SRI LANKA FACT FILE |
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Country |
: |
Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka |
Gained Independence in |
: |
1948 |
Administrative Capital |
: |
Sri Jayawardhanapura, Kotte |
Commercial Capital |
: |
Colombo |
Area |
: |
65,610 sq km
(25,322 sq miles) |
Length |
: |
445 km |
Breadth |
: |
225.3 km (278 meters) |
Population |
: |
19 million |
Population in Colombo |
: |
1.5 million |
Main Ethnic Groups |
: |
Sinhala
|
74% |
Sri Lankan
Tamils |
12.75% |
Indian Tamils |
5% |
Moor
|
7% |
|
0.8% |
|
Language |
: |
Official language is Sinhala.
Sinhala is a language of Indo-Aryan origin
and is the language of the majority. Tamils
& Muslims speak Tamil. English is widely
spoken by all communities. |
Currency |
: |
Sri Lankan Rupees |
Religious Groups |
: |
Buddhist |
69 |
Hindu
|
15.5 |
Islam |
7.6 |
Christian |
7.5 |
Others |
0.1 |
|
Literacy Rate |
: |
89% |
Average Life Expectancy |
: |
70-80 years |
Topography |
: |
|
Average Temperature |
: |
Colombo
|
30.60 C to 24.10 C |
Kandy |
29.00 C to 20.20 C |
Nuwara Eliya |
20.20 C to 11.50 C |
Beach |
29.00 C |
|
Rainfall |
: |
March – April |
Inter Monsoonal |
May – September |
South West Monsoon |
October –
November |
Inter Monsoonal |
December –
February |
North East Monsoon |
|
Average Rainfall |
: |
39” – 197” |
National Flower |
: |
|
National Tree |
: |
“Na” Tree (Ceylon Iron Wood) |
National Bird |
: |
“Wali Kukula” (Jungle Fowl) |
Longest River |
: |
Mahaweli (207 miles/333 km) |
Highest Waterfall |
: |
|
Widest Waterfall |
: |
St. Clair (241 ft/73 m) |
Highest Mountain |
: |
Pidurutalagela (8281
ft/2524 m |
Clothing |
: |
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Tourist Interested Places
in Sri Lanka |
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ACTIVITIES |
LOCATIONS OFFERED |
BIRD WATCHING |
ADAM’S PEAK
WILDERNESS SANCTUARY (SRI PADA) |
BANDARAWELA |
BELIHULOYA |
KNUCKLES
MOUNTAIN RANGE |
BUNDALA
NATIONAL PARK |
GAL OYA
NATIONAL PARK |
HORTON PLAINS
NATIONAL PARK (MAHA ELIYA) |
KAUDULLA
NATIONAL PARK |
KUMANA (YALA
EAST) NATIONAL PARK |
MINNERIYA
NATIONAL PARK |
UDAWALAWE
NATIONAL PARK |
WASGAMUWA
NATIONAL PARK |
WILPATTU
NATIONAL PARK |
YALA NATIONAL
PARK |
ARUGAMBAY |
KALPITIYA |
BUTTALA |
KALU GANGA |
POLONNARUWA |
SIGIRIYA |
SINHARAJA
RAINFOREST |
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CAVING |
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CYCLING AND MOUNTAIN BIKING |
HORTON PLAINS NATIONAL PARK (MAHA
ELIYA) |
BANDARAWELA |
BELIHULOYA |
KNUCKLES MOUNTAIN RANGE |
POLONNARUWA |
SIGIRIYA |
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CYCLING
AND MOUNTAIN BIKING |
HORTON
PLAINS NATIONAL PARK (MAHA ELIYA) |
BANDARAWELA |
BELIHULOYA |
KNUCKLES
MOUNTAIN RANGE |
POLONNARUWA |
SIGIRIYA |
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HIKING/
TREKKING |
ADAM’S
PEAK WILDERNESS SANCTUARY (SRI PADA) |
BANDARAWELA |
BELIHULOYA |
KNUCKLES
MOUNTAIN RANGE |
SINHARAJA
RAINFOREST |
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HOT
AIR BALLOON RIDES |
(JUST
OUTSIDE) UDAWALAWE NATIONAL PARK |
SIGIRIYA |
DAMBULLA |
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KAYAKING
AND CANOEING |
BELIHULOYA |
ARUGAMBAY |
KALU
GANGA |
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NATURE
TRAILS |
ADAM’S
PEAK WILDERNESS SANCTUARY (SRI PADA) |
BANDARAWELA |
BELIHULOYA |
KNUCKLES
MOUNTAIN RANGE |
HORTON
PLAINS NATIONAL PARK (MAHA ELIYA) |
BUTTALA |
SINHARAJA
RAINFOREST |
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NATURE
WEDDING AND HONEYMOON PACKAGES |
BELIHULOYA |
SIGIRIYA |
SINHARAJA
RAINFOREST |
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OFF
ROAD 4WD JEEP ADVENTURES |
BELIHULOYA |
GAL
OYA NATIONAL PARK |
KALPITIYA |
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RAINFOREST
EXPLORATIONS |
ADAM’S
PEAK WILDERNESS SANCTUARY (SRI PADA) |
SINHARAJA
RAINFOREST |
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SNORKELLING
AND SCUBA DIVING |
KALPITIYA |
TRINCOMALEE |
ADDITIONAL
SOUTHWEST LOCATIONS (AVAILABLE ON
REQUEST) |
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SURFING |
ARUGAM
BAY, HIKKADUWA, MIRISSA |
ADDITIONAL
SOUTHWEST LOCATIONS (AVAILABLE ON
REQUEST) |
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TURTLE
WATCHING |
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WATER
SKIING |
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WILDLIFE
SAFARIS |
BUNDALA
NATIONAL PARK |
GAL
OYA NATIONAL PARK |
KAUDULLA
NATIONAL PARK |
KUMANA
(YALA EAST) NATIONAL PARK |
MINNERIYA
NATIONAL PARK |
UDAWALAWE
NATIONAL PARK |
WASGAMUWA
NATIONAL PARK |
WILPATTU
NATIONAL PARK |
YALA
NATIONAL PARK |
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WINDSURFING |
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WHITE
WATER RAFTING |
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Main Business City in Sri Lanka |
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Colombo is the commercial
capital of Sri Lanka and has a fascination
of its own. Nearly every visitor to Sri
Lanka begins or ends his stay in Colombo.
More than anywhere else in the country it’s
a city where the old and new co-exist.
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There are high-rise complexes
and colonial mansions, supermarkets
and street bazaars, flashy western
fashions and traditional sarongs,
speedy sports cars and one-man
rickshaws. Most of the remnants
found in Colombo today are the
legacy of the British, Dutch and
Portuguese. Horseracing was a
regular activity on the seaside Galle Face Green.
Today, most of the hotels are gathered
around this same Green, now minus the
horses. |
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Places of interest – Vihara
Maha Devi Park and the colonial style
brilliant white Town Hall; the Museum which
houses many rare treasures; the
parliamentary complex at Sri
Jayawardhanapura, the administrative
capital, a unique work of architecture set
on an island. The Bandaranayake Memorial
International Conference Hall with its
spacious gardens and right opposite is the
colossal statue of Lord Buddha. Galle Face
Green; the Zoological Gardens – reputed to
be one of Asia’s finest; handloom and
handicraft shops. There are plenty of Night
Clubs and Casinos to keep you busy in the
night. |
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Beaches in Sri Lanka |
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ARUGAMBAY, is the most famous
surfing location in Sri Lanka and its
popularity has grown on an international
level to make it a key location on the
international surfing circuit. Although the
surf is not in the same league as that found
in Hawaii and Australia, the bay offers good
all-round right-breaking waves of up to 1.6
meters, making it an ideal place for beginners, and with a consistent water
temperature of 24-28
0C,
there is no need for wetsuits! As an
alternative to surfing, early morning canoe
rides in the lagoon are an exciting way of
observing lotus flowers, mangroves and the
bio-diversity of birds in an incredible
setting. When taking the very narrow
channels, with walls of vegetation to each
side, one can encounter bathing elephants a
few meters from your canoe. For the more
cautious customer, it is possible to
restrict canoeing to interconnected large
ponds that will take you right up to the
ocean. |
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Beruwela is a famous Beach
Resorts with large number of Hotels,
providing star class facilities. The Beach
is safe and nice as a coral reef break the
waves. Beruwela is famous for water sports
in the sea and the Bentota River. Sailing,
Water-skiing, Para Sailing, water scooters,
Boat rides up stream of the river, are
available as well as Ayurvedic treatment.
Kechchimale Mosque is one of the oldest in
Sri Lanka. |
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On the South coast of Sri
Lanka lies the city of Bentota. The general
area of Bentota is interesting for birds.
On the shore Sea birds and Wanders are often
found. Including the rare Indian Heron and
Vegetation along the river harbors many
local species as well as winter migrants.
Many interesting sightseeing tours are
possible from here, such as the Turtle
Hatchery, Mask factory, Galle Fort, Mini
Zoo, Garden brief, Boat trips on Bentota
River etc. |
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HIKKADUWA, a town teeming
with life, exudes a character almost of its
own. It is patronized largely by low-budget
travelers attracted here by the lovely beach
and the pre-ponderance of sheao rest houses
and eating-places. Many of them are located
at the south end of the town in Narigama.
Sri Lanka’s answer to Bali’s Kuta Beach.
Bright batiks, masks, jewelry and other
crafts are sold all along Hikkaduw’s Galle
Road strip. But several higher quality
establishments, catering to the more moneyed
visitors, are also located in this town. |
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Surfers find the break at
Hikkaduwa to their fancy. A large number of
visitors take to the water with snorkel and
mask to view the underwater attractions of
the country’s best known coral gardens.
Glass-bottomed boats are available for hire
to those not inclined to make a dive.
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KALPITIYA, despite its
natural beauty, the western peninsular area
of Kalpitiya in the Puttalam district of Sri
Lanka is remarkably untouched by tourism.
But for those lucky enough to visit, there
is a multitude of things to see and do! With
the small close-knit fishing community
dominating the lives of the local people,
visitors can get a real insight into the
working life away from the city. After
watching the night fishing boats return in
the morning, a visit to one of the fish
markets offers the opportunity to choose the
evening meal direct from the fresh catch!
The Dutch Fort and St Peter’s Kerk church in
the town itself are interesting examples of
Sri Lanka’s rich history and colonial past.
Leisurely boat rides up the lagoon and canoe
trips down the river are a pleasant way of
exploring the coastline, whilst 4WD rides
along the deserted sand dunes between the
ocean and the lagoon offer a unique way of
watching the colorful evening sunset. For
keen scuba divers and snorkellers, the
largest coral reef in Sri Lanka (‘bar reef’)
is only an hour’s boat trip from Kalpitiya.
This beautiful reef is home to an incredible
variety of tropical fish as well as offering
sightings of manta rays, reef sharks and
Grouper the occasional turtle! |
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REKAWA, is a small
fishing village located about 10 km east of
the south coast town of Tangalla. Asian
Adventures works closely with the TCP
(Turtle Conservation Project) in their
‘Turtle Watch’ programme on the Rekawa beach
where visitors can observe the ancient
ritual of turtles coming ashore and laying
eggs. This pioneering conservation programme
was started in 1996 to protect sea turtles
in their natural habitat while providing an
alternative source of income to people
formerly dependent on the illegal collection
of turtle eggs. Five out of the seven
species of marine turtles that are familiar
(but endangered) come to nest in this part
of the Sri Lankan coastline, making it an
ideal location to marvel at one of nature’s
most fascinating processes! |
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TRINCOMALEE,
(more commonly known as ‘Trinco’) is located
on the northeast coast of Sri Lanka and
offers some of the country’s most attractive
beaches such as ‘Uppuveli’ and ‘Nilaveli’.
Fine white-sand and crystal clear water
provides an irresistible combination that
won’t fail to disappoint any visitor!
Snorkeling around the famous Pigeon Island
just off Nilaveli beach is widely recognized
to be a ‘must-do’ activity during a stay in
Trinco. Windsurfing is also a very popular
activity in the area. Away from the beaches,
the town has one of the most interesting and
complex colonial histories in the whole of
Sri Lanka, with its ownership changing
between the king of Kandy, the Dutch, the
British and the French on a number of
different occasions! Even during the recent
war, the area’s beauty continued to attract
many travelers and since the peace
resolution in 2002, visitors have increased
in their numbers. |
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Cultural Sites in Sri Lanka |
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Anuradhapura has been the greatest city of
all. It remained the capital of Sri Lanka
for about 1400 years. Its ruin’s today
displays infinite details of rare beauty,
delicately set in the world’s mightiest
masses of monumental masonry second only to
the Pyramids of Egypt. The best time to
visit Anuradhapura is during "Poson Poya"
June - the most sacred place is the "Sri
Maha Bodhiya". Worship at the bo tree has
continued unbroken for 23 centuries. |
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Famous for a 1st century B.C.
Cave Temple complex, which is an
archaeological treasure. The rock temple is
a series of caves (05), which has a painted
area of more than 20,000 sq. ft of stunning
Buddhist murals. A huge 47 ft. rock cut of a
sleeping Buddha dominates the main cave. |
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Polonnaruwa – Sri Lanka’s medieval capital
[11th-12th century A.D]
is a well-preserved metropolis of buildings
and shrines. The majestic King’s council
chamber, the rock cut Lotus Bath, the statue
of one of Polonnaruwa’s great king’s,
Parakramabahu and the rock cut sculptures of
the Gal Vihare (temple) are a few of this
capital’s memorable sights. The Gal Vihara
of Polonnaruwa is a brilliant structure best
known for it’s Buddha sculptures. It was
once known as the northern shrine,
“Uttararama” of Parakramabahu. However, its
modern name “Gal Vihara” simply means Rock
Temple. It comprises of four mid-12th
century statues of Buddha, cut from a single
granite wall, and is ranked as one of the
best masterpieces of Sri Lankan Art. A “Sea
of Parakrama”, a vast 12th
century man-made reservoir also dominates
the city. |
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Sigiriya is a fascinating fortress, which
was a stronghold of a fifth century king who
murdered his father. The red stone rises 600
feet from the green scrub jungle it is
famous for its frescoes painted within a
sheltered rock. Only 19 out of the 500
painted in the 5th century
remain. The Lion stairway, the mirror wall
and the water gardens are amongst Sigiriya’s
other highlights. |
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Hill County in Sri Lanka |
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Kandy – the royal city,
nestling amidst the mid-country hills was
the last seat of the Sinhalese King, Sri
Wickremarajasinghe. Every visit to Sri
Lanka should include its second largest
city, Kandy; the Sinhalese cultural and
spiritual centre – made even more appealing
by its comfortable climate. It is the home
of the sacred temple in which is enshrined
the Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha. Kandy is
also famous for its art and crafts and
ancient dance forms. Visit the beautiful
Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya on the
banks of the Sri Lanka’s longest river. |
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It’s biggest attraction is
the annual Kandy Esala Perahera (an
elaborate religious procession to honour the
sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha), a
magnificent elephant procession – which
fills the town to bursting point with
tourists from all over the world. Thousands
of dancers and more than 100 elephants make
it one of the highlights of the Sri Lankan
year. |
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The three 14th
century temples of great importance are a
short distance from Peradeniya, namely;
Gadaladeniya Vihara, Lankathilaka Vihara and
Embekke |
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The British rulers modeled
Nuwara Eliya on an English Village in the
early 19th century, with homes
and buildings in styles from Georgian to
Queen Anne. It is based on 1890 meters (6199
ft) above sea level. Cool rugged and
picturesque, it is set in the heart of the
tea country. Throughout the surrounding you
will come across beautiful waterfalls
cascading hundreds of feet down
mountainsides. One of the biggest
attractions in Nuwara Eliya is the 18-hole
golf course, one of Asia’s finest. |
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A few miles from Nuwara Eliya
is a prominent peak, Hakgala. At its foot
lies the "Hakgala Botanical Gardens". The
gardens are smaller and less exotic than
those at Peradeniya, but at 5600 feet
elevation the species of flora are quite
different. The sheer rock of Hakgala (“Jaw
Rock"), which rises 1500 feet straight up
above the gardens, is said to have been
carried here from Himalayas in the jaws of
Hanuman, the mythical monkey General who
helped Prince Rama rescue Princess Sita from
the demon king Rawana in the Ramayana epic. |
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Adam’s Peak Wilderness
Sanctuary (Sri Pada),
the key attraction is the peak itself. The
2,243-meter peak has a great significance
for various different religions. The huge
footprint at the summit is believed by
Buddhists to be that of Lord Buddha (‘Sri
Pada’), whilst Christians suggest that it
was where Adam first set foot on earth, and
Hindus claim that it belongs to Lord Shiva.
As a result, the peak has been a pilgrimage
centre for over 1000 years. Whatever its
religious significance, this famous landmark
offers some breathtaking views of the hill
country. The majority of climbers begin
their ascent at night in order to arrive at
the top in time for a sunrise spectacular
when the mystical shadow of the peak is
perfectly cast across the clouds. It is one
of those truly unique moments that will live
on in your memory long after the aches and
pains from the climb have gone! In addition
to Adam’s Peak itself, the Peak Wilderness
Sanctuary offers some superb nature trails
through tropical rainforests, across rivers
and past lush tea plantations. |
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Kital-Ella,
is situated in a pretty
hillside near BANDARAWELA, Kital - Ella is
named after the Sinhalese word for a
particular tree called “kitul” and
waterfall, which means”Ella”. It is situated
approximately 10 km from Bandarawela town. |
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In a very attractive location
overlooking the ‘Namunukula’ mountain range.
At an altitude of 1,230 meters, the area has
an extremely pleasant climate, with warm
(but not humid) days and cool nights. The
environment is remarkably varied with
something to satisfy everyone’s taste. One
can choose to wander through the lush tea
plantations, paddy fields and vegetable
plots, marvel at the many waterfalls or
explore the dense forests of pine trees. For
the more adventurous, the area offers some
fantastic bike and hiking trails with
unbeatable views of the surrounding
mountains and into the famous ‘Ella Gap’. |
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National Parks in Sri Lanka |
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Bundala National Park,
covering an area of 6216 hectares, is
located about 250km southeast of Colombo in
the Hambantota district. The park falls
within the southeastern arid zone of Sri
Lanka, with a general climate that can be
classified as hot and dry. The terrain is
generally flat with sand dunes bordering the
coastline, and vegetation consists mainly of
dry thorny scrublands and lagoons. A total
of 383 plant species have been recorded from
the park, including 6 endemics and 7 species
considered as nationally threatened. It is
also home to 32 different species of
mammals, 5 of which are classified as
threatened. For keen birdwatchers, the
complex wetland system harbours a rich bird
life (approximately 197 species), including
several species of migratory species. This
has led to the declaration of the park as
Sri Lanka’s first ‘Ramsar’ wetland – one of
great international importance especially
for migratory species. |
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Gal Oya National Park,
lies in the southeast of the island and to
the west of Ampara. It was established in
1954 by the Gal Oya Development Board mainly
to protect the catchment area of the
‘Senanayake Samudra’ Reservoir, and then
handed over to the department of Wildlife
Conservation in 1965. About 45% of the park
is covered by forest and savanna areas take
up a further 33%. The 25,900-hectare park
has about 32 species of mammals including
common langur, endemic toque macaque,
leopard, sloth bear, elephant, wild boar,
water buffalo and 3 species of deer. For
birding enthusiasts, approximately 150 of
Sri Lanka’s 430 species of birds have been
observed in this region. |
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Horton Plains National Park,
is undoubtedly one of the world’s best
nature reserves. It is characterized by a
beautiful landscape of rolling hills,
covered in upper mountain forest and wet
patana grasslands. In general, the forests
are seen on the hilltops or upper slopes,
and the grasslands in the valleys and lower
slopes, eventually giving way to wetland
habitats. Spanning approximately 10,000
hectares the park is also home to a wide
variety of flora (57 species, 29 endemic to
Sri Lanka) and 24 species of mammals such as
elk, deer, giant squirrel, wild boar, hare,
porcupine and leopard. For bird enthusiasts,
there are 87 species (14 of which are
endemic), including many migratory birds.
The Plains also feature many interesting
attractions such as ‘Baker’s Falls’,
‘Chimmini Pool’ and the famous ‘World’s End’
(a 3700 ft sheer drop that offers fabulous
views of the tea estates below and all the
way out to the distant southern coastline). |
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Kaudulla National Park,
Declared opened in 2002, is Sri Lanka’s
newest National Park. Situated around the
ancient Kaudulla tank, the park provides a
6656-hectare elephant corridor, only 6 km
from off the main Habarana–Trincomalee road.
With fantastic opportunities to see many
elephants at close range, the park has
become a popular destination for wildlife
safaris and also viewing leopards, sambar
deer and the occasional sloth bear! You can
also experience a catamaran rides on the
tank. |
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Kumana National Park,
(a.k.a. ‘Yala East’) Located in the
southeast corner of Sri Lanka, the 18,149
hectare is a well-known bird sanctuary where
a multitude of birds breed and roost. One of
the most significant features of the park is
the ‘Kumana Villu’ - a 200-hectare natural
swamp lake, fed by the ‘Kumbukkan Oya’
through a half-mile long narrow channel. It
is at this mangrove swamp that many water
birds nest in May and June. Regular
sightings include pelicans, painted storks,
spoonbills, white ibis, herons, egrets and
little cormorants. The very rare
black-necked stork has also been spotted.
Besides the prolific birdlife, Kumana is
also home to some of the mammals found in
the larger YALA (West) park, such as
elephants and leopards. The vegetation in
Kumana consists mainly of mangrove trees,
kumbuk trees and the karan fern, as well as
the open marsh area.
* For bird watching enthusiasts, this park
is an ‘absolute must’. |
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Minneriya National Park,
Located between Habarana and Polonnaruwa,
the 8,890 hectares National Park consists of
mixed forest and scrub areas and is home to
sambar, leopards and elephants. However the
central feature of the park is the ancient
Minneriya Tank (built in 3rd
century AD by King Mahasena). During the dry
season (June to September), this tank is an
incredible place to observe the elephants
that come to water and graze, as well as the
huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted
storks to name a few) that come to feed in
the shallow waters. |
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Udawalawe National Park,
is located approximately 200 km southeast of
Colombo. The 30,821-hectare dry zone game
park has an annual rainfall of 1,524 mm and
an average temperature of 29.40C.
It is most famous for elephants (about 400
in total). During a visit, it is not unusual
to see herds – adults and young, feeding and
bathing or playing in the water! In addition
to this main attraction, the park is home to
many water buffalo, water monitor lizards,
sambar, monkeys and the occasional leopard,
and an exciting location for bird
enthusiasts. A 4WD open-top safari is the
only way to see all the wonders this
protected reserve has to offer, and our
experienced and knowledgeable nature guides
will make this an unforgettable experience. |
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Wasgamuwa National Park,
located in the districts of Matale and
Polonnaruwa and bordered by the ‘Mahaweli’
and ‘Amban’ rivers, stretches an impressive
36,948 hectares. It was declared a National
Park in 1984, making it the only one in the
Central Province. Home to a huge variety of
flora and fauna (23 species of mammals –
including elephants and bears, 143 birds, 8
amphibians, 17 fresh water fishes, 17
reptiles, 50 butterflies and 150 plants),
this park is truly a paradise for the nature
lover. With
many small scale ancient tanks and several
other ruins and ancient religious sites the
park has significant historical importance.
For keen hikers, it is also home to the
‘Sudu Kanda’ mountain range (about 470m
above sea level). |
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Wilpattu National Park,
is located 26 km north of Puttalam
(approximately 180 km north of Colombo),
spanning an area that runs inland from the
northwest coast towards the ancient capital
of Anuradhapura (50 km to the east of the
park). Covering an impressive 425 sq miles,
the park is Sri Lanka’s largest. Having
reopened in 2003 it is now an increasingly
popular eco-tourism destination. Wilpattu is
a fairly thick dry zone jungle interspersed
with a number of flood plain lakes banked
with delicate white sands. It boasts an
impressive variety of flora in huge expanses
of forest, and varied wildlife, including
deer, elephants, wild boar, sloth bears and
leopards. Wilpattu National Park is world
renowned for leopards. |
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Yala National Park, lays 24km northeast of Tissamaharama and 290km
from Colombo on the southeast coast of Sri
Lanka, spanning a vast 97,878 hectares over
the Southern and Uva Provinces. The
vegetation in the park comprises
predominantly of semi-arid thorny scrub,
interspersed with pockets of fairly dense
secondary forest. Small patches of mangrove
vegetation are found along the coastal
lagoons.
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The park is renowned for the variety of its
wildlife (most notably its many elephants)
and its fine coastline (associated with
beautiful coral reefs). It boasts of a large
number of important cultural ruins, bearing
testimony to earlier civilizations and
indicating that much of the area used to be
populated and well developed. |
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Special Interest Locations in Sri Lanka |
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Galle
the seaside town is famous for its
well-preserved 17th century Dutch
Fort, lace making and ebony carvings. The
journey to Galle is along the Palm fringed
coast passing Ambalangoda, famous for its
mask makers and Hikkaduwa with its
incredibly beautiful coral gardens and
exotic tropical fish. Seafood is a specialty
all the way. Another interesting place to
visit is a Turtle Hatchery. |
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Hambantota is the largest town on the
south-eastern coast and is a well sheltered
fishing port. Just outside the town are
saltpans where seawater is left to
evaporate, then carried by rail to salt
factories. The town also boasts the best
curd (a local yoghurt made out of buffalo
milk) and traditionally eaten with honey. |
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Negombo (North of Colombo) the major beach resort on the coast north of
Colombo is Negombo, popularly known as the
Fishing Village. Here is an old world
atmosphere of 17th century
churches that line the highway and forts.
The feast of St. Anne is celebrated here in
late July in a carnival atmosphere. Like
many other coastal towns in Sri Lanka,
Negombo was an important spice port long
before the Portuguese set foot on the
island. The Negombo Lagoon is a good place
to watch the Karava fisherman at work. These
fishermen bring their daily catch of fish,
crabs and prawns to the fish market. During
the day they are seen mending their nets on
the beach. |
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South
Coast
(Mount Lavinia, Wadduwa, Kalutara, Beruwela,
Aluthgama, Bentota, Induruwa, Kosgoda,
Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unuwatuna, Koggala,
Weligama, Dikwella, Tangalle)
All of these towns have very good beaches
and have an array of hotels to choose from.
Along the coast there are a variety of
activities including water sports, a visit
to the botanical gardens, river boat rides (Bentota);
a visit to a turtle hatchery (Bentota,
Induruwa & Kosgoda); glass bottom boat rides
to see corals, snorkelling, diving and
surfing (Hikkaduwa), or visiting a mask
museum & factory and lace factory. (Ambalangoda
– just before Hikkaduwa.) Of course, seafood
is predominant throughout.
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Buttala,
the area surrounding Buttala is part of the
Monaragala district in southeastern Sri
Lanka. According to the 5th century Buddhist
chronicle “Mahavamsa”, Buttala itself was
situated on the northern border of King
Dutugemunu's Ruhunu Kingdom as a defense
base to be used on his way to Anuradapura,
making it a location of considerable
cultural and historical importance. The
landscape is tremendously varied with
abandoned chena fields, irrigation tanks,
dense tall dry zone forests, thorny scrub
jungle, many flowering trees and rare
tropical woods (such as the protected ebony
tree). The region also provides an ideal
base from which to explore the famous Yala
National Park. The park was originally a
reserve for hunters, but it was declared a
protected area in 1900, a sanctuary in 1909,
and a national park in 1938. It is a
fascinating agglomeration of protected areas
and consists of a variety of different
ecosystems; essential for the diverse
wildlife that inhabits it. |
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Dambana,
is a remote jungle village of indigenous
people, situated about 300km from Colombo.
The population of these indigenous ‘Veddha’
people now consists of only about 350
families, a number significantly reduced
from a once thriving community. The
‘Veddha’ are so influenced by the imposing
dominant culture that they risk losing their
traditions and what has been their
livelihood for centuries. However, they
remain determined that their way of life
will continue into future generations. The
Chief himself told us on a recent visit to
the village that his main worry is that he
may not be able prevent the ‘Veddha’
traditions from dying out during his own
lifetime. Visitors to this fascinating
village have the opportunity to meet and
chat with the people who live there, learn
about their traditions, and gain a unique
insight into their way of life. Your visit
will also be of a direct financial benefit
to the community, as well as paying them a
rent for the campsite and a fee for their
involvement in the programme |
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Kalu
Ganga,
is a relatively slow flowing river for most
of the way, so there is no need for any
specialist canoeing skills. Along the route
you will be able to see many vegetation
types and changing landscapes. Just passing
the populated Ratnapura town area, the
riverbank environment becomes more scenic
and peaceful, with lonely sand collectors’
houses surrounded by thick vegetation and
palm trees! During most of the ride the only
noises you will hear are the birdcalls and
the sound of your paddle dipping into the
calm water. For a bit more adventure, it is
possible to continue down the river where
you will negotiate some basic rapids. The
journey finishes at the west coast town of
Kalutara, which is famous for its impressive
‘Gangatilaka Vihara’ (Buddhist shrine), fine
basket ware and the best mangosteens in Sri
Lanka! |
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Sinharaja
Rainforest,
is a world heritage site, which can also be
described as a Tropical Lowland Rainforest,
it is undoubtedly a rich treasure trove of
nature with a great diversity of habitats
and a vast repository of Sri Lanka’s endemic
species found nowhere else in the world.
Bird Watching in this ecosystem is
particularly interesting because it is home
to 95% of the endemic birds of Sri Lanka!
Named as a world heritage site in 1989, this
lowland evergreen rain forest is steeped in
deep legend and mystery. The word
‘Sinharaja’ means, Lion (Sinha) King (Raja),
and it is popular belief that the legendary
origin of the Sinhala people is from the
union between a princess and the lion king
who once lived in the forest! |
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The story of Mihintale is a story etched deep in the national
consciousness. It was at Mihintale that,
King Devanampiyatissa while on a deer hunt
with his attendants encountered the grandest
event in the history of this land – the
advent of Buddhism.
The Mihintale Mountain, less than 13 km from
Anuradhapura has never ceased to fascinate
both local and foreign visitors since it is
the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Visitors can join in the ascent of one of
the world’s most antiquated stone stairway
climbing 1840 steps to reach the summit. |
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The
main tourist attraction in Matale is the
handicrafts and Spice Gardens where one can
view various spices that have been grown. A
guided tour explains the herbal and
medicinal value of these spices. Matale is
also known to have some of the best
craftsmen in the country. Having learnt the
work from their ancestors, these talented
craftsmen strive to create works of art
making use of the traditional methods to
suit the modern day living styles. Apart
from spices and handicrafts, the colourful
batiks (a traditional Sri Lankan form of
hand painted designs onto cloth) are also a
great attraction. |
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Pinnawela
is situated 52 km away from Colombo. It is
an orphanage for baby elephants created by
the Department of National Zoological
Gardens. The orphanage was established to
feed, nurse and house young elephants found
abandoned by their mothers. Other inmates
are those displaced from their natural
environs by development projects or those
found wounded. It has been recorded that a
few baby elephants have been bred here in
captivity. |
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Visit
the gemming area, panning of gems, watching
men at work with their age-old customs and
rituals. Experience the thrill of unearthing
a priceless treasure. Visit a gem cutting
and polishing centre and the gem museum.
View an exhibition of Sri Lankan Gems. |
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