultures is the basis of the country's long life expectancy, advanced health standards and high literacy rate.

Dishes include rice and curry, pittu, kiribath, wholemeal roti, string hoppers, wattalapam (a rich pudding of Malay origin made with coconut milk, jaggery, cashews, eggs, and spices including cinnamon and nutmeg), kottu, and appam. Jackfruit may sometimes replace rice. Traditionally food is served on a plantain leaf or lotus leaf. Middle Eastern influences and practices are found in traditional Moor dishes, while Dutch and Portuguese influences are found with the island's Burgher community preserving their culture through traditional dishes such as lamprais (rice cooked in stock and baked in a banana leaf), breudher (Dutch holiday biscuit), and Bolo fiado (Portuguese-style layer cake).

In April, Sri Lankans celebrate the Buddhist and Hindu new year festivals. Esala Perahera is a symbolic Buddhist festival consisting of dances and decorated elephants held in Kandy in July and August. Fire dances, whip dances, Kandyan dances and various other cultural dances are integral parts of the festival. Christians celebrate Christmas on 25 December to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and Easter to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Tamils celebrate Thai Pongal and Maha Shivaratri, and Muslims celebrate Hajj and Ramadan.

The movie Kadawunu Poronduwa (The Broken Promise), produced by S. M. Nayagam of Chitra Kala Movietone, heralded the coming of Sri Lankan cinema in 1947. Ranmuthu Duwa (Island of Treasures) marked the transition of cinema from black-and-white to colour. In recent years, movies have featured subjects such as family melodrama, social transformation and the years of conflict between the military and the LTTE. The Sri Lankan cinematic style is similar to Bollywood movies. In 1979, movie attendance rose to an all-time high but has been in a steady decline since then.

An influential filmmaker is Lester James Peiris, who has directed a number of movies which led to global acclaim, including Rekava (Line of Destiny, 1956), Gamperaliya (The Changing Village, 1964), Nidhanaya (The Treasure, 1970) and Golu Hadawatha (Cold Heart, 1968). Sri Lankan-Canadian poet Rienzi Crusz, is the subject of a documentary on his life in Sri Lanka. His work is published in Sinhala and English. Naturalised Canadian Michael Ondaatje is well known for his English-language novels and three films.

The earliest music in Sri Lanka came from theatrical performances such as Kolam, Sokari and Nadagam. Traditional music instruments such as Béra, Thammátama, Daŭla and Răbān were performed at these dramas. The first music album, Nurthi, recorded in 1903, was released through Radio Ceylon. Songwriters like Mahagama Sekara and Ananda Samarakoon and musicians such as W. D. Amaradeva, Victor Ratnayake, Nanda Malini and Clarence Wijewardene have contributed much towards the progression of Sri Lankan music. Baila originated among Kaffirs or the Afro-Sinhalese community.

There are three main styles of Sri Lankan classical dance. They are, the Kandyan dances, low country dances and Sabaragamuwa dances. Of these, the Kandyan style is most prominent. It is a sophisticated form of dance that consists of five sub-categories: Ves dance, Naiyandi dance, Udekki dance, Pantheru dance and 18 Vannam. An elaborate headdress is worn by the male dancers, and a drum called Geta Béraya is used to assist the dancers to keep on rhythm.

The history of Sri Lankan painting and sculpture can be traced as far back as to the 2nd or 3rd century BCE. The earliest mention about the art of painting on Mahāvaṃsa, is to the drawing of a palace on cloth using cinnabar in the 2nd century BCE. The chronicles have a description of various paintings in relic chambers of Buddhist stupas and in monastic residences.

Theatre came to the country when a Parsi theatre company from Mumbai introduced Nurti, a blend of European and Indian theatrical conventions to the Colombo audience in the 19th century. The golden age of Sri Lankan drama and theatre began with the staging of Maname, a play written by Ediriweera Sarachchandra in 1956. It was followed by a series of popular dramas like Sinhabāhu, Pabāvatī, Mahāsāra, Muudu Puththu and Subha saha Yasa.

Sri Lankan literature spans at least two millennia and is heir to the Aryan literary tradition as embodied in the hymns of the Rigveda. The Pāli Canon, the standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, was written down in Sri Lanka during the Fourth Buddhist council, at the Alulena cave temple, Kegalle, as early as 29 BCE. Chronicles such as the Mahāvaṃsa, written in the 6th century, provide vivid descriptions of Sri Lankan dynasties. According to the German philosopher Wilhelm Geiger, the chronicles are based on Sinhala Atthakatha (commentary). The oldest surviving prose work is the Dhampiya-Atuva-Getapadaya, compiled in the 9th century CE. The greatest literary feats of medieval Sri Lanka include Sandesha Kāvya (poetic messages) such as Girā Sandeshaya (parrot message), Hansa Sandeshaya (swan message) and Salalihini Sandeshaya (myna message). Poetry including Kavsilumina, Kavya-Sekharaya (Diadem of Poetry) and proses such as Saddharma-Ratnāvaliya, Amāvatura (Flood of Nectar) and Pujāvaliya are also notable works of this period, which is considered to be the golden age of Sri Lankan literature. The first modern-day novel, Meena by Simon de Silva appeared in 1905 and was followed by several revolutionary literary works. Martin Wickramasinghe, the author of Madol Doova is considered the iconic figure of Sri Lankan literature.

While the national sport is volleyball, by far the most popular sport in the country is cricket. Rugby union also enjoys extensive popularity, as do association football, netball and tennis. Aquatic sports such as boating, surfing, swimming, kitesurfing and scuba diving attract many Sri Lankans and foreign tourists. There are two styles of martial arts native to Sri Lanka: Cheena di and Angampora.

The Sri Lanka national cricket team achieved considerable success beginning in the 1990s, rising from underdog status to winning the 1996 Cricket World Cup. They also won the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 played in Bangladesh, beating India in the final. In addition, Sri Lanka became the runners-up of the Cricket World Cup in 2007 and 2011, and of the ICC World Twenty20 in 2009 and 2012. Former Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan has been rated as the greatest test match bowler ever by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, and four Sri Lankan cricketers ranked 2nd (Sangakkara), 4th (Jayasuriya), 5th (Jayawardene) and 11th (Dilshan) highest ODI run scorers of all time, which is the second best by a team. Sri Lanka has won the Asia Cup in 1986, 1997, 2004, 2008 and 2014. Sri Lanka once held the highest team score in all three formats of cricket. The country co-hosted the Cricket World Cup in 1996 and 2011 and hosted the 2012 ICC World Twenty20.

Sri Lankans have won two medals at Olympic Games: one silver, by Duncan White at the 1948 London Olympics for men's 400 metres hurdles; and one silver by Susanthika Jayasinghe at the 2000 Sydney Olympics for women's 200 metres. In 1973, Muhammad Lafir won the World Billiards Championship, the highest feat by a Sri Lankan in a Cue sport. Sri Lanka has also won the Carrom World Championship titles twice in 2012, 2016 and 2018, the men's team becoming champions and the women's team winning second place.

Religion

Buddhism is the largest and is considered as an "Official religion" of Sri Lanka under Chapter II, Article 9, "The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana". Buddhism is practised by 70.2% of the Sri Lankan population with most being predominantly from Theravada school of thought. Most Buddhists are of the Sinhalese ethnic group with minority Tamils. Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 2nd century BCE by venerable Mahinda Maurya. A sapling of the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment was brought to Sri Lanka during the same time. The Pāli Canon (Thripitakaya), having previously been preserved as an oral tradition, was first committed to writing in Sri Lanka around 30 BCE. Sri Lanka has the longest continuous history of Buddhism of any predominantly Buddhist nation. During periods of decline, the Sri Lankan monastic lineage was revived through contact with Thailand and Burma.

Although Hindus in Sri Lanka a religious minority, Hinduism has been present in Sri Lanka at least since the 2nd century BCE. Hinduism was the dominant religion in Sri Lanka before the arrival of Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE. Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka by Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka, during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa; the Sinhalese embraced Buddhism and Tamils remain Hindus in Sri Lanka. However, it was activity from across the Palk Strait that truly set the scene for Hinduism's survival in Sri Lanka. Shaivism (devotional worship of Lord Shiva) was the dominant branch practised by the Tamil peoples, thus most of the traditional Hindu temple architecture and philosophy of Sri Lanka drew heavily from this particular strand of Hinduism. Thirugnanasambanthar mentioned the names of several Sri Lankan Hindu temples in his works.

Islam is the third most prevalent religion in the country, having first been brought to the island by Arab traders over the course of many centuries, starting around the mid or late 7th century CE. Most followers on the island today are Sunni who follow the Shafi'i school and are believed to be descendants of Arab traders and the local women whom they married.

Christianity reached the country at least as early as the fifth century (and possibly in the first), gaining a wider foothold through Western colonists who began to arrive early in the 16th century. Around 7.4% of the Sri Lankan population are Christians, of whom 82% are Roman Catholics who trace their religious heritage directly to the Portuguese. Tamil Catholics attribute their religious heritage to St. Francis Xavier as well as Portuguese missionaries. The remaining Christians are evenly split between the Anglican Church of Ceylon and other Protestant denominations.

There is also a small population of Zoroastrian immigrants from India (Parsis) who settled in Ceylon during the period of British rule. This community has steadily dwindled in recent years.

Religion plays a prominent role in the life and culture of Sri Lankans. The Buddhist majority observe Poya Days each month according to the Lunar calendar, and Hindus and Muslims also observe their own holidays. In a 2008 Gallup poll, Sri Lanka was ranked the third most religious country in the world, with 99% of Sri Lankans saying religion was an important part of their daily life.

Demographics

Sri Lanka has roughly 22,156,000 people and an annual population growth rate of 0.5%. The birth rate is 13.8 births per 1,000 people, and the death rate is 6.0 deaths per 1,000 people. Population density is highest in western Sri Lanka, especially in and around the capital. Sinhalese constitute the largest ethnic group in the country, with 74.8% of the total population. Sri Lankan Tamils are the second major ethnic group in the island, with a percentage of 11.2%. Moors comprise 9.2%. There are also small ethnic groups such as the Burghers (of mixed European descent) and Malays from Southeast Asia. Moreover, there is a small population of Vedda people who are believed to be the original indigenous group to inhabit the island.

Sinhala and Tamil are the two official languages. The constitution defines English as the link language. English is widely used for education, scientific and commercial purposes. Members of the Burgher community speak variant forms of Portuguese Creole and Dutch with varying proficiency, while members of the Malay community speak a form of Creole Malay that is unique to the island.

Buddhism is the largest and is considered as an "Official religion" of Sri Lanka under Chapter II, Article 9, "The Republic of Sri Lanka shall give to Buddhism the foremost place and accordingly it shall be the duty of the State to protect and foster the Buddha Sasana". Buddhism is practised by 70.2% of the Sri Lankan population with most being predominantly from Theravada school of thought. Most Buddhists are of the Sinhalese ethnic group with minority Tamils. Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the 2nd century BCE by venerable Mahinda Maurya. A sapling of the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment was brought to Sri Lanka during the same time. The Pāli Canon (Thripitakaya), having previously been preserved as an oral tradition, was first committed to writing in Sri Lanka around 30 BCE. Sri Lanka has the longest continuous history of Buddhism of any predominantly Buddhist nation. During periods of decline, the Sri Lankan monastic lineage was revived through contact with Thailand and Burma.

Although Hindus in Sri Lanka a religious minority, Hinduism has been present in Sri Lanka at least since the 2nd century BCE. Hinduism was the dominant religion in Sri Lanka before the arrival of Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE. Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka by Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka, during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa; the Sinhalese embraced Buddhism and Tamils remain Hindus in Sri Lanka. However, it was activity from across the Palk Strait that truly set the scene for Hinduism's survival in Sri Lanka. Shaivism (devotional worship of Lord Shiva) was the dominant branch practised by the Tamil peoples, thus most of the traditional Hindu temple architecture and philosophy of Sri Lanka drew heavily from this particular strand of Hinduism. Thirugnanasambanthar mentioned the names of several Sri Lankan Hindu temples in his works.

Islam is the third most prevalent religion in the country, having first been brought to the island by Arab traders over the course of many centuries, starting around the mid or late 7th century CE. Most followers on the island today are Sunni who follow the Shafi'i school and are believed to be descendants of Arab traders and the local women whom they married.

Christianity reached the country at least as early as the fifth century (and possibly in the first), gaining a wider foothold through Western colonists who began to arrive early in the 16th century. Around 7.4% of the Sri Lankan population are Christians, of whom 82% are Roman Catholics who trace their religious heritage directly to the Portuguese. Tamil Catholics attribute their religious heritage to St. Francis Xavier as well as Portuguese missionaries. The remaining Christians are evenly split between the Anglican Church of Ceylon and other Protestant denominations.

There is also a small population of Zoroastrian immigrants from India (Parsis) who settled in Ceylon during the period of British rule. This community has steadily dwindled in recent years.

Religion plays a prominent role in the life and culture of Sri Lankans. The Buddhist majority observe Poya Days each month according to the Lunar calendar, and Hindus and Muslims also observe their own holidays. In a 2008 Gallup poll, Sri Lanka was ranked the third most religious country in the world, with 99% of Sri Lankans saying religion was an important part of their daily life.

Sri Lankans have a life expectancy of 75.5 years at birth, which is 10% higher than the world average. The infant mortality rate stands at 8.5 per 1,000 births and the maternal mortality rate at 0.39 per 1,000 births, which is on par with figures from developed countries. The universal "pro-poor" health care system adopted by the country has contributed much towards these figures. Sri Lanka ranks first among southeast Asian countries with respect to deaths by suicide, with 33 deaths per 100,000 persons. According to the Department of Census and Statistics, poverty, destructive pastimes, and inability to cope with stressful situations are the main causes behind the high suicide rates. On 8 July 2020, the World Health Organization declared that Sri Lanka had successfully eliminated rubella and measles ahead of their 2023 target.

With a literacy rate of 92.9%, Sri Lanka has one of the most literate populations amongst developing nations. Its youth literacy rate stands at 98.8%, computer literacy rate at 35%, and primary school enrollment rate at over 99%. An education system which dictates 9 years of compulsory schooling for every child is in place.

The free education system established in 1945 is a result of the initiative of C. W. W. Kannangara and A. Ratnayake. It is one of the few countries in the world that provide universal free education from primary to tertiary stage. Kannangara led the establishment of the Madhya Vidyalayas (central schools) in different parts of the country in order to provide education to Sri Lanka's rural children. In 1942, a special education committee proposed extensive reforms to establish an efficient and quality education system for the people. However, in the 1980s changes to this system separated the administration of schools between the central government and the provincial government. Thus the elite national schools are controlled directly by the ministry of education and the provincial schools by the provincial government. Sri Lanka has approximately 10,155 government schools, 120 private schools and 802 pirivenas.

Sri Lanka has 17 public universities. A lack of responsiveness of the education system to labour market requirements, disparities in access to quality education, lack of an effective linkage between secondary and tertiary education remain major challenges for the education sector. A number of private, degree awarding institutions have emerged in recent times to fill in these gaps, yet the participation at tertiary level education remains at 5.1%. Sri Lanka was ranked 95th in the Global Innovation Index in 2021, down from 89th in 2019.

Science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke served as chancellor of Moratuwa University from 1979 to 2002.

Sri Lanka

Ampara

Anuradhapura

Avissawella

Badulla

Balangoda

Batticaloa

Beruwala

Chilaw

Colombo

Embilipitiya

Galle