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Travel Information on Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka (LK)
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| Continent: |
Asia |
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| Area: |
65.610 km² |
| Population: |
202.222 |
| Capital city: |
Colombo |
ISO code: |
LK |
| National language: |
Sinhala, Tamil |
International dialling code: |
+94 |
| Currency: |
Sri Lankan Rupee |
License plate number: |
CL |
| Flight routes from Sri Lanka: |
230 |
Flight routes to Sri Lanka: |
282 |
| Popular airports: |
Colombo Ratmalana (RML),
Weerawila (WRZ),
Colombo (CMB),
Bentota River Airport (BJT),
Mawella Lagoon (DIW),
Koggala (KCT),
Jaffna Kankesantu (JAF)
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| Large cities: |
Colombo,
Galkissa,
Moratuwa,
Jaffna,
Negombo,
Pita Kotte,
Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte,
Kandy,
Trincomalee,
Kalmunai,
Galle,
Point Pedro,
Batticaloa,
Katunayaka,
Valvedditturai
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| Airlines based in Sri Lanka: |
SriLankan Airlines,
Aero Lanka/Serendib Express
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Travelguide Sri Lanka (Asia)
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The Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) is a South Asian country in the Indian Ocean. The island is located south east of the Indian sub-continent and is separated from India by the Palk Strait, a 50 km long island chain and the Gulf of Mannar.
Geography: the countryside in Sri Lanka is very diverse for such a small area. There are green lush hills, rushing waterfalls, wide plains, tea plantations and rice terraces, palm-fringed beaches and dream lagoons. Then there is the rich culture with countless temples and monuments. The north is characterised by the wide plains that extend from the edge of the central mountainous region to the Jaffna peninsula. Gentle hills and the beautiful beaches on the south coast, on the other hand, dominate the south.
Mountains and rivers: the highest point of the country is Pidurutalagala in the central highlands with an altitude of 2,534 metres (8,313 ft). It is in the vicinity of the town of Nuwara Eliya and cannot be climbed, as it is part of a military zone. A well-known mountain that can be climbed is Sri Pada (2,245 metres; 7,365 ft) in the central highlands. For over 1000 years it has been an important pilgrim destination and the destination of all religious communities is a hollow in a stone on the summit that is enclosed by a shrine. Buddhists believe the 180 m deep hollow to be the footprint of the Buddha, Hindus see it as an imprint of Shiva and Christians and Muslims regard it as a sign left by Adam. According to Buddhist belief, every believer should have climbed this mountain once in his or her lifetime and during the pilgrim season between January and April tens of thousands ascend the mountain in order to place their sacrifice on the shrine. The longest river in Sri Lanka is Mahaweli, with its source in the central highlands and ending up in the Indian Ocean.
Climate and best time to travel: the climate on the island is, as a rule, tropical with differing amounts of rainfall and with warm temperatures all year round. The south-west of the country normally has a very high air humidity throughout the year, the east on the other hand is drier. .
Language and communication: the official and national language is Singhalese; in the northern part of the island it is Tamil. Tradesmen and those involved in the tourist business
tend to understood English.
Health and vaccinations: vaccination against hepatitis A, typhoid, diphtheria, polio and tetanus is recommended. Long clothing should be worn to provide protection against mosquitoes and other insects, and a locally purchased insect repellent should also be used. There is a danger of contracting a serious malaria infection in Sri Lanka, please see your GP for anti-malaria medication before travelling. Medical care is only just sufficient in the larger cities and the tourist resorts. Visitors are advised to take out a comprehensive medical and travel insurance that covers repatriation costs. A first aid kit should also be packed and fruit and vegetables peeled or boiled before eating.
Entry requirements: British nationals require a visa to enter Sri Lanka. For visits of 30 days or less, a visa may be obtained on arrival, but this cannot be extended. Outstaying your visa will result in a fine. For all other visas contact the Sri Lankan High Commission/Embassy before travelling. Passports should be valid for at least six months after the end of your intended stay.
Arrival and onward journey: Sri Lanka may be easily reached from all parts of the world. The best connections are offered by Sri Lankan Airline (UL), as it flies non-stop to Colombo (CMB).
Capital city: the capital Colombo is on the west coast and the seat of Government. The city has been well known as a port since the 5th century and served as a trading point in the Indian Ocean for Roman, Arab and Chinese tradesmen. The centre of the city is still near the old fortress, and is the service and business district of the city. The old lighthouse, the seat of the president, numerous colonial buildings and the twin towers also known as the world trade centre, the second highest building in South East Asia.
Places of interest and beaches: architecture and art in Sri Lanka are strongly influenced by Buddhism. Many stupa and Buddhist statues may be seen throughout the country. The most impressive and most worth seeing are in the old capital cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, but Kandy is today the liveliest cultural centre of the country.
Anuradhapura was the first capital city of the former kingdom and is today the most significant antique centre of the island. The Singhal kings ruled from here for over 1000 years. The impressive remains were discovered in the 19th century and were maintained by ongoing restoration work. 1500 years ago the city had the same area as Paris does today and was home to half a million people.
Polonnaruwa was the second antique capital and has king Parakrama Bahu to thank for its fame. Parakrama Bahu built many impressive temple buildings, Buddha figures and reservoirs here in the 12th century. 100 years later, threatened by the Tamil, the Singhalese gave up the royal city on the manmade Parakama Samudra Lake and left the city to the jungle. For years, researchers have been excavating the site for archaeological treasures on behalf of UNESCO.
A top tourist attraction is the rock fortress of Sigiriya. It was built on the top of a 200 metre high rock in the 5th century to defend the city from invaders. The water gardens and the rock paintings with the opulent curves of the cloud girls are still intact. The rock offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Nature and animal lovers will come into their own in the Yala West National park. The park is in the south east of the island and offers a good opportunity to watch elephants, leopards, bears, stags, deer, wild boars, buffalo and wild peacocks.
The most important destination for the European is the paradise coast of the island. Sri Lanka has a total length of 1600 km of palm-fringed beaches with warm and clear water and colourful coral reefs. All beaches are ideal for swimming, and the town of Hikkaduwa in particular has the best diving, snorkelling and surfing conditions.
Highlight: the idyllic city of Kandy is located amongst the picturesque hilly countryside in the central highlands on the banks of the Kandy Lake. The main and at the same time the most significant attraction in Kandy is the Dalada Maligawa temple. It is home to the most important relic of the Buddhist population: a molar tooth that is alleged to have belonged to the Buddha and today represents the national pride. Believers from the whole world now come to Kandy in their white cloaks bringing lotus flowers to the shrine. There is also a large hall in the temple with many Buddha statues from several countries. Once a year in August the Kandy Perahera takes place here. The city is then transformed into a Mecca for thousands of people and a copy of the tooth is carried through the streets on the back of a particularly well-trained elephant and shown to the population. Other places of interest in the vicinity of Kandy are the Botanical Garden in Peradeniya and the elephant orphanage in Pinnawela.
Religion: the state religion in Sri Lanka is Buddhism with about 70 % believers. 15% of the Tamil population belong to the Hindu faith and there are also Muslim and Christian believers.
Major Cities and accommodation: Colombo, Dehiwala, Moratuwa, Jaffna, Negombo, Cafvakachcheri, Kandy and Trincomalee.
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Favorite flights and cheap flights from and to Sri Lanka / LK
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