Sri Lanka

Explore

Sri Lanka is an island paradise located in the Indian Ocean. It consists of one main island and several smaller islands. The country is blessed with beautiful natural scenery, a mild blissful weather and stunning landscape that captures the hearts of all its visitors. With a rich history expanding over 2500 years, Sri Lanka is home to some of world’s ancient capitals including – Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy and Galle. The main language spoken in Sri Lanka is Sinhala while some also speak Tamil and English.

Sri Lanka has different types of terrains and natural features that altogether provide a unique character to the place. In south-central region there are several mountains, plateaus and valleys surrounded by wide expanse of plains that also have low ridges and decrease in altitude as you move towards the coast. The natural vegetation covers about one-third of the country. Finally along the coast you have picturesque sandy beaches, lagoons water bays and offshore islets. Sri Lankan cuisine is also like no other. Curries filled with odoriferous spices and vibrant colours, rice, coconut, tropical vegetables and fruits set the true tone for Sri Lankan cuisine. Even Sri Lankan street food should not be missed out that have very distinctive dishes.

In this island there will never be short of festivities. The Thai Pongal Festival in January, local New Year in April, Esala Perahera in August or Christmas in December, Sri Lanka is host to some or the other exciting festivals throughout the year. During your visit to Sri Lanka you will enjoy the fresh air, the beauty and greenery like no other. Rated as the top five biodiversity hotspots in the world, Sri Lanka is also known for its leopards, sloth bears, sambars and famous Sri Lankan elephants that delightfully capture the attention of their visitors.

You can also explore relaxing Ayurveda and therapeutic spas derived from the country’s hereditary healing system, based on herbs and well-balanced diet, which has been in presence for over more than 3500 years. Ayurveda very well connects the dots with meditation, spa and yoga, which gives a wonderful tranquil experience that makes you feel rejuvenated. When in Sri Lanka, you can discover the real meaning of locality and authenticity when you take the roads down the island to explore its true beauty. Sri Lanka is surely the perfect vacation you have been waiting for

Sri Lanka at a Glance

Time: GMT + 5:30

Capital: Colombo

Country area: 65,610 km2

Population (2018): 2.17 Crores (2018)

Religion: 70% population practise Buddhism

Major Industries: Tourism, Textile, Tea, Telecom & IT

Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

Electricity Voltage: 230V/50 Hz (type D and G sockets)

Important Information


Weather & Climate

Sri Lanka is a tropical country with a year-round hot climate, moderated by the cool oceanic winds. Summers are hot in Sri Lanka, followed by heavy rain during the monsoon season and mild winters.

Sri Lanka receives ample annual rainfall and the southwest monsoon runs from the last week of May until October. The northeast monsoon occurs from December to March, which brings along moisture from the Bay of Bengal.

Sri Lanka can genuinely be considered as a year-round holiday destination, although the best time to visit is usually considered between December and mid-April, when the temperatures range between 21.1°C to 31.1°C.

If you plan on travelling during the summer months (May to September) you should head towards the east coast and northern regions for dry, sunny weather, as the west and south-west coasts experience rain during this time. While in the winter months (October to February), the west and south west enjoy favourable weather conditions as the monsoon season hits the eastern and northern regions during this time.

Being a tropical island, the weather in Sri Lanka can be quite hot and humid nearer to the coast but its cooler in the central region where there are mountains. Make sure you pack comfortable and lightweight clothes that are ideal for summers. You should also carry some warm clothes if you are planning to visit the hilly areas.

Female tourists are advised to wear modest clothes although you can wear sleeveless tops, shorts up to knee level, and dresses but very short pants and low-cut dresses are not considered appropriate.

It is disrespectful to enter temples in sleeveless tops or in short skirts and shorts so make sure you carry something appropriate for visits to religious places.

If you are planning to go on nature walks and trekking, then you must carry good quality hiking shoes. A high SPF sunscreen and mosquito repellents should also be carried.

If you plan to visit any religious site such as Kandy, Dambulla or Sigirya, it is important that both men and women wear modest clothing.

Sri Lankans also place great emphasis on politeness and manners, so act respectfully and raising your voice is not considered as well manners.

Visa / Entry Permit is subject to change and depends on the Government policy. Our team will provide you with the exact details on your query about this important & crucial aspect of your travel.

  • While visiting any temples make sure you are dressed properly and remove you shoes or any head covers before entering.
  • Ask for permission before taking pictures at religious or historic sites as it may not be allowed to use your camera in some places, since the flashlight of the camera may cause damage to the paintings.
  • Please don’t take selfie or pictures with Buddha statue.
  • It is a custom to not turn your back to Buddha statues and you may notice people walking backward away from the Buddha due to this reason.
  • Visitors are not allowed to touch any Buddha statues and paintings as it could discolor or damage them.
  • Don’t shake hands with Buddhist monks, especially if you are female. Instead use the traditional local greeting.
  • You should stand when monks or nuns enter the premise as it is an act of respect and all the visitors are also expected to respect the rule.
  • Politics and the civil conflict in Sri Lanka are sensitive topics. It is best not to initiate a conversation on these matters unless you know the person well.