Introducing Sri Lanka
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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.
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.
Last updated: Jun 1, 2011
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Two weeks in Sri Lanka
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Two months in Sri Lanka - imaginative itinerary suggestions?
by ach82000 14 September 2011
Sorry to say no way you can survive on this budget.If you eat rice and curry only(cheapest meal you would get here) without any beverages…
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RE: 5 weeks in India
by happyhannaho 14 September 2011
Pirate_at_50- thanks for your info, I don't want to miss out on India, so I'll leave out Sri Lanka this time....
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where to travel after Sri Lanka......
by soozeq 14 September 2011
Hi, Im going to travel Sri Lanka in January and only have a one way ticket...has anyone got any suggestions where to travel afterwards...iv…
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Sri Lanka
Things to do
- All things to do (599)
- Activities (64)
- Entertainment (59)
- Restaurants (162)
- Shopping (74)
- Sights (236)
- Tours (4)
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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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The South Coast: Tangalle, Unawatuna, Galle
Blog: London Cosmopolitan - 27 January 2012
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The Hill Country: Ella
Blog: London Cosmopolitan - 22 January 2012
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A Pilgrimage to Adam's Peak
Blog: London Cosmopolitan - 20 January 2012
