Introducing Sri Lanka

Introducing Sri Lanka
Travel Alert: Fighting between the Sri Lankan military and the LTTE (Tamil Tigers) has ceased, but northern Sri Lanka has been devastated by the conflict. Check the BBC for news updates and Safe Travel for current government warnings.

When the noted writer Sir Arthur C Clarke made his home in Sri Lanka in 1956, he claimed the island jewel of the Indian Ocean was the best place in the world from which to view the universe. The author of 2001: A Space Odyssey passed away in 2008, but no doubt the futurist would have logged on to Google Earth to gaze back at his island home from an online universe. And concealed in the sky-high imagery of this teardrop-shaped nation, he would have recognised an amazing diversity for somewhere so compact.

Fringing the coasts is an array of gently arcing golden-sand beaches, now making a comeback after the devastation wreaked by the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. Zoom closer to spy the giant tanks (artificial reservoirs) built by the first Sinhalese rulers around the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Pollonaruwa. In the Hill Country, a layer of cotton wool clouds obscures the view, mirroring the misty mornings travellers often experience in this area of waterfalls and verdant tea plantations.

To the northwest, a gossamer-thin land bridge almost connects fragile Sri Lanka to the modern juggernaut that is India. Two and a half decades of civil war reinforces this bridge to Tamil Nadu is as much cultural as geographic.

Irrespective of their cultural background, Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim locals will welcome you with pride. Pride in their criminally underrated cuisine, pride in their national parks and wildlife, and – especially – pride in their national cricket team. Whether you’re a humble three-wheeler jockey or a British-trained lawyer or doctor, the sport that frequently stops the nation is always worthy of discussion. How will the boys do in the upcoming series against New Zealand? Will the country be ready to host the World Cup in 2011? And have you seen how much that opening batsman from Kandy is earning in the new Indian Premier League?

Faced with funding a war and weathering a global financial crisis, Sri Lanka’s proud population has been doing it tough for a few years. But equipped with a stellar combination of scenery, culture and history, a growing focus on sustainable tourism and (hopefully) a more settled society, Sri Lanka is firmly back on the radar for curious travellers seeking unique experiences.

Last updated: Jul 1, 2009

Show full overview
More about Sri Lanka

* Places in Sri Lanka
* When to go & weather
* Getting there & around
* Practical information
* History
* Work & study
* Tips & articles

Click here to find out more!

Advertisement
Tips & articles

1. A relatively unscathed elephant fresco in the Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Tooth
Esala Perahera: Hindu festival of the tooth

14 July 2009

Legend has it that when Buddha was cremated in the fifth century BC, one of his followers took a tooth...

Read more

See all tips & articles for Sri Lanka

Ads by Google

Sri Lanka

Find Hotels, Compare Rates, Read Reviews & More. Try TripAdvisor!

www.TripAdvisor.com

50 Hotels in Zurich

Save up to 75% on your booking. Low rates and great availability!

www.booking.com

Beijing Tour Packages

Book Your Tour to Beijing via Us Enjoy Solid Service and Best Prices

www.TopChinaTravel.com/Beijing

New Zealand Car Rental

Download Unique Rental Car Gadget Get Best Avail. Rates - Guaranteed!

www.apexrentals.co.nz
Latest headlines for Sri Lanka

From BBC News

1.
Rajiv Gandhi assassin begins fast

22 September 2009 5:40AM

A woman serving a jail term for the assassination of former Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi is on a fast demanding premature release.

Read more
2.
ICC Champions Trophy 2006: Early exits for England and Shoaib

21 September 2009 6:32PM

India host the Champions Trophy for the first time - but Pakistan lose two of their star players before the tournament even begins

Read more
3.
ICC Champions Trophy 2002: Rain ruins the final

21 September 2009 6:27PM

Controversial rain rules ensure the 2002 Champions Trophy is shared between India and Sri Lanka

Read more

See more news at bbc.co.uk/new