Introducing Sri Lanka
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.
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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.
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Last updated: Mar 23, 2012
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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8 months travel - Africa & Asia - What backpack & camera
by mrjoemorgan 27 May 2012
Hey all, October 3rd I am going to start the first leg of my around the world travels. I have never travelled before, but is somethin…
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Re: Transporting Bicycles In Sri Lanka
by 1234sunshine 27 May 2012
Major city like Colombo and certain parts of Negombo and Kandy have street lights. But in major areas of the city/town only. So be prepared…
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Transporting Bicycles In Sri Lanka
by 1234sunshine 27 May 2012
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Hotels & Hostels
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Galle Fort Hotel
Galle
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Sri Lanka
Things to do
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Our Top Picks For Sri Lanka
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1 Ancient Cities
Visit Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya – the magnificent relics of Sri Lanka's golden age
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2 Arugam Bay
A wonderfully easy-going beach village offering Sri Lanka's best surfing, great lagoon trips and ample wildlife-spotting opportunities
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3 Ella
This sleepy village-with-a-view is the perfect base for walks through tea plantations to temples and waterfalls
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4 Yala National Park
Take a wildlife safari – it's your best chance to spot the elusive leopard
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5 Horton's Plains & World's End
Beautiful, silent and strange, these sweeping plains come to a breathtaking vertical drop – a classic sunrise walk
Fast Facts about Sri Lanka
- Number of waterfalls
103
- Highest waterfall
Bambarakanda Falls (240m)
- Population
21.1 million
- Tip top sportsman Muttiah Muralitharan (spin bowler)
- Cost of a new three-wheeler
US$3500
- Adult literacy
female 90%, male 95%
- Life expectancy
female 77, male 73
- Population density per sq km
Colombo 2500 people, dry zone less than 50.
Our favourite Sri Lanka Blogs (beta)
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Water Sports Around the World
Blog: Canada's Adventure Couple - 18 April 2012
This spring, we asked our readers to help us choose where American Express should send us on our next adventure: Our next trip is on water and we have put together our top choices for water sports around the world.
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Sunrise over Sri Lanka
Blog: Canada's Adventure Couple - 16 April 2012
As we reached the summit of Adams Peak innSri Lanka we were treated to an amazing sunrise. Suddenly the agonizing climb up those steep stairs seemed worth it.As the chill in the air faded the warmth of the sun hit our faces.
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Photo Essay: Day Trip to Galle, Sri Lanka
Blog: GoBackpacking - 28 March 2012
alle, located South of Colombo, was once the most powerful and most influential port on the island of Sri Lanka. The city has a fascinating history. Long ago Galle was known as Tarshish, the city where ancient King Solomon obtained some of his exotic supplies. Many years later, the Portuguese landed in Galle and transformed the city [...]
