Sri Lanka Travel Guide
A teardrop-shaped island cast adrift in the Indian Ocean, Sri lanka is filled with cultural and natural treasures. Indians, Portuguese, Dutch and British have all left their marks here, making for a delightful mix of ancient cities, monuments and atmospheric colonial architecture.
At the same time, palm-fringed beaches are never far away and lush mountainous greenery beckons inland. It's clear to see why Marco Polo proclaimed Sri Lanka to be one of the best islands in the world.
However, its teardrop shape is not inappropriate and Sri Lanka has known its fair share of political turmoil and natural disasters in recent decades. Once the country became a Republic in 1972, serious conflict arose from the Tamil minority (occupying the north and east), who demanded a separate state. Conflict with the Tamil Tigers seemingly came to an end in May 2009 with the death of the Tiger's leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Areas in the affected northeast of the country are beginning to be removed from FCO lists, opening up the region for tourism.
The country was also devastated by the 2004 tsunami, which killed more than 30,000 Sri Lankans and wiped out many coastal communities. While many tourists have been discouraged by the troubles, tourism is a healing force in this hard-hit country, and visitors will be guaranteed a warm welcome.
At the same time, palm-fringed beaches are never far away and lush mountainous greenery beckons inland. It's clear to see why Marco Polo proclaimed Sri Lanka to be one of the best islands in the world.
However, its teardrop shape is not inappropriate and Sri Lanka has known its fair share of political turmoil and natural disasters in recent decades. Once the country became a Republic in 1972, serious conflict arose from the Tamil minority (occupying the north and east), who demanded a separate state. Conflict with the Tamil Tigers seemingly came to an end in May 2009 with the death of the Tiger's leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Areas in the affected northeast of the country are beginning to be removed from FCO lists, opening up the region for tourism.
The country was also devastated by the 2004 tsunami, which killed more than 30,000 Sri Lankans and wiped out many coastal communities. While many tourists have been discouraged by the troubles, tourism is a healing force in this hard-hit country, and visitors will be guaranteed a warm welcome.
Sri Lanka Information
Location
South Asia.
Time
GMT + 5.5.
Area
65,525 sq km (25,299 sq miles).
Population
20.9 million (CIA estimate 2007).
Population Density
319 per sq km.
Capital
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (official). Population: 115,826 (census 2001). Colombo (commercial). Population: 2.4 million (official estimate 2006). Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is only 10km (6 miles) from Colombo.
Geography
Sri Lanka is an island off the southeast coast of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is separated from India by the Indian Ocean, in which lies the chain of islands called Adam’s Bridge. Sri Lanka has an irregular surface with low-lying coastal plains running inland from the northern and eastern shores. The central and southern areas slope into hills and mountains. The highest peak is Pidurutalagala (2,524m/8,281ft).
Government
Democratic Socialist Republic since 1978. Gained independence from the UK in 1948.
Head of State
President Mahinda Rajapakse since November 2005.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake.
History
A long-awaited deal between Sri Lanka's government and the rebel Tamil Tigers was finally concluded in early 2002, and initially it held. However, many issues remained to be resolved. All this was not helped by a serious feud between President Karamatunga and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, which led in November 2003 to suspension of parliament and the dismissal of three ministers. Wickremesinghe was ousted at the assembly elections, with Mahinda Rajapakse becoming prime minister.
However, the political turbulence catalysed a resurgence in Tamil Tiger activity in 2004. In February 2006, the government and rebels reaffirmed their respect for the 2002 ceasefire. However, within months the fighting had intensified. Peace talks in October 2006 came to nothing.
Rajapakse won narrowly in 2005 presidential elections which saw an almost total boycott in the Tamil areas. In January 2007 the government achieved a long-awaited parliamentary majority when 25 opposition MPs defected to the president's party.
However, the political turbulence catalysed a resurgence in Tamil Tiger activity in 2004. In February 2006, the government and rebels reaffirmed their respect for the 2002 ceasefire. However, within months the fighting had intensified. Peace talks in October 2006 came to nothing.
Rajapakse won narrowly in 2005 presidential elections which saw an almost total boycott in the Tamil areas. In January 2007 the government achieved a long-awaited parliamentary majority when 25 opposition MPs defected to the president's party.
Language
Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Religion
Buddhist majority (70%), with Hindu, Christian and Muslim minorities.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round three-pin plugs are usual, with bayonet lamp fittings.
Social Conventions
Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. It is customary to be offered tea when visiting and it is considered impolite to refuse. Punctuality is appreciated. A small token of appreciation, such as a souvenir from home or company, is always welcomed. Informal, Western dress is suitable, except when visiting Buddhist temples, where modest clothing should be worn (eg no bare legs and upper arms). Visitors should be decently clothed when visiting any place of worship, and shoes and hats must be removed. Jackets and ties are not required by men in the evenings except for formal functions when lightweight suits should be worn.
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