In the earliest times, Sri Lanka has been a land of endless enchantment for visitors from all over the world. To Arabs it was “Serendib” and to Marco Polo it was “the finest island in the world”. Under its former name Ceylon it was known to world as a tea-producing outpost of the British empire and today it is equally renowned as a tourist destination, offering beautiful beaches, fascinating culture, fragrant spice gardens and incredible sight-seeing.
Being a small tropical island set in the sun-warmed Indian Ocean, the high altitude of Sri Lanka’s central highlands produce surprising and delightful geographical contrasts and variety. Thus while Colombo, the sea port commercial capital is classically tropical, the picturesque hill resort of Nuwara Eliya, just 160 kms away, enjoys classic ‘English Spring’ weather year round.
Nature has blessed Sri Lanka generously — its petite proportions astonishingly harbor the world’s tenth richest bio-diversity. Not just natural riches but natural wonders too make Sri Lanka unique and unforgettable from other countries. Dramatic mountain rifts like World’s End, the Haputale Pass and the Elle Gap and tumultuous Diyaluma, sixth highest of the world’s perennial waterfalls. The sweeping haven of Trincomalee — one of the finest natural harbors on earth.
A ring of golden tropical beaches circle Sri Lanka on its western, southern, eastern and northern shores. The island’s well-roistered rainfall pattern keeps one-half of its coasts rain free in turn, year round.
Whatever the choice of beach, the magic is everywhere. Sparkling surf, silky sands bathed in golden sunshine and coral wonderlands glowing with tropical fish. Many beach resorts especially on the southern and western coasts have excellent leisure and recreation facilities and professional services for windsurfing, water skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, boating, jet scooter and fun tube riding and deep sea fishing. Resort hotels also offer good in-house animation, recreation and evening entertainment, many also have fitness centers and ayurvedic (herbal therapy). Fresh seafood is a specialty at all beach resorts.
Spanning more than twenty-five centuries, Sri Lanka’s classic and deep-rooted civilization is eloquently recorded in ancient and historic cities and citadels and in masterpieces of architecture, art, sculpture, and engineering. Despite Sri Lanka’s modest size, as many as six UNESCO World Heritage Sites underscore vast and fascinating archaeological wealth, many of these and other monuments are conveniently located in a compact area called the Cultural Triangle.
Sigiriya, stunning 5th century rock fortress citadel of a fugitive king dazzles visitors with its many marvels. Among them are the Mirror Well, Lion Stairway, Water Gardens (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the world-renowned rock frescoes glowing with color after fifteen centuries.
Sri Lanka’s scenic beauty is as varied as it is enchanting Dizzy gorges such as World’s End drop 1,000 meters to the plains below and the panoramas of Haputale and Elle stretch over hills and valleys to even a distant glimpse of the sea. Hill century roads and railways cross-picturesque landscapes making travel here exciting.
Sri Lanka’s highlands are also full of other fascinations.
Tea covers vast areas of the hill districts and a visit to a tea plantation, always picturesquely sited, to see Sri Lanka’s most famous product being grown and processed is an integral part of the Sri Lanka experience. Many flagrant spices are also grown in the highlands, especially around Kandy, where numerous spice gardens welcome visitors. The southwestern foothills around Ratnapura (City of Gems) yield Sri Lanka’s famed jewels: visitors can see them being recovered here from pits and riverbeds.
Unique highland nature reserves will delight nature lovers. Among the most fascination are the Sinharaja Rain Forest (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Knuckles Ranges and Horton Plains mountain cloud forests and the Peak Wilderness.
The Nuwara Eliya hill resort 1,800 meters above sea level, has a scenic location among high mountain ranges and prime tea plantations. British period architecture, flower filled gardens and an 18-hole golf course are reminders of its colonial roots. The Hakgala Botanic Gardens close by has fine collections of sub tropical flora.
Sri Lanka’s geographical diversity endows it with rich and varied wildlife, conserved in 13 national parks and more than hundred other protected areas. Yala (Ruhuna), Uda Walawe, Wasgamuwa, Wilpattu (open for limited touring), Gal Oya, Maduru Oya, Hortain Plains, Minneriya, Kaudullawewa, Bundala, Kumana, Wirawila and Kalametiya are among the most conveniently visited. Among animal species to be seen are elephant, leopard, bear, sambhur, wild buffalo, deer, monkey, wild bear, jungle cat and giant squirrel. Among 441 species of resident and migrant birds are blue magpie, paradise and dusky blue flycatcher, red raced malkoha, yellow-eared bulbul, orange minivet, golden oriole, mountain hawk eagle and black-necked stork. The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is a unique sanctuary for elephants displaced from herd.
Colombo — Sri Lanka’s chief city and sea port and until recently its capital, is a curious blend of east and west, old and new. Oriental bazaars, Buddhist and Hindu temples and mosques contrast with high rises, smart modern shopping malls and multinational chain hotels. Sightseeing highlights include the Colombo National and Dutch Period museums, the old and new Parliament houses and the Dehiwela Zoo. Tempting shops, one of the world’s leading tea auctions, an 18-hole golf course, traditional Buddhist and Hindu pageants, international cricket tournaments, plush casinos, enjoyable evening entertainment and excellent restaurants are some of Colombo’s other attractions. State of the art communications and cyber services are available in hotels and from other outlets.
The Sri Lankan people are as varied as their land with diverse ethnic and cultural roots — Sinhala Tamil, Moor, Malay, European descent Burgher and forest swelling Veddah aborigines. The ethnic variety enriches Sri Lankan heritage and life, endowing many unique and fascinating facets. Ayurvedic herbal medicine and insight meditation still heal body and mind as they have done for thousands of years. Ancient arts, crafts and customs still nourish traditional culture.
Shopping in Colombo and in tourist resorts is an exciting and rewarding experience. Best buys include gems, jewelry, brass, silver, reed and rush handicrafts, tea spices, porcelain, export garments, an accessories, batiks, hand made lace and hand made chocolates. A wide selection of duty free goods is available at the Colombo International Airport.
Sri Lanka has a well-developed network of hotels, managed and operated in international professional standards and well-trained personnel. The range include large luxury multinational and Sri Lankan chain hotels, small luxury and boutique properties, ayurvedic (herbal) spas, safari and eco-lodges, friendly family hotels, parkland chalet complexes, theme resorts, club hotels, colonial period inns, converted manor houses and tea plantation bungalows. Competitively priced, with flexible tariff options, they offer excellent value for money. Many are ideal wedding and honeymoon locations. Unique offer include wedding packages inclusive of all arrangements for wedding ceremonies of client’s choice.
Sri Lanka is a popular and fast growing film location, a range of professional, cost effective film location services are available to producers. Professionally trained experience English speaking and multilingual guides are also available.
A wealth of visitor attractions, excellent conference and exhibition facilities, infrastructure and professional services, easy accessibility and competitive pricing also makes Sri Lanka a highly viable choice for conference, exhibition, fairs and incentive vacations.
