Asia: Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Nature and Environment, Sand and Surf

Negombo
Distance from Colombo: 35km
A characteristic fishing town north of Colombo, it is a mere 6 km from the international airport. Set amidst lush groves of coconut palms, it breathes the spirit of the sea. Negombo is a gourmet’s paradise with sea food in plenty. Old - world fishing craft, like the outrigger canoe and the catamaran, bring seer, skipjack, herring, mullet, pomfret and amber jack, while lobster and prawn are caught in the lagoon.

Mount Lavinia
Distance from Colombo: 12km
Mount Lavinia is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the sea. The beach is crowded on Sundays and public holidays with large crowds gathered to participate in many beach sports activities such as swimming, surfing etc. The Governors House built in 1805 by Sir Thomas Maitland, now forms part of the famous Mount Lavinia Hotel.

Kalutara
Distance from Colombo: 42km
An important spice-trading centre controlled at various times by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Today it has a reputation for fine basket ware (visit basket hall) and also for the best mangosteens on the island. Immediately south of the Kalu Ganga Bridge on the main road is the Gangatil Vihara, which has a hollow dagoba (Buddhist shrine) with an interesting painted terior. By the roadside there’s a small shrine and bodhi tree where drivers often stop to make offerings to ensure a safe journey to Wadduwa is 8kim north of Kalutara.

Beruwela
Distance from Colombo: 55km
South of Colombo, Beruwela marks the beginning of a 130 km-stretch of beaches, where resort development has made immense strides in recent years. Good bathing in the bay all year round.

Bentota
Distance from Colombo: 62km
Bentota Resort complex is a romantic rendezvous of river and sea with several hotels, railway station, post office, shopping arcade, cafeteria and an open - air theatre showing folk and mask dancing with clusters of palms overlooking everything.

Hikkaduwa
Distance from Colombo: 206km
The first area to be developed for Tourism, this is still one of the most popular of our beach resorts. Hikkaduwa is famous for its coral and sub tropical fish. The reef, which runs parallel to the shore and is only a few meters below the water, can be investigated with snorkel and flippers, or in a glass-bottomed boat. There are several wrecks in the area which offer interesting dives. Scuba equipment and the services of licensed instructors are on hire from PADI centres. A little further down the coast, there’s good surf for board or body-surfing. There is a generally a community of international surfers in and around Hikkaduwa.

Galle
Distance from Colombo: 116km
South of Colombo, Galle is the most important southern town. It has an old world charm. Believed to be the “Tarshish of the Bible”, its natural harbour was a famous fort in days gone by. Galle is famous for its Dutch fort, lace making, ebony carving and gem polishing.

Koggala
Distance from Colombo: 130km
Koggala beach is about 12kms south of Galle. Stilt -Fisherman are a familiar sight here.

Arugam Bay
Distance from Colombo: 116km
Arugam Bay is a fishing village 3km south of the small town of Pottuvil at the remote southern end of the east coast. It probably has the best surf in Sri Lanka, which forms near a low promontory a little further south, and because of this it has developed into a hang-out for low-budget travellers. There’s a wide, sweeping beach in front of the village itself which is good for swimming; and south of the surf promontory a long, deserted beach leads down to ‘Crocodile Rock’, from where wild elephants can quite often be seen. The best period for surfing is between April and September and during this ‘season’ the number of travellers – most of whom are diehard surfers – visiting the area increases. When the season ends the place empties and some guesthouses and restaurants shut up shop, but this may be just what you’re after.

Since the troubles began, Arugam Bay has been on and off the ‘safe’ list, not only because of incidents in Arugam Bay itself and Pottuvil.

Nelaveli
Distance from Trincomalee: 14km
Nilaveli is a prime beach resort in the East Coast. It is ideally suited for sun bathing, sea bathing and diving. A few metres off shore are a small rocky island good for snorkelling. Nilaveli was the venue for the 1985 International Fun Board Championships


Sri Lanka’s Ancient Cities and Sites

Dalada Maligawa
Kandy’s main attraction is the Dalada Maligawa, the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Brought to Sri Lanka in the 4th c. A.D., the sacred relic has ever since been the symbol of sovereignty for its rulers and always enshrined in great splendour. Kandy’s Dalada Maligawa is a magnificent shrine, with decorative walls, moat, turrets, golden roof and fine wood-work and its 16th – 19th century ambience vividly alive. Three religious services (pooja) with traditional music, held daily at dawn, mid-day and in the evening, can be viewed by visitors.

Kelaniya Temple
This temple, consecrated during the third and final visit of Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka, eight years after gaining enlightenment, is situated 7 miles from Colombo in Gampaha District on the banks of the Kelaniya River. Its history goes back nearly 2,563 years. The Mahawansa records that the original Dagoba at Kelaniya enshrined a gem-studded throne on which the Buddha sat and preached. The temple is also famous for its image of the reclining Buddha and paintings which depict important events in the life of the Buddha, in the history of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, also incidents from the Jataka tales. lt is the venue of the annual Duruthu Perahera held in the month of January.

Adam’s Peak
It is believed that Lord Buddha during his third visit to Sri Lanka placed his footprint on the summit of this sacred mountain. So, the name Sri Pada the sacred footprint. This mountain is also known as Samantakuta, Sumanakuta, Samanalakanda, Samanhela, Samangira, Medumhelaya etc. The Christians call the mountain Adam's Peak, derived from the Portuguese Pico de Adam (Peak of Adam). It is 7,360 feet in height and is the forth highest mountain in the country and has several approaches, the main ones being through the Hatton town and Ratnapura District. Annually, from December to April, devotees climb the mountain to pay obeisance.

Sigiriya Rock
The history of Sigiriya dates back to over 5000 thousand years, to the Mesolithic period. One of SriLanka’s major attractions and a World Heritage Site, Sigiriya (Lion Rock) came into prominence in the 5th centaury AD, when the patricidal King Kasyapa, afraid of reprisals led by his half - brother, Mogolan, chose to move the seat of power from Anuradhapura to this 500m rock. It was Kasyapa and his master-builders who were responsible for the complex plan which made Sigiriya the glorious capital it was, for 17 years (477 – 495 AD). The frescoes of the ‘heavenly maidens ‘halfway up the rock in a sheltered gallery, are the only painted renderings of a secular subject in this country. The “mirror wall", which records the poetic outpourings of early visitors to the rock and the colossal plan of the royal palace, water gardens and fortifications, is entirely fascinating.

Gal Viharaya
Located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa and built in the 12th century A.D by the great King Parakramabahu the 1st. It is a group of Buddha images that probably mark the high point of Sinhalese rock carving. The Gal Viharaya consists of four separate images of different postures carved and cut from one long slab of granite.


First is a samadhi image in meditation posture, while the second is inside a cave and the third is a standing Buddha image which is 23 ft in height and the forth is a recumbent Buddha image measuring 46 feet, depicting the passing away.

Buduruwagala Rock Sculptures
Located 5kms south of Wellawaya a side road branches west off the road to Tissa to the rock cut Buddha figures of Buduruwagala. Buduruwagala means stone images of Buddha. The figures dates back to 10th century AD, and are of the Mahayana Buddhist school. The gigantic Buddha statue still bears traces of its original stuccoed robe and a long streak of orange suggests it was once brightly painted. The central of the three figures to the Buddha’s right is thought to be the Buddhist mythological figure, the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. To the left of this white painted figure is a female figure in the thrice-bent posture, who is thought to be his consort, Tara. The three figures on the Buddha’s left appear to an inexpert eye to be of a rather different style. One of them is holding up the hourglass shaped Tibetan thunderbolt symbol known as a dorje – an unusual example of the Tantric side of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. One of them is said to be Maitreya, the figure Buddha, while another is Vishnu.

Tirukoneswaram Kovil
At the north-eastern most tip of the Fort Frederick's promontory is a cliff known as Swami Rock, dropping about 360 feet directly into the sea. On its topmost pinnacle is the Tirukonesvaram Kovil , destroyed by the Portuguese though the Kovil was restored and completed in 1963.Three ancient bronze images and a Shiva lingam, later found by divers at the bottom of the cliff beneath the temple , were installed for worship. Puja services are especially colorful at twilight on Fridays. Trincomalee may take its name from the site of this temple - perhaps from the Tamil words tiru kona malai, “mountain scared to Konesvara ( Shiva )."

Sri Lanka Fast Facts

Countries Exempt from Visas

All the countries in the SAARC region are exempt from visa
Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan
Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria
Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland, France
Georgia, Germany, Greece
Hong Kong (China), Hungary
India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy
Japan
Kazakstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg
Malaysia, Maldives
Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway
Oman
Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal
Qatar
Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Ugoslavia

What to wear
Cotton garments are the ideal as Sri Lanka is a tropical island. However, viscose/cotton mixed garments are commonly worn. Light clothing is recommended in the lowland areas and light woollen clothing is suitable in the hill country. A sun hat and sun glasses may help to escape the heat during day time.

Currency
Sri Lanka follows decimal currency system in Rupees (Rs.) and cents (Cts.) with 100 cents equal to a rupee. Currency notes are available in the denominations of Rs. 2,10,20,50,100,200, 500 and 1000. Coins are issued in values of Cts.1,2,5,10,25,50 and Rs.1,2,5 and 10.

Entering Places of Worship
Visitors to Buddhist temples are advised to be properly clad covering the body in full. Briefs, shorts, bear backs and bare shoulders are against accepted norms. When entering Buddhist and Hindu shrines footwear and headgear should be removed.

Tourist Information
Those who intend visiting Sri Lanka can obtain more information from the overseas offices of the Ceylon Tourist Board or the Sri Lanka Missions in their home country. A Travel Information Counter at the Airport operates twenty four hours of the day to assist visitors arriving in the Island. Travel Information Centres at No.80, Galle Road, Colombo 3 (opposite Hotel Lanka Oberoi) and at Kandy also provide information to tourists.

Customs Regulations (INBOUND)
Declare all your valuable equipment, jewellery and gems. If you have nothing to declare, go through the “Green Channel”. Baggage should not contain goods for others, goods in commercial quantities, and prohibited or restricted goods. You are required to take back all your personal effects when departing the country. You are entitled to bring in 1.5 litres of spirits, 2 bottles of wine, a small quantity of perfume and travel souvenirs not exceeding US $ in value.

Customs Regulations (OUTBOUND)
PERMITTED: You are entitled to take out what you have declared and brought into the country, and whatever you have purchased locally, such as gems, jewellery and Sri Lanka products with the funds brought in. Three kilos of Sri Lanka tea, duty free, foreign currency declared and brought into the country. Unused Sri Lanka currency should be reconverted to foreign currency at departure.

NOT PERMITTED: Gems and jewellery or valuable equipment not declared on arrival or not purchased in Sri Lanka. Gold (crude, bullion or coins) Sri Lanka currency in excess of Rs. 250/- . Firearms, explosives and dangerous weapons. Antiques, statues, treasures, old books, etc., Animals birds or reptiles (dead or alive) and their parts. Tea, rubber and coconut plants. Dangerous drugs.




Information and pictures provided by www.srilankatourism.org

The Travel-Informed Team

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