History of Sri Lanka: The earliest inhabitants of the island now known as Sri Lanka were probably the ancestors of the Veddas, an aboriginal people now numbering around 3,000 and living in remote mountain areas. One of the first written references to the island is found in the Indian epic Ramayana. The main written accounts of the country's history are the Buddhist chronicles of Mahavansa and Dipavansa.

Buddhism arrived from the Indian subcontinent in the 3rd century BC. The Bhikkhu Mahinda, said to have been a son or brother of Buddhist Indian Emperor Ashoka, was sent to Sri Lanka as a missionary; he is said to have converted the Sinhalese King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale. The Sinhalese population at large subsequently became Buddhists.

In 1505 the Portuguese arrived on the island, and colonial rule began. Dutch arrived in the 17th century. During Portuguese and Dutch rule of coastal areas, the interior, hilly region of the island remained independent, with its capital in Kandy. Great Britain replaced the Dutch in 1796, and the coastal areas became a crown colony in 1802.

A struggle for independence started in the 1930s, when the Youth Leagues opposed the 'Ministers' Memorandum'. After the crucial role played by Ceylon in World War II, the pressure for independence intensified, and under the name of Ceylon, it became a Commonwealth realm in 1948.

When to Go

Sri Lanka is round-the-year destination-there is always a good time to visit at least some part of the country. Sri Lanka is a typically tropical country with distinct dry and wet seasons subject to two monsoons: the Yala season (May to August), when the southwest monsoon brings rain to the southern, western and central regions; and the Maha season (October to January), when the northeast monsoon brings rain to the north and east of the island. The best time to visit the west, south coast and hill country is between December and March. May to September is best on the east coast.

What to Pack

We have compiled a “what to pack” list specifically made for the needs of a traveler in the Sri Lanka. Staying in hotels in Sri Lanka minimizes the list as they provide most everything. There are also shops located in Hotels where you should find your basic needs.

• Sunscreen with high SPF (Sun Protection Factor)

• Sunglasses

• Hat or Cap for shade from the sun

• Light cotton clothing

• Lotion (Aloe Vera)

• Insect Repellent

• Bathing Suits

• Credit Card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club, and Eurocard are accepted)

What to Wear

Light cotton dresses of the drip-dry wash-and-wear variety and light weight suits are the most comfortable year-round attire. A wide-brimmed beach hat and sun glasses are recommended as well as comfortable shoes or sandals. Medium weight slacks and pullovers will be necessary in the hill country where the temperature can go down as low as 10’C. *Nudism is prohibited

Health Care and Safety

Sri Lanka is a healthy country and with common sense there is no reason why you should become unwell during your visit. It is essential, however, that your take out adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay and you seek proper medical advice in advance. Most people ensure that they are immunized for tetanus, diphtheria, polio, typhoid, and hepatitis A and B. You may also wish to consider anti-malaria pills.

There is a continuing conflict in Sri Lanka but this is largely restricted to the North and East of the country. It is not recommended that you attempt to visit these areas. Tourists are not targets of the LTTE (aka Tamil Tigers) and, other than military road checks, you are very unlikely to be made aware of the conflict. As a precaution, get an update from your Government’s information services in advance of travelling.

People of Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka is home to more than 20 million people. A strategic naval link between West Asia and South East Asia, Sri Lanka has been a centre of Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times, though a fifth of the population follow other faiths - notably Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and indigenous religions. Sinhalese people form a majority of the population (74%). The second largest community, concentrated in the north east of the island, are the Sri Lankan Tamils. Other communities include the Muslim Sri Lankan Moors and Malays as well as Burghers and indigenous Veddah peoples.

Festivals & Culture of Sri Lanka

The island is the home of two main traditional cultures: the Sinhalese (centered in the ancient cities of Kandy and Anuradhapura) and the Tamil (centered in the city of Jaffna). In more recent times a British colonial culture was added, and lately Sri Lanka, particularly in the urban areas, has experienced a dramatic makeover in the western mold. Religion plays an important part in the life and culture of Sri Lankans.

Approximately 68% of Sri Lankan peoples are adherents of Buddhism.

Duruthu Perahera (January):  Celebrates a visit by Buddha to Sri Lanka.

National Day (February): Celebrated with parades, dances and national games

New Year (March/April): Celebrated with elephant races, coconut games and pillow fights.

Vesak (May): Commemorates the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha.

Vel:(July/August): Must see : the ceremonial chariot of Skanda, the God of War hauled between two temples;

Kataragama (July/August): Devotees put themselves through the whole gamut of ritual masochism.

Kandy Esala Perahera (July/August): Most important and spectacular pageant, with 10 days of torch-bearers, whip-crackers, dancers, drummers and elephants.  Climaxes in great procession honouring the Sacred Tooth Relic of Kandy.
 

Shopping in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is indeed a shopper’s paradise with a wide range of handicrafts at really reasonable prices. In addition it is famous for gems & silverware. All tastes are catered for and it pays the discerning shopper to hunt in bazaars for unusual souvenirs.

Contemporary paintings, dolls, ebony work, brassware, rush & ready- ware, ac work (a distinctive form of traditional lacquer work on wood) drums etc., and many more traditional crafts offer the tourists some unusual souvenirs of their stay in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has several shopping malls, including Majestic City, Liberty Plaza, Crescat Boulevard, Odel Unlimited and JAIC Oberoi. Some 5-star hotels in Colombo also have shopping arcades.

Entry Formalities to Sri Lanka:

Immigration Basics

- Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all.
- Sufficient funds for maintenance
- An outward or return ticket, or foreign exchange to purchase an outward ticket

Visas

Nationals of the following countries coming to Sri Lanka as bona-fide tourists, do not require entry visas for a period of thirty days: Albania, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, West Germany, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, Norway, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Qatar, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, U.A.E., U.S.A., U.K., Yugoslavia, Turkey, 15 New States of The Former Soviet Union, 5 New States of Former Yugoslavia.

Such tourists should, however, have a visa for the country to which they are proceeding from Sri Lanka if the law of that country requires it. Nationals of the above countries require visit visa to enter Sri Lanka if they are not coming as Bona-fide tourists.

Visit Visas are issued by Sri Lanka diplomatic missions abroad free of charge for a period of 30 days on arrival at Colombo Airport (for tourist visits only). Visitors overstaying their visas are liable for action taken against them by the Government of Sri Lanka..

Nationals of all countries not included in the above list require a visa for entry into Sri Lanka.