Located just 13 miles off the southern most tip of India, Sri Lanka is a pearl-shaped tropical island, just 270 miles in length, surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is blessed with beautiful golden sandy beaches and a palm-fringed coastline. The compact interior rises to a cooling 2000 metres and offers an abundance of rivers, streams, cascading waterfalls, spice gardens, tea plantations, cool mist-shrouded mountains, tropical rainforests and a wealth of ancient, historical sites, many of which pre-date Christianity.

Sri Lanka's ancient civilisation dates back over 2500 years. Its earliest recorded name was Taprobane but it has also been known as Serendib, from which the word 'Serendipity' derives, and more recently as Ceylon, a name, which it retained up until independence. The country's ancient and well-preserved cities, archaeological and historical sites are testament to Sri Lanka's culture, some of which date back to the 5th Century BC. The ruins of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiraya, Dambulla and Kandy are all very much part of this heritage.

Occupation in more recent times by the Dutch, Portuguese and the Arabs has influenced Sri Lanka's culture but none more so than the British colonisation of the island between 1815 and 1948. Sri Lanka achieved independence in 1972 and today the island is a flourishing modern democracy with an established seat of government at Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte and a strong commercial centre in Colombo, the capital city. The current population is around 18 million people. Sri Lanka's best beaches are located in the southwest of the country. Close to the capital, Colombo, is the popular resort of Negombo. South of the city are many fine resorts stretching from Mount Lavinia through Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota, Indurawa and Hikkaduwa. From these you can take your pick of excellent beaches and calm surf protected by quiet bays, coral, tropical fish and bright sunshine.

Links

Northern Province, North Western Province, North Central Province, Central Province, UVA Province, Sabaragamuwa, Western Province, Southern Province, Eastern Province,