Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), a tiny island nation south of India in the Indian Ocean, is a rugged land of rainforest, diverse wildlife and endless beaches. It’s famed for its ancient Buddhist ruins, including the 5th-century citadel Sigiriya, with its palace and frescoes, and the sacred city of Anuradhapura. Its flavorful cuisine reflects its history as a maritime hub and cultural melting pot. Sri Lanka is really a country like no other. Culturally and naturally rich, the island has long been famous for its precious gems. Through history this southern neighbour of India has been conquered by Indians, Portuguese, Dutch and British who left their marks here, making for a delightful mix of ancient cities, monuments and atmospheric colonial architecture.

Set in the Indian Ocean in South Asia, the tropical island nation of Sri Lanka has a history dating back to the birth of time. It is a place where the original soul of Buddhism still flourishes and where nature’s beauty remains abundant and unspoilt.Few places in the world can offer the traveller such a remarkable combination of stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, captivating cultural heritage and unique experiences within such a compact location. Within a mere area of 65,610 kilometres lie 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1,330 kilometres of coastline – much of it pristine beach – 15 national parks showcasing an abundance of wildlife, nearly 500,000 acres of lush tea estates, 250 acres of botanical gardens, 350 waterfalls, 25,000 water bodies, to a culture that extends back to over 2,500 years.This is an island of magical proportions, once known as Serendib, Taprobane, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, and Ceylon. Discover refreshingly Sri Lanka!

The Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka, a jewel suspended like a pendant by an invisible thread from the Indian sub-continent, can trace its history back through the mists of time. Legend has it that the island was the original Garden of Eden and that Adam left an impression of his foot on the mountain known as Adam’s Peak. Pilgrims climb the steep path to the summit every year during the dry season. From the north, where once the trading town of Jaffna prospered, to the Bay of Trincomalee, through to Galle in the south, history abounds. In the 6th century B.C an Indo-Aryan Prince, Vijaya, the founder of the Singhalese people came down from northern India. Claiming descent from a lion, Singha, these ‘lion people’ settled on the island and proceeded to build impressive cities, canals, lakes and, indeed, a whole culture.

Tourism is one of the major industries here and it took a major hit after the 2004 Tsunami which ravaged the coastline of the island. But the lure of this beautiful land draws tourists again. The beautiful beaches, tropical forests, ancient culture and heritage sites are just some reasons to visit the country. In ancient times the Arabs referred to this island as Serendib, the origin of the word ‘serendipity’. The name Sri Lanka means ‘resplendent land’ and the island nation truly lives up to the epithet. A multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society, the native Sinhalese in Sri Lanka is predominantly Buddhist but there is a Tamil minority which adheres to Hinduism. . Traditional arts and crafts like woodcarving, weaving, pottery and metalwork are highly developed. The archaeological sites show Buddhist, Hindu and colonial heritage of the nation.

There are Dutch forts and churches as well as British clubs and courthouses. There are seven World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka, which include ancient cities, temples and the Sinharaja rainforests. Kandy, with the 16th Century Temple of the Tooth; Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first capital city; Galle, Negombo and Pollonaruwa; Adam’s Peak, just out of Colombo; Sigiriya Fort, and so goes on the long list. The warm and friendly people are unassuming and befriend the tourist easily and make you feel at home. The Sri Lankan cuisine is irresistible. And then of course, there’s enough sun and surf here for an ideal beach holiday.

Bentota and Hikkaduwa are two of the famous spots, but luxurious beach resorts are located all over the country and are perfect destinations for rest and relaxation. Adventure sports facilities here are topnotch, from windsurfing, diving and snorkeling to rafting, canoeing and trekking, there are thrills galore! The 103 rivers and streams in Sri Lanka create some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Sri Lanka is indeed a photo opportunity of a lifetime with it natural wealth and cultural beauty. It has many national parks and sanctuaries with exotic wildlife like Elephants, Leopards, Sloth Bears and a great variety of tropical birds.