Tourism

Tourism

Sri Lanka is an island with smiling people who are well known for their hospitality. This beautiful island is indeed a land like no other. It has something to offer everyone. The highly developed tourism sector presents a wide variety of attractions/choices to the discerning visitor to the country.
Legend as well as history record that Sri Lanka has always delighted visitors to its shores. For countless centuries its fragrant spices, priceless gems and pearls, legendary beauty, sublime culture and friendly people captivated princess, poets, traders, empire-builders and admirers.

Religious Tourism and Heritage
Sri Lanka has a documented history, spread over 2500 years. Five centuries before Christ, Sri Lanka was a land throbbing with vitality and well-ordered civilization. Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Yapahuwa, and Kandy, are a few of the heritage sites. Six of Sri Lanka's historical sites are declared as World heritage sites by the UNESCO

In 247 B.C. Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka by Arahat Mahinda, son of Buddhist Emperor Asoka of India. Sri Lanka, today is enriched with many religious places.

Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka's first capital founded during 4th century B.C. Religious places include Ruwanwelisaya, Jetawanaramaya, Abayagiriya, Sculptures - Isurumuniya lovers Sri Maha Bodhiya one of the oldest chronicled trees in the world.


Polonnaruwa- The capital from 11-13 centuries A.D. blends South Indian Hindi culture with Sinhala artistry resembled in rock shrines such as Gal Viharaya, circular ruins such as Vatadage, lakes such as the" Parakkrama Samudraya", gigantic Buddha statues and granite sculptures.


Sigiriya - a world heritage site at the centre of the cultural triangle is a magnificent fortress, with swimming pools, fabulous landscaping, stunning frescoes and mirror walls, constructed in the 5th century A.D. by King Kashayapa, is considered the eight wonder of the world.


Mihintale- 7 miles east of Anuradhapura, is regarded as the cradle of Buddhism.


Kandy - The last capital of the Sinhala kings is a living record to a magnificent past. The main attraction is the Dalada Maligawa, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha.

Nature - We offer everything from misty mountains to tropical rainforests to wildlife sanctuaries to lush waterfalls for the nature lovers

Rainforest - Sinharaja, Sri Lanka's last remaining rainforest is as multi layered with vegetation as the Congo or the Amazon.

Mountains – Pidurutalagala, Sri Lanka's highest mountain of 2524m, Hunasgiriya, Knuckles, Haputale, Namunukula, Madulsima, Rakwana, Kirigalpoththa, Totapolakanda, Adam's Peak are enticing challenges. The Horton plains plateau, s secluded wilderness sanctuary 2130m high, offers an unforgettable view.


Waterfalls - Diyaluma (170m. - Sri Lanka’s highest perennial waterfall and the world's 6th highest), Bambarakande (241m) Ramboda, Aberdeen, Devon, St. Clair, Dunhinda, Rawana Ella adds dramatic beauty.

Wildlife sanctuaries - safari parks at Yala, Wiipattu, Wasgamuwa and Udawalwe, Kumana bird sanctuary and turtle hatchery of the west coast are popular tourist attractions.

Horton Plains National Park, Knuckles forest reservation, Hakgala gardens, Tangamalai,
Udawattekelle, Kalani Valley forest reserve are rich biodiversity sites with picturesque landscape.

Botanical gardens- Royal Botanical gardens, Peradeniya, Hakgala Botanical gardens

Unspoilt Beaches - Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by 1600 km of beautiful tropical beaches on the southern, western, eastern and northern shores.

Eco Tourism
World's tenth richest biodiversity location in the world

Adventure Tourism
Sri Lanka Is an adventure lover's dream.

Sri Lanka offers a wide choice of outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, biking, trekking/camping, hiking, cycling, cave trek, white water rafting, sailing, skiing, deep sea fishing, canoeing/kayaking, diving, bird watching, wild life viewing (bird, wildflower & botanical treks, butterfly watching)

Sports Tourism
Cricket, Tennis, Golf: Water Sports, Motor Racing and many more......
Cricket -Sri Lanka has made its mark in the international arena for cricket. Many international tournaments are held in Sri Lanka.Golf- Three fine 18-hole courses are available for visitors. The Royal Colombo one of Asia's oldest, Nuwara EIiya course at an elevation of 1890m also considered as one of the best in Asia, and the Victoria course near Kandy overlooking the sweeping waters of the Victoria reservoir are well maintained to international standards.


Water based sport- wind surfing, water skiing, surfing, sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, speed - boat, canoeing, water polo, banana boat, jet scooter and fun tube riding.

Health Tourism

Sri Lanka indigenous medicine harbours secret cures and home remedies for rest and relaxation and better living. Ayurvedha comes from a 3000 year old tradition of health and healing.Meditation, medicated massage, herbal saunas, lotus spa, steam baths, herbal therapy & diet, are available at Tourist Hotels.

Festivals
The festivals of the four main religions are celebrated in Sri Lanka. The Sri Pada pilgrimage, Thai Pongol, Duruthu Perahera (Kelani Raja Maha Vihara perahera), Navam perahera (Gangaramaya temple) Sinhala Tamil New year, Wesak, Poson, Kandy Esala perahera (Asia's grandest traditional pageant parade for 10 nights to honour the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha), Bellanwila (Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara), Kataragama Festival, Vel, Munneswaram Udappuwa and Nallur Festival, Devinuwara (Dondra) Festival, Deepavali, Ramazan, Christmas, Madhu and Thalawila Festivals.

Shopping, fun & entertainment
Sri Lanka is a shopping destination. Designer clothes manufactured in Sri Lanka are available at reasonable prices in and around Colombo. Plenty of souvenir shops selling wood carvings, ceramic, handlooms, colourful batiks, gem stones - blue sapphires, rubies, alexandrite, amethyst, garnets are also available island wide.


With the rapid westernization of the city, nightclubs, casinos and pubs can be seen in every corner of the city.
For more details, please visit the websites of Sri Lanka Tourist Board and SriLankan Airlines.