Ceylon is the famous tea island of the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka - read about Sri Lanka before traveling to Mirissa island - the best beach

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 civil war broke out on its territory, 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 mainly prefer beach holidays and treat the capital as a transit point, but there is still 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 has interethnic status, but it 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.

Some airlines allow you to get a visa on arrival. On board the plane, you must fill out a migration card, present it at customs along with return air tickets and a receipt, and affix a permit stamp. A number of companies may refuse this opportunity.

Currency

The official currency of the state is the Sri Lankan rupee. Its course is constant, changes infrequently and smoothly.

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, the best resorts can be identified:

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 - an ideal place 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. There are really beautiful sandy beaches here, wide, clean, golden white.

A list of the best of them is presented below:

• Negombo beach. It is located closest to the international airport, so many people come here to soak in the warm water before heading 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 of active recreation there is a water sports center.

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.

The southwestern coast, due to the abundance of harbors and bays, 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 have begun 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 a comfortable stay: 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.

You can make purchases at the market, in local shops, and souvenir shops. Aggressive trading is not accepted here, but if you try to negotiate amicably, you can knock down up to a quarter of the price.

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

The national cuisine of Sri Lanka has been greatly influenced by 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 state with a rich and long history; the map of the island has 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:

English: Wikipedia is making the site more secure. You are using an old web browser that will not be able to connect to Wikipedia in the future. Please update your device or contact your IT administrator.

中文: The以下提供更长，更具技术性的更新（仅英语 ）。

Spanish: Wikipedia está haciendo el sitio más seguro. Usted está utilizando un navegador web viejo que no será capaz de conectarse a Wikipedia en el futuro. Actualice su dispositivo o contacte a su administrador informático. Más abajo hay una actualización más larga y más técnica en inglés.

ﺎﻠﻋﺮﺒﻳﺓ: ويكيبيديا تسعى لتأمين الموقع أكثر من ذي قبل. أنت تستخدم متصفح وب قديم لن يتمكن من الاتصال بموقع ويكيبيديا في المستقبل. يرجى تحديث جهازك أو الاتصال بغداري تقنية المعلومات الخاص بك. يوجد تحديث فني أطول ومغرق في التقنية باللغة الإنجليزية تاليا.

Français: Wikipédia va bientôt augmenter la securité de son site. Vous utilisez actuellement un navigateur web ancien, qui ne pourra plus se connecter à Wikipédia lorsque ce sera fait. Merci de mettre à jour votre appareil ou de contacter votre administrateur informatique à cette fin. Des informations supplémentaires plus techniques et en anglais sont disponibles ci-dessous.

日本語: ? ??? IT 情報は以下に英語で提供しています。

German: Wikipedia erhöht die Sicherheit der Webseite. Du benutzt einen alten Webbrowser, der in Zukunft nicht mehr auf Wikipedia zugreifen können wird. Bitte aktualisiere dein Gerät oder sprich deinen IT-Administrator an. Ausführlichere (und technisch detailliertere) Hinweise findest Du unten in englischer Sprache.

Italiano: Wikipedia sta rendendo il sito più sicuro. Stay usando un browser web che non sarà in grado di connettersi a Wikipedia in futuro. Per favore, aggiorna il tuo dispositivo o contatta il tuo amministratore informatico. Più in basso è disponibile un aggiornamento più dettagliato e tecnico in inglese.

Magyar: Biztonságosabb lesz a Wikipédia. A böngésző, amit használsz, nem lesz képes kapcsolódni a jövőben. Használj modernebb szoftvert vagy jelezd a problémát a rendszergazdádnak. Alább olvashatod a részletesebb magyarázatot (angolul).

Svenska: Wikipedia gör sidan mer säker. Du använder en äldre webbläsare som inte kommer att kunna läsa Wikipedia i framtiden. Uppdatera din enhet eller kontakta din IT-administratör. Det finns en längre och mer teknisk förklaring på engelska längre ned.

हिन्दी: विकिपीडिया साइट को और अधिक सुरक्षित बना रहा है। आप एक पुराने वेब ब्राउज़र का उपयोग कर रहे हैं जो भविष्य में विकिपीडिया से कनेक्ट नहीं हो पाएगा। कृपया अपना डिवाइस अपडेट करें या अपने आईटी व्यवस्थापक से संपर्क करें। नीचे अंग्रेजी में एक लंबा और अधिक तकनीकी अद्यतन है।

We are removing support for insecure TLS protocol versions, specifically TLSv1.0 and TLSv1.1, which your browser software relies on to connect to our sites. This is usually caused by outdated browsers, or older Android smartphones. Or it could be interference from corporate or personal "Web Security" software, which actually downgrades connection security.

You must upgrade your web browser or otherwise fix this issue to access our sites. This message will remain until Jan 1, 2020. After that date, your browser will not be able to establish a connection to our servers.

Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean, located south of the Hindustan Peninsula. The total area is 65,610 sq. km, the length from north to south is 445 km, and from west to east 225 km. In the center of the island is the Central Mountain Range.

The average height of the mountains is 1000-2000 m above sea level, but some peaks rise higher.

The highest point of the island, Mount Pidurutalagala, has a height of 2524 m. However, the most famous is the majestic Adam's Peak (2243 m).

Typically, on weekdays stores are open from 9:30 to 17:00, and on Saturdays from 9:30 to 13:00. The addresses of stores recommended by the Ministry of Tourism of Sri Lanka can be found in many guides to the island.

In addition to tea, which, by the way, is allowed to be exported as a souvenir in quantities of more than three kilograms, items made of silver and copper are considered traditional souvenirs. These products are manufactured in the Kandy region. The Kandy region also produces beautiful pottery. They are painted mainly in red tones, decorated with various patterns. In the south of the island, various demon masks are made.

The most ancient folk crafts include wood carving and the production of various fabrics. Sri Lanka is famous for its rich selection of precious and semi-precious stones and silk.

Tipping is not required. However, a hotel receptionist or a restaurant waiter will be happy with a few extra rupees.

It is recommended to wear light cotton clothing and a hat. Be sure to stock up on sunscreen and sunburn lotion. There are no strict requirements for clothing in the country, but you should not visit temples in shorts, in clothes with open backs and shoulders, and you must take off your shoes when entering the temple.

Climate

Equatorial, with monsoon seasons.

Almost 95% of all precipitation falls during the summer rainy season. The rest of the months are quite dry. Only in the northeast of the island does it rain in the fall, when the northeast monsoon passes over Ceylon.

The air temperature on the island practically does not change and is 26-28 C all year round. In the mountains of the central part of the island it is cooler, and at the coldest point, the mountain resort of Nuwara Eliya, located at an altitude of 1880 meters above sea level, it is approximately 15 C.

There is high air humidity in Sri Lanka, and you can feel it when you get off the plane, when you get the feeling that you are being hit with a warm, “bath” stream of air.

Language

The official languages ​​are Tamil, Sinhala and English. The total population is 15 million people. The country is ethnically multinational, the population consists of Sinhalese, Tamils, burghers (descendants of the Portuguese and Dutch) and Moors (descendants of Arab traders).

Currency

From Monday to Friday, banks are usually open from 9.00 to 13.00-15.00. During holidays, as well as on Saturday and Sunday, they are closed. The exchange of money is allowed only in banks and organizations that have received permission to do so. The list of these organizations includes most hotels.

Transport

Driving is on the left.

ශ්‍රී ලංකා ප්‍රජාතාන්ත්‍රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය

Capital- city of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
Square- 65,610 sq. km.
Population— 21.6 million people
Language- Sinhala and Tamil
Form of government- mixed republic
Independence date (from Great Britain)— February 4, 1948
The largest city —
Currency— Sri Lankan rupee
Timezone — +5:30
Telephone code — +94

At the official level the country is called Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The state is located in southern Asia on the territory of the island of Sri Lanka in the southwestern part of the coast of Hindustan. Until the country gained independence, it was called Ceylon. The official capital of the state is the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, where the supreme court and parliament are located. However, the actual capital is the city. The residence of the country's president is located here and the government meets. Dondra is the southern cape of the island, Dutch Bay is the western.

Sri Lanka - video

The island of Sri Lanka is washed by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The Palk Strait and the Gulf of Manara separate Sri Lanka from Hindustan. In the past, the island was connected to the mainland by the so-called Adam's Bridge (a sandbar in the Palk Strait), but according to legend, the bridge was destroyed during one of the earthquakes. In the center of the country there are mountain ranges, the rest of the territory is predominantly lowland. The highest mountain peak is located at an altitude of 2,524 meters above sea level and is called Pidurutalagala. The island's subequatorial monsoon climate is determined by the northeast and southwest monsoons that blow throughout the year.
The largest rivers Sri Lanka are Kalu, Aruvi-Aru, Kelani, Mahaweli-Ganga.

According to the government census conducted in the summer of 2013, the country is home to about 21.6 million people. By nationality we can distinguish Sinhalese (about 75%), Tamils ​​(about 18%), Sri Lankan Moors (about 7%), burghers (about 0.3%), Veddas (about 1 thousand people). Religiously, the country's population is divided into followers of Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam - 70%, 15%, 8% and 7%, respectively.

The country's calling card is tea. In terms of its production volumes, Sri Lanka is third in the world, second only to China and. The country has achieved the greatest success in the extraction of precious stones, rubber and cinnamon. The textile industry occupies a leading position in terms of export volumes (about 63%), agriculture - about 20%. The country has a fairly extensive network of bus routes, which are served by both the state bus company and private enterprises. You can get to any corner of the island by bus, but traveling there will be little fun due to dirt, dust, crowding and low speed (no more than 45 km/h). There are also more comfortable buses, but getting on them is quite difficult - tickets must be booked in advance at bus stations or at transport agencies.

It is worth mentioning the island's railway transport. The railway connection connects large cities with each other. The trains have carriages of different classes with and without air conditioning. A world-famous restored train, which was built back in 1928, runs along one of the routes. Sri Lanka has Bandaranaike International Airport, located approximately 35 kilometers from. The airport was built by the British in 1940 and was initially used as a military airport.

Sights of Sri Lanka

Bambarakanda waterfall

Waterfall "Bridal Veil"

On the territory of the state there are famous Ceylon tea plantations, which was first brought here from China in 1824. In the second half of the 19th century, tea was first grown here on an industrial scale - James Taylor, a planter from Scotland, did this, planting about 80 hectares of land with tea.

1. In Sri Lanka, internal national conflicts occur quite often, so do not be surprised by the large number of military personnel on the streets and roadblocks. Train and bus stations in the country are usually surrounded by fences, and all passengers must show identification upon entry. In the southern part of the country the situation is somewhat calmer, so there are usually fewer checks here.

2. When visiting restaurants or cafes, pay attention to what the food you ordered is prepared from, since all the dishes here are spicy. To avoid misunderstandings, ask the waiter serving your table about the composition of a particular dish. You should choose sauces especially carefully. If you have eaten very spicy food, then you do not need to wash it down with water - it is better to eat bread or unleavened flatbread.

3. If you want to order tea in a cafe, take the trouble to explain how you need to brew it, since here they do it a little differently than in Europe.

4. The main dish in Sri Lanka is rice, which is served on a separate large plate, along with small saucers with various spices and seasonings.

5. Do not be alarmed if you are offered to buy soft drugs on the street - this is considered a common occurrence here, despite the fact that the laws of the country provide for the highest penalty for distribution and possession of drugs - the death penalty.

6. Be sure to wash your hands very thoroughly before eating. It is better to scald vegetables with boiling water. Water should be drunk exclusively from plastic bottles with factory caps.

7. Residents of the country are very friendly with tourists, although this attitude is not always pleasant, as sometimes it develops into intrusiveness (this mainly applies to local street vendors and tour guides).

8. In Sri Lanka, entry to many beaches is free, however, the beaches at some hotels are closed. Hunting animals and collecting corals is strictly prohibited here.

9. It is best to dress in the country in light clothes made of natural fabric in light shades. If you are going to climb the mountains, be sure to take warm clothes with you.

10. When visiting temples, you must take off your shoes and hats. It is prohibited to enter such places wearing short skirts and shorts, as well as bare shoulders and backs. Do not turn your back on Buddha statues, do not show your feet or the soles of shoes to others, do not take photographs of the local population without permission, and do not offend cows, as they are sacred animals here.

11. It is not at all necessary to leave a tip in restaurants or hotels. Sometimes they are included in the total bill for a service or meal.

12. The voltage in the local power supply is 230-240V, and the sockets are three-pin, so to use them you need to purchase a special adapter.

Good afternoon, dear readers! As always, I start a new section with general information. Meet Sri Lanka - information about the country: where the island is located, what the climate is, about the local residents, their religion and philosophy, safety and attractions.

Sri Lanka is a very beautiful tropical country with a rich history and amazing nature. The official name of the state is the Democratic Socialist Republic. Previously, before independence, it was called Ceylon, which translated means glorious, blessed land.

The island is located in the Indian Ocean, not far from Hindustan. Its length is 430 km, width 225 km, area approximately 65,000 sq/km. The coastline stretches for 1340 km. In the central part of Sri Lanka there are mountains, along the entire coast there is a plain.

Climate

Sri Lanka is only 650 km away. from the equator, so it has a subequatorial monsoon climate. Moreover, at the same time, in every place of the country, the weather conditions are different. From October to March in the northeast it rains and strong winds blow, and in the southwest the weather is like this from June to October. Accordingly, the dry season in the first case begins in the summer, and in the second - in the winter. Be sure to take this information into account when planning your holiday in Sri Lanka.

The air temperature is almost independent of the changing seasons. On the coast it ranges from +27 to +32, in the mountains the daytime temperature is +18 - +20, the night temperature sometimes drops to + 10 degrees.

During the monsoon season there are short showers at night and strong winds often blow. The ocean becomes turbulent, large waves rise, but the water off the coast remains as warm as in the dry season, +27 - +29 degrees.

Population and religion

Sri Lanka is a multinational state in which people of different nationalities and religions live, about 20 million people.

The main population of the country is the Sinhalese, while the Tamils ​​live in the northeast. Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages. English is used for international communication.

The main religion of Sri Lanka is Buddhism. Hinduism was the main religion before the introduction of Buddhism, now there are few Hindus. Even fewer people profess Islam and Christianity.

Currency

The government currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). One Sri Lankan rupee is equal to 100 cents. The exchange rate changes slowly, but over the years the rupee has become cheaper relative to the dollar.

Attractions

Sri Lanka is rich in its cultural heritage. There are many historical monuments here that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. These include the historical cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the rock fortress of Sigiriya, sacred Kandy, the Golden Temple in Dambulla, the old part of Galle and its fortifications, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve, and the highlands of Central Sri Lanka.

It is very interesting to visit the waterfalls and tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plateau, Adam Peak/Sri Pada, Royal Botanic Gardens, Yala, Mineriya, Bundala and Udawalawa National Parks. Excursions to these places will allow you to learn a lot of interesting information about Sri Lanka.

Safety

The Tamil-Sinhala conflict raged in the country for many years, but in 2009 it ended with the victory of government troops. However, security measures are still heightened in Sri Lanka, people in military uniform are often seen on the streets, and there are checkpoints on the roads.

The criminal situation on the island of Sri Lanka is quite favorable. Serious crimes do not occur often. Basically, theft and fraud prevail.

In large cities and tourist centers, tourist police units keep order.

Each country is unique in its own way. Every resort has its own characteristics. When going on a trip, it is better to familiarize yourself with the nuances of your vacation in advance. You can read useful information about Sri Lanka for tourists in my article. Learn a brief overview of the island's beach resorts.

Dear friends! Be careful when entering the water. The ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka is treacherous, in many places there are huge waves, and there are dangerous underwater currents. I wrote about this in more detail.

You can find a description of some of the island’s attractions and my personal impressions in the section. You might also want to talk about your holiday in Sri Lanka, write a review, a review or a story, I will definitely publish it in the “Readers Travel” section. How to do it? Read.

Leave comments, subscribe to blog updates, there is still a lot of useful information ahead. Don’t forget to share the article on social networks, let your friends also know about this wonderful place.

Now I say goodbye to you for a while, until we meet again!

Tatiana Solomatina