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Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island of no great size, yet it has an extraordinary number of facets. As Sir Arthur C Clarke remarked: "The Island of Sri Lanka is a small universe; it contains as many variations of culture, scenery, and climate as some countries a dozen times its size . . . I find it hard to believe that there is any country which scores so highly in all departments - which has so many advantages and so few disadvantages." Lovely beaches, beautiful landscapes, impressive ruins, a vibrant culture and charming people.

Sri Lanka At A Glance

Travel
Seductive beaches and tempting water sports, magnificent landscapes featuring lazy lagoons, fertile wetlands, ecologically-wondrous types of forest, imposing mountains, bounteous rivers and waterfalls, an abundance of wildlife - much of it endemic - unique ecosystems, inspiring heritage sites from ancient cities to colonial forts, a vibrant culture including fine arts and crafts and grand festivals, and a people of diverse ethnicity and religious persuasion, charming and hospitable. Contemporary tourist attractions such as luxurious Ayurveda spas and broad-based shopping opportunities have evolved, and Sri Lanka has become one of the world’s most popular destinations to get married and enjoy a honeymoon.

What To Do

A Visit to a Tea Factory
If you are intent on buying Ceylon Tea it is important to understand the perfection needed in its processing, the specific manner in which it is graded and assessed. The best way to achieve this is through a visit to a tea plantation, specifically a tea factory, which can easily be arranged.
There are several ways in which to purchase Sri Lanka s most celebrated gift to the world, Ceylon Tea. If your tour of the island takes in a tea plantation, then there is no better place to buy than at source. The packaging and labelling may be minimal, but the fresh taste is guaranteed to be phenomenal. However, it is also possible to buy unblended estate teas in Colombo. And you can always buy tea at the airport just before your departure.
One of the main visual impressions of Sri Lanka s hill country taken home by travellers is the sight of Tamil women plucking tea clad in brightly clad saris. It is said that only small and agile feminine hands, and the patience of the female temperament, can achieve high yield plucking. However, this is incidental, for the sociological and economic reasons behind the tradition of women pluckers are more significant.
The fact remains that plucking tea requires specific skills, in particular dexterity. The women move between the tea plants, which are spaced roughly one metre apart and regularly pruned to a height of one and a half metres, to aid plucking. With amazing swiftness and precision they gather with both hands only the youngest and topmost leaves by snapping the stem with a sharp movement of the index and middle fingers

What To See

UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Sri Lanka contains an astonishing seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its compact shores,the same number as heritage-packed Egypt. Six cultural sites are testament to a civilization with over 2,000 years of recorded history, while a seventh natural site boasts some of the highest biodiversity found outside the Amazon basin.
From colossal ancient monuments and serene rock carvings in sprawling ruined cities, to a 5th century AD king's palace in the clouds, the World Heritage Sites showcase the island's rich history and contribution to civilization. The largest and most dramatic of these are located in the so-called Cultural Triangle, the area formed by linking the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. It's a living heritage, where the visitor will see Buddhist monks and reverent devotees and hear the hypnotic murmur of religious invocations - all of which bring the crumbling brick temples, granite statues and towering dagobas of Sri Lanka's ancient cities to life.
Through the heritage sites the visitor can re-live some of the seminal episodes in the island's past - the introduction of Buddhism, which inspired kings to undertake astounding feats of engineering; the complex palace intrigues; the repeated invasions and conquests; and ultimately, the capitulation to the European colonial powers.
Experiencing Sri Lanka's heritage sites takes you on a spiritual journey that will uplift and amaze, inspire and refresh. The island's compact dimensions mean that it is possible to combine a visit to several of these marvels in the Cultural Triangle during even the briefest of visits.

Where To Stay

Hotel Accommodation
Sri Lanka has varied types of hotels. From basic functional structures to luxurious villas, some of the Island hotels are located in old colonial buildings, offering a wonderful taste of the lifestyle and ambience of the by-gone-era. A number of stunning modern hotels, many of which have been designed by Sri Lanka 21st century architect, Geoffrey Bawa, offer visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience

Traditions and Customs

Sri Lanka: Traditions and Customs
Customs and traditions are deeply ingrained in Sri Lankan society and have been safeguarded, from one generation to the next, over its rich 2,500 year old history. These traditions are intertwined with day to day life of the islands four ethnic groups ?the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, and Burghers ?and its religions - Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity.
Traditional greeting
In our island home, you will be greeted with clasped palms, as if in prayer, and a head nodded in welcome; the words Ayubowan ?May You Live Long ?forming on each islanders lips. The equivalent greeting in Tamil is Vanakkam, whilst the Muslims will say Assalamu Alaikum.
01.Traditions: From Birth and Beyond
The traditions found below are an intrinsic part of the lives of primarily the islands Sinhalese and Tamils. From birth, important rituals are conducted around culturally significant milestones such as the Naming Ceremony and a childsfirst feeding of solid food.
Naming Ceremony
The Nam Tebima or Naming Ceremony is an important ritual in traditional Sinhalese society. An Astrologer, based on the time of birth, provides a selection of letters with which to name the child (usually, a selection of letters with which both the first and middle name should start with is given). Sri Lankan law requires a newborn to be registered within 90 days of birth

Sports

Cricket
Most children in Sri Lanka know the rules of cricket, and many fields are scattered across the island. The country co-hosted the 1996 Cricket World Cup with India and Pakistan, and has hosted the Asia Cup tournament on numerous occasions. It will also co-host the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

The Sri Lankan cricket team is a national cricket team representing Sri Lanka. The team first played international cricket in 1975, and were later awarded Test status in 1981, which made Sri Lanka the eighth Test playing nation. Sri Lanka Cricket, formerly the Board for Cricket Control in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), is the controlling body for cricket in Sri Lanka. It operates the Sri Lankan cricket team and first-class cricket within Sri Lanka.