INTRODUCTION Couched in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has attracted traders and travelers for centuries. A languorous tropical isle of deep spirituality and serenity, Sri Lanka entered the Western imagination as the Tahiti of the East. Despite its smallness, | |||||||||||||
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Location: Sri Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean, is located to the south of the Indian subcontinent. It lies between 5º55' and 9º55' north of the equator and between the eastern longitudes 79º42' and 81º52'. Sri Lanka is shaped like a giant teardrop falling from the southern tip of the vast Indian subcontinent. It is separated from India by the 50-km-wide Palk Strait, although there is a series of stepping-stone coral islets known as Adam's Bridge that almost form a land bridge between the two countries.
Physical Features: With a length of 445 km and breadth of 225 km, Sri Lanka encompasses beautiful tropical beaches, verdant vegetation, ancient monuments and a thousand delights to please all tastes. The relief features of the island consist of a mountainous mass somewhat south of the center with heights exceeding 2,500 m surrounded by broad plains. Palm-fringed beaches surround the island.
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The southern half of the island is dominated by beautiful and rugged hill country. The entire northern half comprises a large plain extending from the edge of the hill country to the Jaffna peninsula. The highest mountain is the 2524-m-high Mt Pidurutalagala (near Nuwara Eliya) and the longest river is the Mahaweli that courses from the center and empties into the Indian Ocean at Trincomalee. The best beaches are on the southwestern, southern and southeastern coasts. Climate: In the lowlands, the climate is typically tropical with an average temperature of 27°C in Colombo. In the higher elevations, it can be quite cool with temperatures going down to 16ºC at an altitude of nearly 2,000 m. Bright, sunny warm days are the rule and are common even during the height of the monsoon-climatically Sri Lanka has no off-season. The southwest monsoon brings rain mainly from May to July to the western, southern and central regions of the island, while the northeast monsoon rains occur in the northern and eastern regions in December and January. |
Of the 86 species of mammals, the pride of place goes to the majestic elephant. Other mammals include the sloth bear, the protected dugong, the wild boar, the porcupine and monkeys, especially the gray langur, which is common throughout the island. Of special interest is the endemic purple-faced leaf monkey, found in the higher hill regions. The island abounds in reptiles of which 75 are endemic. Of the two endemic species of crocodile, the commonest is the marsh crocodile. The beautiful star tortoise is the only land tortoise. Besides, there are five species of turtles, all protected by law. Of the 83 species of snakes, only five are lethal, these being cobra, Russell's viper, Indian krait, Ceylon krait, and the saw-scaled viper.
The diversified climate allows for trees, tropical as well as temperate. The luxuriant undergrowth and tall majestic trees of the wet-zone tropical forests contrast with the arid scrubland and tall palms of the north and east. In the hills, vegetation varies from the almost treeless patanas-Moon Plains, Elk Plains, etc.-to the dark rhododendron forests, wreathed with the protected sphagnum moss, to the gorse covered Horton Plains. From March to May numerous flowering trees such as the fiery Poinciana regia, the white Mesua ferrea, and the cherry blossom-like tabebuia burst into bloom. Flowering orchids include endemic varieties such as the protected daffodil and wesak orchids.
Sri Lanka has a year round abundance of fruits-pineapple, papaya, banana and mango are plentiful throughout the year. Between the months of July and October, mangoosteen, passion fruit, avocado, pear, durian, rambuttan and oranges are also available. For centuries spices have been one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated exports, among them cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, pepper, etc. Sri Lanka abounds in tea, rubber and coconut plantations.
HISTORY
Recent excavations show that even during the Neolithic Age, there were food gatherers and rice cultivators in Sri Lanka. Very little is known of this period as documented history began with the arrival of the Aryans from North India. The Aryans introduced the use of iron and an advanced form of agriculture and irrigation. They also introduced the art of government. Of the Aryan settlements, Anuradhapura grew into a powerful kingdom under the rule of king Pandukabhaya. During the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa, Arahat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Ashoka of India, introduced Buddhism in 247 BC. This is the most important event in Sri Lankan history as it set the country on the road to cultural greatness. As a new civilization flourished, Sri Lanka became rich and prosperous.
The account in the Mahavamsa (the principal historical chronicle of the Sinhalese) of this Indo-Aryan immigration and occupation thereafter is corroborated by the discovery at Anuradhapura of Prakrit writing in the Brahmi script which has been reliably dated to a period between 600 and 500 BC. These immigrants were the first Sinhalese; they gave the island its first historically known government and name-Sinhaladipa or "the Island of the Sinhalese." All the Sinhalese were converted to Theravada Buddhism in the years after its formal introduction in the 3rd century BC.
The Greeks called the island Taprobane, which is derived from the Sanskrit Tamraparni. The Pali form was Tambapanni. In India, it was also called Lanka (meaning beautiful). However, the European name of Ceylon derives from the ancient name of the Sinhalese. The Portuguese Ceilao, and the Arabic, Serendib all stem from the Pali Sinhala or Sinhaladipa, and until 1815 the kingdom was known as Simhala. The Tamil name for the island Eelam is also derived from Sinhala.
Foreign invasions were intermittent and the capital was moved constantly until the Portuguese arrived in 1505, when the chief city was established at Kotte, in the western lowlands. The Portuguese came to trade in spices but stayed to rule until 1656 in the coastal regions, as did the Dutch thereafter. Dutch rule lasted from 1656 to 1796, in which year the British displaced them. During this period, the highland kingdom, with its capital in Kandy, retained its independence despite repeated assaults by foreign powers that ruled the rest of the country. In 1815, the kingdom of Kandy was ceded to the British and thus they established their rule over the whole island. Modern communications, western medical services, education in English, as well as the plantation industry (first coffee then tea, rubber and coconut) developed during British rule. By a process of peaceful, constitutional evolution, Sri Lanka won back her independence in 1948 and is now a sovereign republic, with membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations Organization.
PEOPLE:-
ETHNICITY
Sri Lanka has a population of 18.5 million of whom the majority are Sinhalese (74%). Other ethnic groups are made up of Sri Lankan Tamils (12.6%), Indian Tamils (5.5%), Moors, Malays, Burghers (of Portuguese and Dutch descent) and others (7.9%). Although Sri Lanka is a multi-religious country, Buddhists constitute the majority with 69.3%. Other religious groups are Hindus 15.5%, Muslims 7.6% and Christians 7.5%. Sri Lanka's literacy rate of 88.6% is one of the highest in Asia.
Sinhala and Tamil are official languages in Sri Lanka. Sinhala, a language of Indo-Aryan origin is the language of the majority. English is widely spoken and understood. Place names and signboards on buses and trains are usually in all three languages.
ARTS & CRAFTS
Woodcarving, weaving, pottery and metalwork are all highly developed crafts, and Sri Lanka is especially renowned for its gems. Ambalangoda is the best place to see Sri Lankan masks; Ratnapura is the center of Sri Lanka's gem trade.
Sri Lanka's classical architecture, sculpture and painting are predominantly Buddhist. Stupas sprinkle the countryside, and there are several extravagantly large Buddha sculptures, notably at Aukana and Buduruvagala. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa have the most impressive archaeological legacy, but Kandy is the most thriving cultural center today. Colonial remnants include Dutch forts, canal and churches and British residences, clubs and courthouses. Galle is the finest colonial city on the island.
MUSIC & DANCE
Sinhalese dancing is similar to Indian dance but relies on acrobatics, nimbleness and symbolism to unfold its narratives. Kandy is a good place to see 'up-country dancing,' but Colombo or Ambalangoda are the places to witness the ritualistic exorcism of 'devil dancing.' Folk theatre combines dance, masked drama, and drumming and exorcism rituals to vividly recreate Sri Lankan folklore.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Sri Lanka has an enormous range of Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim festivals. The Kandy Esala Perahera (July/August) is the country's most important and spectacular pageant, with 10 days of torchbearers, whip-crackers, dancers, drummers and elephants lit up like giant birthday cakes. It climaxes in great procession honoring the Sacred Tooth Relic of Kandy. Second in importance is the Duruthu Perahera (January) held in Colombo, which celebrates a visit by Buddha to Sri Lanka.
Other celebrations include the National Day, celebrated with parades, dances and national games; Sri Lankan New Year (March/April), celebrated with elephant races, coconut games and pillow fights; Vesak (May), a sacred full-moon festival commemorating the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha; the Hindu Vel festival (July/August) in Colombo, where the ceremonial chariot of Skanda, the God of War, is hauled between two temples; and the predominantly Hindu Kataragama festival (July/August) in Kataragama, where devotees put themselves through the whole gamut of ritual masochism.
CUISINE
Rice and hot curry dominate meals, which also include small side dishes of vegetables, meat and fish. Indian curries such as vegetarian thali, delicately flavored biryani, and kool are also available. Hoppers are a unique Sri Lankan snack, similar to a pancake, served with egg or honey and yogurt. Coastal towns have excellent fish and most travelers are happy to live on the delicious local tuna. There are plenty of tropical fruits to choose from, the tea is terrific and the beer acceptable.
POLITY
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a free, independent and sovereign nation. A system of administration through provincial councils was introduced in 1988. Legislative power is exercised by Parliament, elected by universal franchise on a proportional representation basis. The President, who is also elected by the people, exercises executive power of the people, including defense.
ECONOMY
Sri Lanka is mainly an agrarian country. The chief crop is rice with which the country is almost self-sufficient. Tea, rubber and coconut are also important agricultural crops, with tea being a major foreign exchange earner. In addition, other crops of importance are cocoa and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, pepper and cloves. Fruit and vegetables, native to both tropical and temperate regions, grow well in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is also a major exporter of precious and semi-precious stones. Within the last few years, remittances from Sri Lankans employed abroad have contributed a large share towards foreign exchange.
The last three decades have seen tourism emerge as an important industry. There has also been a rapid growth in manufacturing industries, which offer a wide range of export goods such as petroleum products, leather goods, ready-made garments and electronic equipment.
SITES TO VISIT
The capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo offers a host of attractions to the tourist. These include Buddhists temples, Hindu temples, mosques, Christian churches, Parliament building, parks, zoo, museums and art galleries. The historical cities of Sri Lanka are Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambula, Arthalanthaya, Yapahuwa, and Aluvihara. Other places of interest include Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura.
There are many beaches in Sri Lanka and they are found in the three coastal areas-north, west and east. In the west coast, the main beaches are-Negombo, Mount Lavinia, Beruwela, Bentota, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa, Galle and Weligama. Along the north coast, one can visit Jaffna. In the east coast, the prominent ones are Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Kalkudah, Nilaveli, and Arugam Bay.
The nature lovers can visit the Yala or Ruhuna National Park, Wilpattu National Park, Gal Oya National Park, Maduru Oya National Park, Uda Walawe National Park, Wasgamuwa National Park, Horton Plains National Park, and Bundala National Park. For ornithologists, the sanctuaries at Kumana, Wirawila, Bundala, and Kalametiya are all worth a visit. These are all lagoon locations in Sri Lanka's extreme southeastern coast. The Giant's Tank in the northwestern corner of the island is a huge ancient irrigation reservoir of 3,800 hectares. Sri Lanka has three beautiful botanical gardens-Peradeniya at an elevation of 488 m, Hakgala at 1,680 m, and Henarathgoda in the low country. Besides these, one can also find elephant orphanages at Pinnawela and zoological gardens in Colombo.
HOW TO REACH
The only way to enter Sri Lanka is by flying. Colombo is the international gateway for direct flights from Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. There are cheap flights available between Colombo and Chennai, Trichy, Thiruvananthapuram and Mumbai.
There are no domestic passenger flights in Sri Lanka, which leaves buses and trains as the dominant modes of transport. Buses are cheap and plentiful. Train travel, while slower, is more comfortable. Motorbike and self-driven car hire are becoming increasingly popular. Local transport consists of buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws.
OTHER INFORMATION
Visitors from the USA, most western European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Israel, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong do not require visas. Automatic entry for between 30 and 90 days is given on arrival. Cholera, hepatitis and malaria are common health risks.
