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Sri Lanka (Sanskrit: श्री लङ्का, “Blessed Land”) is an island in the Indian Ocean. The largest island of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is unique Paradise Island, one of the most history-rich places on earth, attracts travelers from all over the world for recreation, and remains forever in the memory of those who visit it!
Sri Lanka is a country with incredible story, one of the oldest civilizations in the world, offers amazing historical treasures.
Sri Lanka is a country of exoticism, a country for those who dream of a romantic holiday and adventure, a country of all shades of green tropical plants, a country of great natural beauty - this is exactly what you can call a small island located in the Indian Ocean.
Each city on the island of Ceylon is unique: some are famous for their rich history, others fascinate with their natural beauty. Every city in Sri Lanka has a well-developed tourism infrastructure and every city in Sri Lanka welcomes tourists with open arms.
Sri Lanka is the oldest Buddhist country in the world.
oachMore than one thousand kilometers of palm trees and snow-white sandy beaches surround the island. Resorts in Sri Lanka are scattered throughout the country and offer ample opportunities for recreation in Sri Lanka: scuba diving, surfing, sailing and skiing, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, excursions to caves. You can swim in calm waters, watch the sun descend across the horizon like fireball, plunge into the vast ocean
Sri Lanka (Ceylon): photos
Polonnaruwa - the ancient city of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Island: where is it located?
The state of Sri Lanka is located on an island in the Indian Ocean located south of the peninsula Hindustan is between 5'54' and 9'52' northern latitude, 800 km. from the equator. The northern and central parts of the island are located in the subequatorial, and South part in equatorial zones. total area 65610 sq. km, length from north to south 445 km, and from west to east 225 km.
Ceylon island on the world map
Sri Lanka Island: how to get there
There are no direct flights between Moscow and Colombo, but in winter charters fly here with a landing in Male. In addition, flights with fairly convenient connections are possible with Emirates airlines (via Dubai), Etihad Airways(via Abu Dhabi) and Qatar Airways (via Doha). Travel time is about 14 hours including connections.
There are also no direct flights to Sri Lanka from Minsk, Kyiv and Almaty: only through other European cities.
Sri Lanka (Ceylon): video
Real life on the island of Ceylon
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sri Lanka
Full name: Democratic Socialist Republic Sri Lanka.
Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
Area: 65,610 sq. km.
Population: 21,675,648 people.
Official languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Official currency: Sri Lankan rupee.
In warm waters Indian Ocean Not far from the coast of India there is a small island shaped like a drop.
Everyone has heard about it at least once, and every day they probably enjoy its gifts - delicious black or green tea. His real name is rarely spoken, but his “nickname” Ceylon is heard by many. This is Sri Lanka!
Sri Lanka is separated from the Hindustan Peninsula by the narrow Palk Strait.
The people of Sri Lanka are called Sri Lankans.
At the beginning of the 19th century. the island was a colony (dependent territory) of Great Britain and was called Ceylon, and in 1972 it became independent and received a new name - Sri Lanka, which means “blessed land” in Sinhala.
Due to former British rule, almost everyone speaks English in Sri Lanka today. Only he is not quite familiar. Often a resident British Isles or the US will not fully understand the Sri Lankan, although both will communicate in the same language. This is because local residents add a lot of “their” words to their speech.
The flag of Sri Lanka is one of the oldest. It features a Sinhalese lion and two multi-colored stripes. The lion is the symbol of the ancestors of modern Sri Lankans, the green and orange stripes mean the few Muslims and Hindus, and the red part of the flag symbolizes the predominant Buddhists on the island. In the corners of the flag there are 4 leaves of paipula, a tree sacred to Buddhists.
Sri Lanka is an island of precious stones. In its depths are rubies, garnets, Moonstone, amethysts. But the “king” of stones is sapphire - blue, pink, yellow, white and very rare star. A Lankan sapphire even adorns the English crown!
As in other Asian countries, motorized pedicabs are popular in Sri Lanka. Here they are called "knock-knock". This is the only safe means of transportation, since it can easily go around any obstacle. Chaos is happening on the streets of Sri Lankan cities! Locals don't follow the rules traffic. They can stop their vehicle whenever and wherever they want just to let a cow pass or go out to say hello to an acquaintance whom they suddenly saw on the street...
This is interesting!
Taking Sri Lankan rupees abroad, even as a souvenir, is prohibited by law.
An umbrella in Sri Lanka is not a means of keeping out the rain, but the main protection from the sun. It won’t save you from the downpours that happen here, but it won’t save you from the hot sun without an umbrella. That's why umbrellas are sold even in grocery stores.
In a cafe, before putting a dish on a plate, they put a plastic bag on it. In this way, Sri Lankans maintain hygiene, and there is no need to wash dishes after eating.
One state - two capitals
Small state Sri Lanka can boast that it has not one capital, but two! This major metropolis Colombo and a little-known town with complex name Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte. The first houses the residence of the President of Sri Lanka, and the second houses the country's parliament and the Supreme Court.
Colombo means “mangrove harbour” in Sinhala. The city is indeed located in an area with many mangroves. But there is another version of the name. It is believed that the Portuguese, who conquered Sri Lanka in the past, could have named the city this way in honor of the navigator Christopher Columbus.
Colombo is the largest city on the island and largest port Sri Lanka. It's noisy and crowded here all the time, the streets are filled with cars and tuk-tuks. Colombo is the only city in Sri Lanka where there are high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. And only here temples belonging to representatives of three religions at once coexist safely - churches (Christianity), mosques (Islam) and Buddhist temples.
Colombo is home to one of the best botanical gardens in Asia. Its highlights are the Orchid House and the Spice Garden. The world's rarest species of these plants grow in the Orchid House. And in the Spice Garden all the aromatic plants and herbs of the island of Sri Lanka are collected. The king of the garden is pepper, and the queen is cinnamon. It is thanks to the huge amount of spices that the island was interesting to many European countries. Their rulers always dreamed of capturing plantations of allspice, vanilla, cloves, and ginger, which had no equal in the world.
Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte is a town in the suburbs of Colombo. When at the beginning of the 16th century. Envoys of the Portuguese king arrived on the island, the guides managed to stretch the five-kilometer route between Colombo and Kotte into a three-day hike around the entire island! This was done to confuse uninvited guests and hide the exact location of the capital from them. The expression “to go to Kotte” for modern Sri Lankans means “to take a roundabout route.”
The city of Colombo was the capital during the domination of Ceylon by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. When the state became independent, the city of Kotte received the capital function.
Today Kotte is a beautiful, quiet town with many universities and colleges. The Sri Lankan Parliament sits here. A luxurious building was specially built for him in the center of the city lake. Various festivals and fun carnivals are often held on the streets, in which brightly and beautifully dressed elephants - the symbol and pride of Sri Lanka - always take part.
Elephant City
In the past, elephants were the main transport in Sri Lanka. They transported people and cargo in the mountains and jungles. Today this is done by tractors and trucks, but the elephant is still the main animal and symbol of the island. 
The Sri Lankan elephant is different from its African brother. Residents of the hot continent bigger size, their ears are of a different shape and they definitely have powerful tusks. Among Sri Lankan elephants, tusks can be seen on about one in 20 animals.
An elephant lives as long as a person - 70-80 years. An adult animal weighs about 5 tons. He needs 250 kg of reed or coconut palm leaves and 200 liters of water per day.
For us, elephants are a symbol of wisdom and tranquility. But Sri Lankans think differently. They consider giants a natural disaster and fight them. Most animals are not killed by poachers. They are shot... by farmers. Elephants wander into fields, destroy crops and even destroy houses. A herd of angry elephants can destroy an entire village! The giants are not stopped by either fences or traps, and it is useless to try to “negotiate” with them. Lankan elephants are considered more aggressive and “clueless” than their African relatives.
There are fewer and fewer elephants in Sri Lanka every year. To protect the animals from extinction, the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage was built on the island. This is a huge nursery where elephants left without parents, disabled elephants and retired elephants live. By the way, the oldest animal here is more than 60 years old, and the youngest is only two months old. He is given warm milk from the nipple to make him stronger and feel good.
Elephants are the main participants in all holidays and festivals in Sri Lanka. They are dressed in special mask costumes and decorated with jewelry.
Elephants have been trained for performances for many years. When elephants grow up, they “work off” their care and maintenance by giving tourists rides on their backs. This is the most popular attraction among visitors and the main business of local residents. Before riding, the elephant is saddled. This is done only for the sake of tourists. Sri Lankans ride bareback. Maintaining balance while riding is very difficult, but an excellent view opens from the back of the animal. Traveling on horseback, you become convinced that the elephant seems clumsy only from the outside. Despite its impressive weight, it moves almost silently. Usually an elephant walks at walking speed, but if necessary, giants can reach speeds of up to 40 km/h.
An elephant that has worked up an appetite during the trip must be thanked. The best way to do this is to feed him bananas, the elephant’s favorite dessert.
Animal world Sri Lanka is very diverse. Animals and birds on the island feel free, they are not afraid of humans and live next to him.
Based on materials
Sri Lanka Island
(Sri Lanka)
Blue sky, dark turquoise sea and green fringe of coconut palms over a yellow strip of beach - this is how the coast of the island of Sri Lanka opens to the traveler's eye. To Europeans, this island always seemed like an earthly paradise. It is no coincidence that the chain of islands crossing the Palk Strait and connecting Sri Lanka with India was called Adam's Bridge. It was according to him, as legend says, that the forefather of mankind, expelled from paradise, came to earth. By the way, one of the highest mountain peaks in Sri Lanka is also called Adam’s Peak. It even has a rock with a dent similar to a human foot - as they say, the imprint of Adam’s foot. On religious holidays, thousands of pilgrims climb along a narrow path to the top of the peak, eager to touch the shrine.
The island of Sri Lanka was known back in the 1st millennium BC. In the ancient Indian tale of Rama and Sita, better known to us as the Ramayana, there is an episode when the wife of Prince Rama, Sita, is kidnapped by the evil king of Sri Lanka, Ravana. But, although the Sri Lankan ruler took refuge on his island under the protection of a huge army, the brave Rama, with the help of the mighty monkey king Hanuman, who helped him, managed to defeat the army of Ravana and regain Sita. They also say that after returning home across Adam’s Bridge. Rama asked Hanuman how he could thank him. And the far-sighted monkey king replied that he would like to live as long as people remember the prince’s exploits. This is how Hanuman became immortal, for the memory of the divine Rama and his victories is passed on in India from generation to generation.
Over its long history, the island has changed many names, but all of them have always expressed admiration. The Arabs called it Serendib ("Blessed Island"). The ancient Greeks called it Taprobana (meaning "Coast of Bronze Palms"). The British gave the island the name Ceylon. This word comes from the distorted “Singala-dvina” - “Lion Island” - this is what the Sinhalese Indians who moved here in ancient times called this country. The current name of the island and country translated from Sanskrit means “Fertile Land”.
The great Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore once called Sri Lanka “the pearl in the Indian Ocean.” Since then, many wonderful writers have visited the island - from Zweig and Kipling to the classic of modern science fiction Arthur C. Clarke, and everyone admired him in their own way. Russian writers also visited here: Goncharov and Chekhov, Garin and Bunin. It’s impossible to list the enthusiastic epithets they bestowed on Sri Lanka: “Emerald drop in a warm sea”, “Treasure Island”, “ Paradise", "Pearl Treasury of the East", "Land of Eternal Summer", etc.
It must be said that there is no exaggeration in the last name: the climate of the country is, indeed, even and warm throughout the year. In both summer and winter, the temperature here is about plus 27, and in the mountains - 20–25 degrees. From May to August, humid sea winds - monsoons bring heavy rains to the island. At this time, the clouds above the ground thicken so much that everything is plunged into darkness, as if a solar eclipse had occurred, and whole streams of water fall from the sky, so dense that nothing can be seen twenty steps away. Rivers overflow their banks, and violent floods sometimes destroy entire villages. Thus, in 1957, due to floods caused by monsoon rains, almost three hundred thousand residents of the country were left homeless. But the rest of the time the sun shines brightly over Sri Lanka.
The island's forests amaze with their power and diversity. Here you can find giant trees reaching 50 meters in height, small but beautiful flowering plants, and numerous vines entwining the trunks and branches of other trees. Among them are many valuable, unique species: sandalwood with delicately fragrant branches, ebony, also called “black” for the color of the wood, rosewood - teak, breadfruit with edible fruits, tree ferns, papaya, mango and many others. But most of all in the forests there are various palm trees, of which coconut trees are in first place, of course. Their slender silhouettes, sometimes rising 30–35 meters, are found everywhere on the island.
This plant has long served man in tropical countries. Its nuts are used as food and provide oil used in soap and candle making. Palm leaves are used to cover huts, baskets, mats and brushes are made from them, the wood is used for buildings, and dishes are made from nut shells. Palm fiber is used for weaving ropes and making fabrics.
From other types of palm trees, sweet juice is obtained, which after fermentation becomes an intoxicating drink, starch, sugar, wax and other substances. In ancient times, the leaves of the talipot palm were used to make paper similar to parchment. Ancient manuscripts written on it have survived to this day - more than a thousand years! And the fruits of the cabbage palm are still included in the menu of the island’s residents.
Near Buddhist monasteries there are always groves of banyan trees - the sacred tree of India and Sri Lanka. After all, it was under the banyan tree that two and a half thousand years ago, the founder of Buddhism, Prince Gautama, experienced “enlightenment,” that is, he understood the cause of human suffering and the way to get rid of it. It happened in one of the cities North India. Since then, Gautama took the name Buddha ("Enlightened One"). Every year, millions of pilgrims come to worship the tree, which has survived to this day.
And in 245 BC, the envoys of Sri Lanka turned to the priests guarding the sacred Indian tree with a request to allow them to take one branch of banyan tree to their island so that they too would grow a symbol of true faith. Permission was given, and the cutting of the tree in a golden vessel traveled down the Ganges River and then by sea to Sri Lanka, where it was planted on a hill in the ancient capital of the country - Anuradhapura and watered with sacred water from the Ganges. And the tree took root in the new place and has been blooming and bearing fruit for more than two thousand years. The monks spread its fruits throughout the island, and now there is no Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka that does not have a banyan tree growing near it.
By the way, this tree is a close relative of the well-known indoor ficus. By the way, the ficus family also includes the fig, which is widespread in the Mediterranean, or the fig tree, as the Bible calls it. An amazing feature of the banyan tree is its ability to form numerous aerial roots hanging from the branches to the ground. Having taken root in the soil, these roots begin to thicken, turning into powerful additional trunks, reaching a meter in diameter. (The main trunk can sometimes be up to ten meters in diameter.) Gradually the tree turns into a real forest, sometimes occupying an entire hectare and consisting of 600–800 trunks! The largest banyan tree is considered to be a five hundred year old tree in Indian state Andhra Pradesh, resembling a huge green hill measuring two hectares. It is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. True, such giants have not been recorded in Sri Lanka.
In the forests of the island there is a real abundance of animals: there are wild elephants and buffaloes, black sloth bears and leopards, jackals and meter-sized bats - flying foxes, as well as many monkeys, flocks of which regularly devastate the fields and gardens of local residents. There are as many as five species of deer in Sri Lanka, including the largest spotted-skinned axis deer and mouse deer as tall as a hare.
The jungles of Sri Lanka also abound in birds, many of which fly here in winter from the north. But among them there are also permanent residents - these are peacocks, weaver birds, spur partridges and amazingly beautiful Ceylon kingfishers, whose feathers on the back shimmer in all shades of blue.
Dangerous animals are also found here, such as poisonous snakes (including cobras), crocodiles, sometimes growing up to five meters in length, and in coastal sea waters - sharks. The rivers are home to a rare fisherman, similar to a huge eel, up to a meter long. During the dry season, it is able to crawl overland from one body of water to another that has not yet dried up.
And gecko lizards, common in Sri Lanka, are tamed and kept in houses by residents to combat flies, mosquitoes and mosquitoes.
The island's fertile climate provides excellent conditions for the cultivation of many cultivated plants, and therefore most of the plains of Sri Lanka (and they occupy four-fifths of the country) have been converted into plantations. Rubber trees such as hevea and cocoa, coconut palms and coffee trees, bananas and citrus fruits grow on them. But the main asset of Sri Lanka is its famous tea, which we call Ceylon tea from old memory. A third of all the tea harvested in the world is grown here, and it provides the lion's share of revenue to the state treasury.
But the nature of the island is famous not only for its richness of flora. In its mountains, on the roads of Sri Lanka, the richest reserves of the world's best graphite have been found, and "black sands" - the most valuable ore of titanium and zirconium - are mined off the coast. However, first of all, Sri Lanka is known throughout the world for its precious stones. More than forty different types of gems hide its depths: rubies and topazes, amethysts and garnets, tourmalines and alexandrites. Deposits of the latter are known, by the way, only in two places in the world: in Sri Lanka and here in the Urals. “Cat's eye” is also mined here - a stone that, according to legend, protects against assassination attempts and poisoning. They say that in the Middle Ages there was a ring with this stone; seven times he saved the life of the crown prince, the son of the ruler of the Sinhalese, whose enemies tried to take his life either with a dagger, or poison, or by sawing a bridge across the abyss on his way. But the magic talisman protected its owner every time, and the prince eventually became the ruler of the island.
Sapphire is rightly considered the most valuable gem in Sri Lanka. This blue stone is highly rated among connoisseurs. For one carat of it (0.2 grams) they pay up to two thousand dollars!
In the East there is an ancient legend about the origin of this wonderful gem. They say that people turned to the supreme deity of Hindus, Brahma, to show them the most precious of all seven wonders of the universe. Brahma climbed up sacred mountain Kailash filled the cup with the magical drink of immortality - amrita and splashed it out onto the surrounding area. Sprays of amrita scattered all over the world and, falling to the ground, turned into precious stones. These were sapphires.
The mountains of Sri Lanka, as already mentioned, occupy only a fifth of the island's area. But these are steep, rocky ridges and plateaus, sometimes rising two and a half kilometers above the plain. Rivers flowing from the mountains abound with waterfalls. Based on their number, Sri Lanka can be compared with the most “waterfall” country in the world - the South African kingdom of Lesotho. There are more than a hundred large waterfalls here, a good dozen of them are more than a hundred meters high. In the central part of the island, south of the ancient capital of the country - Kandy, in an area measuring fifty by fifty kilometers, there are seven such waterfalls and cascades, including the 210-meter Kurundu and the 190-meter Diyaluma.
The city of Kandy itself, known since the 16th century, is located at an altitude of 700 meters at the foot of the Piduru Range and has a temperate climate. It is considered the coolest city in the country. The city buildings are surrounded by a semi-ring long river Sri Lanka - Mahaweli. The main attraction of Kandy is ancient temple, where one of the main Buddhist shrines is kept - the Tooth of Buddha. This sacred relic was initially kept in one of the temples of India, but when Muslims took over the Buddhists in the principality where the temple was located, the daughter of the ruler, hiding the Tooth in her high hairstyle, managed to get out of the city and reached Sri Lanka by ship. Here the Buddhist shrine was presented to the king of the island, who built a special temple for it in 1592, which became a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all over the world. The most important holiday of Sri Lanka - Perahera - is dedicated to the sacred tooth of Buddha. On this day, a solemn procession is organized in Kandy, in which 200 festively dressed elephants take part, one of which carries on its back a golden copy of the casket - the repository of the Tooth.
And not far from the ancient capital there is another pearl of Sri Lanka - Sigiriya Rock ("Lion Mountain"). With its outlines, it really resembles a mighty predator preparing to jump. A palace city was built on an unusual rock back in the 5th century, which at that time served as the residence of the king, and later served as a home for Buddhist monks.
A huge rock mass, towering above the green wall of the forest, was visible from afar. To further highlight it, the sheer walls of the mountain were whitewashed and polished to a mirror shine. Built on the flat top of Sigiriya marble palace with a luxurious garden and fountains. Only one inaccessible path led to it from the foot of the cliff, ending at the walls of the residence. The gates were built in the shape of a giant lion's head. To get into the palace, you had to go through the ferocious, grinning mouth of the beast.
According to legend, a fabulous structure on an impregnable peak was built by the evil and treacherous prince Kasiyapa. To seize power in the country, he killed his father and sent his younger brother into exile. After this, he, fearing revenge, ordered the construction of a palace on the rock and took refuge there. But eighteen years later, the villain still suffered his well-deserved retribution. His brother, Moggolana, gathered an army, stormed Sigiriya and executed the criminal. A Buddhist monastery was established in the empty palace. And after several centuries, the monastery was empty, and soon the green wall of the jungle hid this unique masterpiece of architecture from people. And only at the beginning of the 19th century, using fragmentary information preserved in ancient manuscripts, archaeologists were able to find and clear the ancient ruins. Now Sigiriya is included in the list of the most valuable historical monuments world and is under the auspices of UNESCO.
Such is this amazing island, endowing the traveler with a precious bouquet of the most exquisite and varied impressions: amazing trees and unique animals, beaches warm sea and shady groves of coconut palms, scatterings of precious stones and foamy streams of waterfalls, white marble palaces and mysterious ancient rituals, fruits worthy of gourmets, and legends that have survived thousands of years... And it is no coincidence that one of the wise and well-known thinkers of our time, the American science fiction writer Arthur Clarke, Having visited Sri Lanka, he was so captivated by it that he stayed here to live forever. And when he was asked about the reasons for such an act, he answered briefly and simply: “I don’t know.” better place on our planet!"
This text is an introductory fragment. From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (KO) by the author TSB From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (LA) by the author TSBKos (island) Kos (Greek Kos), an island in the Aegean Sea, in the archipelago of the Southern Sporades, near the Asia Minor peninsula. Belongs to Greece. Length about 40 km, width up to 10 km, area 267 km2. Rolling plains and plateaus predominate; in the east there are low mountains with an altitude of up to 846 m (the town of Dikeos).
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From the book Memo to USSR citizens traveling abroad author author unknownSri Lanka Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Date of creation of an independent state: February 4, 1948 (gaining independence), May 22, 1972 (proclamation of the Republic of Sri Lanka) Area: 65.6 thousand square meters. kmAdministrative division: 8
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From the author's bookSRI LANKA (Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka) Ceylon. Sri Lanka State in the Indian Ocean on the island. Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) in the south. tip of the Hindustan Peninsula. Terr. 65.5 thousand sq. km.Us. approx. 14.9 million (1981): Sinhalese - 70%, Tamils - 22%, etc. Capital - Colombo. State language -
The island state of Sri Lanka is located on the map southeast of the Hindustan Peninsula. It attracts tourists tired of the bustle of big cities. A leisurely flow of life dominates here. The resort offers a relaxing holiday: magnificent beaches, fishing, diving, picnics in nature, visiting ancient attractions.
Sri Lanka is washed by the Laccadive Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The island is separated from India by the Gulf of Mannar and the Pork Strait. The coast is lowland, including beaches; mountains rise closer to the center of the island.
Brief information about the country
Story
The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has a population of over 21 million. The capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, a suburb of Colombo.
In the 16th century, the Portuguese, who captured these lands, called them Ceilão, which the British read as Ceylon. Sri Lanka has long been known throughout the world under this name. The name of tea, which the state supplies the whole world, comes from the Portuguese word.
Later, the country was occupied by Great Britain, making it its colony. Sri Lanka gained independence only in 1948. At the end of the 20th century, a fire broke out on its territory Civil War, restoration continues to this day.
Capital
In 1982, the capital of Sri Lanka became the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte or simply Kotte, founded around the fortress of the same name. A parliamentary building was erected on an island in the middle of the lake, where the government of the country moved.
But the true heart of the state remains Colombo, the center of trade and business.
This is a typical Asian city, which combines ancient temples with modern skyscrapers, bustling avenues and the regularity of Buddhist life. The city still retains zoning based on the type of activity of the population: a district of artisans, a district of merchants, poor people and others, but today it is not so relevant. 
Colombo is spread over a large area; its territory is dominated by one- and two-story houses. It will take a couple of hours to get from one outskirts to the other. Tourists generally prefer beach holiday and treat the capital as a transit point, but still there is something to see here.
These are mainly architectural attractions, including many temples. Also museums, a theater and even a casino, open especially for city guests. In the tourist area, life is in full swing at night. Here you can have a delicious dinner, go shopping at the mall and even visit a nightclub.
Languages
The majority of the population of Sri Lanka are Sinhalese. Their language is considered official along with Tamil.
The proximity of India, the Maldives and Malaysia had a significant influence on the change in languages, as did the colonization of the lands by Britain, Holland and Portugal. English language has interethnic status, but is spoken mostly in cities and tourist areas
. It also conducts business negotiations and business documentation.
Visa 
Having a visa for Russians is a prerequisite for entering the country, but obtaining one is quite simple.
- It is enough to create an application electronically on the website eta.gov.lk (Russian language is supported), and then receive ETA permission electronically.
- In order for an application to be approved, several rules must be followed:
- There must be at least six months left until the expiration date of the passport;
- availability of round-trip air tickets;
- confirmation of financial solvency in the form of a bank account statement;
children under 16 years of age must be included in the passport of an adult with a photo; if a child is traveling with one parent, permission from the second is required;
For children over 16 years old, their own complete set of documents is collected.
You can also take dollars and euros on your trip and exchange them on the spot. There won't be much difference. Exchange at the airport is slightly less profitable. Outside there are many opportunities to buy rupees: in banks, official exchange offices, jewelry stores, souvenir shops, tourist centers and other places. Private individuals offer a slightly more favorable exchange, but there is a risk of deception in transactions with them.
What you should not do is pay in dollars and euros in markets and small shops. Change will be given in local currency and at an extremely unfavorable exchange rate.
The island of Sri Lanka on the map has many small settlements; before going there, you should stock up on local money.
Difference in time
The time zone in Sri Lanka is UTC +5.5, the difference with Moscow is 2.5 hours.
Climate
The climate in Sri Lanka is tropical, but is influenced by the dominance of the monsoons.
Due to the winds, different parts of the island can experience completely different weather at the same time:
Resorts in Sri Lanka. Tour prices
The island of Sri Lanka, which has many beautiful beaches and interesting sights on its map, can be classified as not the most expensive segment. The level of infrastructure differs in different parts of the island. Russians have fallen in love with the southwestern coast; this is where you can most often meet compatriots.
Based on their reviews, we can highlight best resorts:
Tour prices
| Departure city | Number of nights | Number of people | 1-3 * | 4* | 5* | All inclusive |
| Moscow | 7 | 2 | from 70 000 | from 89 000 | from 95 000 | from 110 000 |
| Saint Petersburg | 7 | 2 | from 90 000 | from 105 000 | from 115 000 | from 135,000 |
The given figures show the general order of prices. The cost of tours depends on the time of year, the specific resort and hotel, airline, food and other factors.
Negombo. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Ranweli Holiday Village 4* | From 2800 rub. |
| Villa Kapuru 3* | From 2300 rub. |
| Shanelo 2* | From 2600 rub. |
| Blue Elephant Boutique 3* | From 1800 rub. |
| The Gateway Airport Garden by Taj 4* | From 5300 rub. |
Bentota. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Vivanta by Taj 5* | From 6600 rub. |
| The Surf 4* | From 4300 rub. |
| Mihin | From 1200 rub. |
| River View | From 3600 rub. |
| Siroma Villa | From 2500 rub. |
Kalutara. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Jasmine 3* | From 1800 rub. |
| Seasand Holiday Home | From 2900 rub. |
| Feel Homestay | From 2000 rub. |
| Karl Holiday Bungalow | From 1600 rub. |
| Feel | From 2400 rub. |
Colombo. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo 5* | From 5100 rub. |
| The Kingsbury 5* | From 8200 rub. |
| Taj Samudra 5* | From 9200 rub. |
| Residence by Uga Escapes 5* | From 9500 rub. |
| Ellen's Place | From 3900 rub. |
Halle. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Unawatuna Beach Resort 4* | From 5800 rub. |
| Niyagama House 5* | From 8300 rub. |
| The Fort Printers 5* | From 8700 rub. |
| Green Casa | From 3800 rub. |
Induruwa. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Jungle Villa | From 2800 rub. |
| Happy Man Guest House | From 3100 rub. |
| Paradise Villa | From 3000 rub. |
| Janus Paradise Rest | From 2300 rub. |
| The Fence | From 3500 rub. |
Unawatuna. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Ridee Villa 4* | From 8200 rub. |
| La Villetta | From 2400 rub. |
| Unawatuna Nor Lanka 3* | From 2100 rub. |
| Beach Grove Villas 4* | From 3100 rub. |
| Flower Garden 3* | From 3000 rub. |
Mirissa. Hotels, prices
| Hotel | Price for 1 night |
| Citrine Mirissa | From 9200 rub. |
| Handagedara Resort | From 7200 rub. |
| Hostel First Mirissa | From 5100 rub. |
| Hangover Hostel Mirissa | From 3300 rub. |
Entertainment on the island
The island of Sri Lanka on the map is a popular destination for tourists.
The entertainment industry is developing rapidly here, offering guests a wide variety of leisure activities:
- Diving and snorkeling. The island is surrounded by reefs - perfect place in order to observe underwater life, admire the remains of sunken ships and caves.
Beaches
The main purpose for which tourists come to Sri Lanka is a beach holiday. It's really beautiful here sandy beaches, wide, clean, golden-white.
A list of the best of them is presented below:
- Negombo beach. It is located closest to international airport, so many people come here to soak in the warm water before heading off on further excursions. There are almost always waves here, and if it is better to look for a quieter place with children, then there will be real freedom for surfers here.
- Arugam Bay. This beach with a wide strip of golden sand is loved by surfing fans: there are big waves here. You can get to it from Colombo by first reaching the village of Pottuvil. You can take a rickshaw or hire a private car.
- Bentota. One of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka. There are many hotels of different price categories, restaurants, bars, shops. For lovers active rest the center is open aquatic species sports
Surfing
The island of Sri Lanka on the map is surrounded by the waters of the Laccadive Sea and the Indian Ocean. A real paradise for surf lovers. Due to the peculiarities, the water sports season does not stop here. In winter, surfers go to the southwest, in summer - to the east. There are enough specialized schools and instructors in Sri Lanka, the prices for their services are relatively low, which attracts tourists from all over the world. 
South West Coast due to the abundance of harbors and bays, it is more suitable for beginners. They should consider the following resorts:
- Welligama;
- Hikkaduwa;
- Mirissa;
- Tangalle;
- Matara.
The East Coast is for professionals; lovers of competing with the sea elements come here.
Professionals will appreciate:
- Arugam Bay;
- Pottuvil;
- Okandawara Bay;
- Koggala;
- Mirissa.
If you have skill in this sport, you can rent equipment and improve your skills yourself. Rental prices range from $2-4 per hour to $11-15 per day. You can immediately rent equipment for several days; it will be cheaper than paying for each day separately.
Learning by trial and error can be harmful to your health. To begin with, it is better to learn from professionals, take at least a couple of classes, fortunately, Sri Lanka provides a lot of opportunities.
The most economical option is local residents who have mastered the board so much that they began to teach the skill to others.
A local instructor asks for $10 or more, but no one guarantees his qualifications. It's like a lottery: you can find a professional, or you can end up with a self-confident amateur who will quit at the first danger. A much more reliable option is surf schools.
Athletes with international certificates train there. The cost of their services ranges from $15-40. This also includes equipment rental.
We should also highlight surfing centers with Russian-speaking instructors. This is a narrower segment, so prices here are much higher and start at $120. You can save a little and go to a group lesson, the cost of participation in which will be from $50. There is also a more interesting option in Sri Lanka, which will allow you not to worry about everyday issues. This
surf camps, special camps formed by surf lovers for like-minded people. Everything is organized here for comfortable rest
: accommodation, meals, training, equipment, various exercise equipment. Some surf camps also offer transfers and entertainment. But what is much more valuable is the company of fellow water sports fans.
Shopping
Shopping is an integral part of vacation for many.
- What you should bring from the island as a reminder of the sunny country:
- Traditional crafts. In Sri Lanka they make batik, make wooden masks and toys.
- Gemstones are mined and sold on the island, and custom jewelry is made within a few days.
- Tea. It is impossible to leave Ceylon without the famous tea. There are both classic black tea and various blends on sale.
Spices, including curry, saffron, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves and others.
Those wishing to purchase unique and high-quality locally produced goods are advised to visit large shopping centers. The best ones are in Colombo, although there are a few in Galle.
Kitchen
National cuisine Sri Lanka has been subjected to great influence India. Their traditions are similar: fish, seafood, rice and a lot of spices, especially curry.
But Sri Lankans prefer to subject their food to as little heat treatment as possible. Meat dishes are also prepared on the island. Basically it's chicken
. The cow is revered as a sacred animal, and beef is not eaten. But Sri Lanka is a paradise for seafood lovers! Their variety is greatest in coastal areas, where you can try delicacies for very little money.
The main food is rice, which is cooked with a variety of seasonings.
There is also a lot of greenery on the menu, including bamboo leaves, which are unusual for Europeans. Coconut is sold here in all possible forms: milk, pulp, oil and even palm nectar. Fruit lovers will be delighted by the rich variety of fruits at local markets.
Attractions Sri Lanka is a country with a rich and long history
, on the map of the island there are many attractions, both natural and man-made.
- Some of them definitely deserve attention: Adam's Peak.
- The most visited mountain on the island, which has become sacred to four religions. When the sun rises, a footprint appears to be visible on its slope. Each of the faiths considers this to be the merits of its saints. At the top there is a Buddhist temple. Sigiriya
is a city located on the top of a cliff among a sea of greenery. It is decorated with fountains, gardens and water cascades. Unique frescoes have been preserved on the walls of the ancient fortress.
You can tell a lot of interesting things about the country:
The island of Sri Lanka is a unique place on the world map, having absorbed the traditions of several cultures. Article format:
Svetlana Ovsyanikova
Video on the topic: Sri Lanka island
The island of Sri Lanka is a wonder of Asia: I have been and continue to visit the countries of South Asia very often, although most often for work, but in the most interesting places
I come again, this time for the sake of relaxation. In order to get impressions not on the run, but wisely and carefully. This time, I visited Sri Lanka or, as it is also called, the island of Ceylon.
How to get to the island of Ceylon I bought tickets, which from Moscow cost about 20,000 rubles. A few hours of flight and I’m there. The airport on the island is located in the town of Bandaranaike. From here you need to get to Colombo, which is thirty-five kilometers away. Sri Lanka is quite well developed, so you can safely choose a bus, a local train, or a taxi.
I decided not to take risks with bus routes, so I took a taxi, which cost only 300 rupees. While still in Moscow, I booked a room in one of the hotels located on Negombo beach.
The trip took no more than twenty minutes, but this is not surprising, the distance is short. I really liked the guest house, and from its windows you can clearly see the sea and even have your own piece of the beach. It is very comfortable. By the way, there are not many tourists here, so no one disturbed my peace. The price of the house was quite affordable - approximately 3,000 rubles per night.
A little about the history of Ceylon
The capital of the island is Sri Jayawardanapura, although there is also an unofficial one - this is Colombo, recognized by the international community. For many years the island was attacked by various conquerors. There were Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch and even British here.
Due to the fact that in Ceylon the leadership changed with enviable regularity, then architectural styles There's a lot of stuff mixed in here. On this moment, many modern high-rise buildings and houses have been built here.
Climate
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You can relax on the island all year round, thanks to the subequatorial climate. average temperature The air temperature stays at 26 degrees. Ceylon is always warm, but very humid. True, tsunamis occur here in the summer, so a winter holiday would be safer. By the way, in winter months It doesn't even rain here.
Transport
Transport links here are quite well developed. You can equally comfortably get to any point on the island by bus, taxi, or even by rail.
True, the fastest way is to travel by Tuk-Tuk. These are such funny things that vaguely resemble a three-wheeled motorcycle. Behind the driver there is a passenger booth. The drivers of these cars drive their vehicles so professionally that they are able to bypass almost any traffic jam or congestion on the road.
National food of Sri Lanka
Local food is very different from all European dishes. The fact is that spices and seasonings predominate here. The locals' favorite is curry. By the way, they eat very little meat on the island, preferring vegetables and fruits.
Local chefs are excellent at preparing seafood delicacies, so it is better to choose fish and seafood.
I can give advice right away. Under no circumstances try to eat in roadside cafes or shops. Very high risk of food poisoning. I didn’t go to just one cafe, I went around a dozen establishments. And she made disappointing conclusions.
But, in addition to local restaurants, there are also European ones. So there is plenty to choose from.
Sights of Ceylon
There are a lot of religious sites on the island. Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is considered one of the most important. 
True, it was completed not so long ago - in the first half of the twentieth century, but the first mentions of it date back to the third century BC. I was especially impressed by the colorful frescoes on the walls. This temple is a true example of Sinhala architecture.
The Sri Ponnambala Vaneswaram Temple is curious because a harvest festival is held on its premises every year. Its walls are made of light gray granite. The surprising thing is that there is no riot of colors here, as is usually the case in local temples.
I also visited the Dutch Museum. There are many exhibits on display here dedicated to the times of the Dutch rule over Sri Lanka. There are coins, weapons, and household items here. Previously, this building housed an institute and a post office. Entry costs 500 rupees. To be honest, not a particularly interesting place. A museum is like a museum. I have seen exhibitions much more interesting than this one.
You can visit the Yami Ul Alfar Mosque for free, which is attractive with its red and white colors. 
I didn’t go inside, I just took a few photos.
Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar Murti is a temple dedicated to the famous Hindu gods Shiva and Ganesha. By the way, the most beloved god among Hindus is Ganesha with the head of an elephant. He is believed to be the god of all that is good in the world. And that it was he who accomplished all the wonders of the world.
Island of Ceylon. Tea plantations
It was the tea plantations that glorified the island of Ceylon for many years. Many people probably remember that same tea in a yellow packet with an elephant drawn on it. This tea was brought exactly from this island. The quality of the tea is excellent. Ceylon offers excellent excursions to tea plantations.
Here you can see how tea grows and how it is harvested. There is also a factory for sorting and packaging tea leaves. There is also a restaurant on site where you can taste all types of tea growing on the island. There are so many of these types that I couldn’t try them all, I was afraid of bursting))). You can also buy aromatic tea here as a souvenir for your family. I picked up ten packs, probably out of greed.
Seafood market
It is better to come here very early, preferably around 6 am. Just at this time, fishermen return with a fresh catch. There is absolutely everything your little one wants: crabs, lobsters, shrimp, lobsters and much more. They also cook fish here.
Amazing smells emanate from everywhere. By the way, women cook here and adequate conditions have been created for cooking. I wasn't afraid to eat. The shrimp and mussels were absolutely delicious. And prices are significantly lower than in city restaurants.
Beach holiday
The cleanest and most well-groomed beaches of the coast are located along Lewis Place. This is where expensive hotels are located that monitor the cleanliness of the area. There are also a large number of restaurants and cafes for tourists. There are even a couple of shopping centers. So, while on the island, be sure to take a walk along this street.
There is also Negombo beach on the island, but it’s better not to go here. He is somehow unkempt and uncomfortable. Although there are tourists who relax here like savages. The beach may not be particularly clean, but the water is crystal clear.
How to entertain yourself in Ceylon
There are a lot of entertainments for tourists here, albeit related to water. Diving is considered the most popular. Diving can be done in Hikkaduwa Bay or Trincomalee Bay. Equipment can be rented for a nominal fee.
My favorite thing was swimming with the sea turtles. 
To do this, you need to go to the South Coast, since this is where the most of them are found. Probably the locals feed them. If there are no turtles nearby, you can rent a boat and go further from the shore. The guides know almost all the places where their flocks can be found.
You can go surfing at Hikkaduwa Beach. It is here that huge waves arise, the height of which reaches four meters. On the beach itself there are themed clubs for surfers. Personally, I don’t like standing on the board, or rather, I can’t. And constantly falling and catching the board makes me very nervous.
Shopping in Ceylon
Many tourists, coming to the island of Ceylon, prefer to buy pearls and precious stones such as rubies, sapphires and topazes. The extraction of these jewels is well established here. Even tourists are allowed to participate in the mining. True, for a fee. True, you need to purchase pebbles only in large stores, this way you can protect yourself from counterfeiting.
Conclusion
I was on the island for only 5 days, but I had enough time to enjoy the local beauty and attractions. I think that I will not visit the island of Ceylon again very soon. It is beautiful and interesting, but personally I prefer places where the infrastructure is more developed.
