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Sri Lanka |
Capital: Colombo
Official Language: Sinhala
Currency: Sri Lanka Rupee
Sri Lanka also called Ceylon is a beautiful island nation in south Asia. Sri Lanka abounds in some beautiful natural attractions namely tropical forests, beaches, landscape and rich cultural heritage. Negombo, Beruwela, Bentota, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Weligama, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Kalkudah and Nilaveli are some exotic beaches of Sri Lanka. There are also ample options for the nature lovers with some grand national parks and reserves. Ruhuna National Park, Wilpattu National Park, Gal Oya National Park, Maduru Oya National Park, Uda Walawe National Park, Wasgamuwa National Park and Bundala National Park treasure some unique and rarefied floras and faunas. The sanctuaries at Kumana, Wirawila, Bundala, and Kalametiya can said to be the ornithological paradise of the whole of south Asia. Also termed as Emerald Isle, Serendib, Teardrop of India and Pearl of the Orient, Sri Lanka is just the ideal destination to place your feet on.
Major Cities
Colombo is the largest city in Sri Lanka. Colombo, Kotte, Galle, Jaffna, Kandy and Kurunegala are the other major cities of Sri Lanka. Colombo located in the south west coast of Sri Lanka is a flourishing seaport and the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo National Museum situated in the Cinnamon Gardens area, is a grand tourist attraction exhibiting collectibles used by king Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe. Nightlife in Colombo is vibrant with numerous casinos, bars and pubs. Bank of Ceylon, Parliament Building, Jami Ul Alfar Mosque, Lionel Wendt Theatre and theTower Hall are worth watching in Sri Lanka. Kotte located in the east of Colombo is also known as Sri Jaya Vardhana Pura Kotte or the blessed fortress city. Galle is an urban town situated in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. Galle is a fortified city with some exotic monuments displaying European and south Asian architectural styles. The Galle Fort built by European invaders is a world heritage site. Jaffna city is a seaport and a major trading center of the Jaffna Peninsula in northern Sri Lanka. There are also some historical cities in Sri Lanka namely Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambula, Arthalanthaya, Yapahuwa, and Aluvihara. Situated in the north-central part of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is to be a spellbinding monastic city that has served as the royal capital in the ancient periods. Kandy is a picturesque hill town of distinct flavor. Its chief attraction is the octagonal Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth, which houses the sacred tooth of Buddha.
Tourist Attractions
The port of Galle is a premier tourist attraction of Sri Lanka. The sturdy Dutch houses, museums and ramparts are of great historical significance. The New Oriental Hotel, built for Dutch governors represents marvelous colonial architecture with a grand atmospheric bar. The spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya displays a rock art gallery. There are also water gardens, beautiful rock paintings and grafittis offering awe-inspiring views. Trincomalee situated on the north east coast of Sri Lanka is a natural deep-water harbor. Hikkaduwa is a unique beach resort of Sri Lanka. It hosts good restaurants, cafe-lined beaches and exciting snorkeling and diving options. There are also plenty of handicraft shops displaying some traditional artifacts of Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is a beautiful hill station with a blend of Tudor and Georgian architecture. The nearby botanic gardens and tea plantation areas in the surrounding hills offer pleasant vistas.
Transport and Accommodtaion
Sri Lanka is accessible only by air. Colombo is the international airport operating flights from Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. . There are no domestic passenger flights in Sri Lanka, flying to various travel areas of the country. Train travel is comfortable but slower. There are numerous hotels and luxurious resorts available near the main tourist centers. The hotels provide comfortable accommodation with well-furnished rooms and other modern amenities. Local transport includes buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws.
Precaution
Continuous disagreement between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE or Tamil Tiger has given rise to violent internal disturbances in various parts of Sri Lanka. Areas like Anuradhapura, Nilaveli, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Arugam Bay and Ampara are unsafe for travellers. Massive bomb attacks have been recorded in the southern city of There is no proper maintenance of security in the Jaffna Peninsula. The capital, Colombo, has also experienced a number of bombings. Travellers should garner proper information and exercise a high level of caution prior visiting the terrorist affected areas of Sri Lanka.
For further details and information on Sri Lanka and its tourist destinations flip through the pages of Allwonderscountries
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