SRI LANKA,

SRI LANKA the Pearl of Indian Ocean, is a delighted Tourist Centre. The entire population is approximately twenty million. The population is comprised with Sinhalese (major inhabitants), Tamils, and Muslims, Burger, Malay and a small portion of other Nationals. The total land area is 65610 km². Sri Lanka is also known as the Green Paradise (Green Paradise Sri Lanka - Full Travel Documentary BBC) as the majority of the land is rich with green cover, while the entire wet zone is provides a tropical evergreen forest with healthy trees and a dense undergrowth. Around the Island, Tourist can enjoy the natural beauty of Sea beaches. Among them, Mount Lavinia beach is the most attractive and popular beach because the beach is much closer to the capital. It is a risk free area, and hence most tourists Dive, Swim, and bath at this beach throughout the day. However the risk free sea Beaches at Trincomalee, Nilavally, Arugambe and Weligama beaches are visit - worthy places and becoming more attractive and popular among the tourists for .

Ø Capitals: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte , Colombo

Ø Dialing code: +94

Ø President: Maithripala Sirisena

Ø Prime minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe

Ø Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Very astonishing weather conditions are prevailing through- out the country right through the year. Usually there is no extreme hot or cold season. However upland areas of island are cooler and more pleasant, with an annual average around 16-20'C while coastal belt is having slightly higher temperatures varying from 24'C to 33'C depending on the monsoons. Sri Lanka weather along the coastal belt is made more comfortable by cooling sea breezes. However being a small island the humidity is slightly higher and remains around 80% throughout the year. Being a small paradise of land area limited to 65610 km ², any person who travels 3 to 4 hours across the island can experience the change of different types of climates and changing green cover.

Sri Lankans maintain a high degree of discipline. This culture is related with centuries old Buddhist culture. They respect and honor others rights. The life - style of Sri Lankans is very simple. It is filled with happiness and joy. They always extend their hands to others in hospitality. It is also one of the prominent characteristics of the culture.

LANGUAGE

Sinhala is the Official Language of the country while TAMIL Language is treated as an equal language. However most of the people in town areas speak English Language. Taxi drivers, Travelling Agents, Restraint employees and Tourist Guides are well conversant with English language. Any foreigner who steps into to the Island can reach his or her destination without any difficulty if he or she is conversant in any of above language.

FOOD

The main traditional food of Sri Lankans is rice served with several curries. Rice is cooked in several ways by adding meat of different kinds to it and a variety of vegetables. They change menus to suit occasions. Depending on the preference, local dishes can be hot or very mild or can be a combination. Local foods are well known to its richness of different kinds of spices which makes dishes taste and healthy with nice aroma.

Most of the Sri Lankans eat Rice with different types of vegetable, fish or meat curries made with species and coconut milk, which is very unique to Sri Lankan cuisine. You may find same dish saves in different ways depending on the part of the island you are travelling.

The Breakfast of Sri Lankans is comparatively a light meal as they concentrate on their lunch of rice and curry. Some of the traditional dishes are String Hoppers, a preparation of rice or wheat flour White hoppers, Roti, Pittu etc. They are served with appropriate curries.

Apart from these meals any type of dishes, whether Western or Eastern are available in most of the restaurants in all parts of the country.

FESTIVALS

The people of Sri Lanka have always been inclined toward ritual and ceremony. Most important occasions demanding ceremonies are religious. This mentality is perfectly reflected in the Grand Esala Perahera (the procession of Esala) that take place nearly two weeks in every August in Kandy, the ancient Capital of Hill-country.

Apart from this pageantry Perahara there are number of other Peraheras as well. Kataragama Perahera, Bellanvila Perahera, Gangarama Perahera , Kelani Rajamaha Vihara Perahera are some of them. While Buddhists in Sri Lanka organize these pageants, Hindus devotees organize Val-Morin Processions. And Christians celebrate festival of Our Lady of Madu and the Feast of St. Anne at Thalavila. Muslim Observances - Muslim festivals, on the whole are distinguished by their lack of public ostentation. At most public meetings are held for corporate prayer or open proclamation of faith. At home, there is always prayer and reading of the KURAN.

Perahara there are number of other Peraheras as well. Kataragama Perahera, Bellanvila Perahera, Gangarama Perahera, Kelani Rajamaha Vihara Perahera are some of them. While Buddhists in Sri Lanka organize these peagents, Hindus devoties organize VAL Processions. And Christians celebrate festival of Our Lady of Madu and the Feast of St. Anne at Thalavila.

WORLD HERITAGE SITES OF SRI LANKA

Among many other tourists attractions in Sri Lanka, following eight sites are much admired as they have been inscribed the UNESCO as World Heritage. Ancient city of Polonnaruwa, the ancient city of Sigiriya, the Golden Temple of Dambulla, the old town of Galle and its fortifications, the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the sacred city of Kandy, Sinharaja Forest Reserve and the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka are the eight sites.

NATIONAL PARKS AND BOTANICAL GARDENS OF SRI LANKA.

Sri Lanka has several national parks and botanical gardens spread all over the country with quite different and unique feature. Yala, Wilpattu, Udawalawe and Wasgamuwa are the most popular national parks were as Hakgala, Peradeniya and Gampaha botanical gardens are the most visited botanical gardens in the country.

CENTRAL PROVINCE

Sri Lanka is divided into nine Provinces. Central province is situated in the Mid Part of the country, and most of the places are more than 1500 meters above the sea level. This Province is naturally gifted with mountains with various heights. There are 103 rivers throughout the country, all starting from these mountains and flow throughout the country and end up their journeys at the Indian Ocean at various parts of the country. They start as small springs at top ends of mountains and gradually flow down and at times they form into pleasant Waterfalls and then into rivers. There are 14 waterfalls at different heights ranging from 07 km to 240 km. The longest river MAHA VELI which starts from RAMBODA is 329.6 km. long.