Situated in the Indian Ocean south of India, Sri Lanka is a small island that’s big on natural beauty, fascinating architecture and historical attractions. Personified by its tea plantations, spice farms and white sandy beaches, Sri Lanka has a wealth of wildlife including tropical birds, elephants and leopards and a richness and resplendence that evokes great affection in its visitors. Tourists should note that Sri Lanka suffers from internal conflict due to fighting between the Sri Lankan authorities and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). At times there is a risk to security in the Northern and Eastern areas of the island and travellers are recommended to consult the Foreign Office website for the latest information before they travel to that area. Most tourist resorts are in the south and west and are well away from the troubled areas.
Ancient ruins, sandy beaches and tropical tranquility are the theme of Sri Lanka...
Sri Lankan holidays are ideally suited to backpackers or groups of friends, couples of all ages and honeymooners seeking a haven for rest, relaxation and a little sightseeing. The south and west of the island sees the best of the weather during December to March (May to November is rainy season in this area), whilst the eastern coast fares best from May through to September. This is also the peak season for tourists so if the occasional downpour won’t dampen your spirits visit off-season for cheaper flights and accommodation. The Kandy Esala Perahera festival held in July and August is a ten day extravaganza featuring dancers, drummers and decorated elephants, whilst in January Buddha’s visit to Sri Lanka is celebrated in the city of Columbo. The flight time to Sri Lanka is around 13 hours from selected UK airports including Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester.
Columbo is the location of Sri Lanka’s international airport and it is somewhat less tranquil than the rest of the island due to its crazy hotchpotch of narrow streets and noisy congestion. Despite this, the city has a certain charm and the liveliest nightlife including a selection of upmarket bars and fine restaurants serving up traditional Sri Lankan dishes and fabulous fusion foods. There’s a variety of shops to suit all budgets, with colourful textiles, locally produced handicrafts and pretty trinkets all readily available. Car hire can be a nerve-wracking experience due to the packed streets and sheer number of pedestrians, cars and non-motorised vehicles, while buses are usually crammed to capacity. Travel by train or, if your budget allows for it, hire a car with a driver. This is a very cost effective and friendly way of seeing the island.
Galle, on the south coast, is one of the prettiest towns on the island and best known for its imposing Dutch Fort that once withstood invasion and today provides shelter for museums, churches and ancient Dutch houses. Inside its walls lie peaceful cobbled streets whilst the area beyond is bustling with markets and packed with Tuk-Tuks ferrying tourists to the nearby beaches.
Those keen on a little culture will find the royal heritage of Anuradhapura, the ruling city of the Sinhalese monarchy, both fascinating and compelling. Filled with ancient, crumbling ruins and holy sites, Anuradhapura is a popular destination for Buddhist’s pilgrimages because of its many ancient Buddhist monuments. There are ceremonial baths, monasteries and the temple of the holy Bo-tree, which was grown from a sapling of the tree under which the Buddha found enlightenment more than 2500 years ago. Similarly, the greatest attraction in the city of Kandy is the ‘Temple of the Tooth’ (Dalada Maligawa), which houses the scared tooth of Buddha.
The Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, situated around 80km from Columbo on the road to Kandy, is home to around 60 elephants – many of which are babies found abandoned or orphaned in the wild. Visitors to the orphanage have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feed baby elephants by bottle and if you time your visit just right you can see the elephants bathing in the river, which is quite a sight. Nearby, tourists can take an elephant ride and learn more about the history and background of individual elephants, including Sama – a three legged elephant that lost a leg when she stepped on a landmine.
Once you’ve had your fill of the sights, head to the beach resort of Hikkaduwa to cool off. Based on the south western coast of the island just a few hours from Columbo, visitors will find plenty of water-based activities including snorkelling and scuba-diving (it’s well worth exploring the wrecks in the bay) and a variety of restaurants, chilled-out cafes and accommodation to suit all budgets. Glass bottomed boats offer spectacular views of the coral reefs just off shore and the sunsets here are claimed to be some of the best in the world. As dusk falls dine out on fresh seafood (fish is the speciality) at one of the many waterfront eateries along the strip.
Most beach hotels cater well for the UK holiday market with good standards of accommodation and food. Sri Lankans are very friendly people and love to share their homeland with visitors.
