We welcome you to our beautiful Island, Sri Lanka. The Island’s breathtaking diversity of scenery will capture your heart and soul like no other destination. May the time you spend in our island be filled with exciting experiences- memories of which you will carry long after you leave our shores.

Sri Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean is located to the South of the Indian subcontinent. It lies between 5 degree 55 minutes and 9 degree 55 minutes North of the equator and between the Eastern longitudes 79 degree 42 minutes and 81 degree 52 minutes. The total land area is 65,610 sq km and is astonishingly varied. A length of 445 km and breadth of 225 km encompasses beautiful tropical beaches, verdant vegetation, ancient monuments and a thousand delights to please all tastes. The relief features of the island consist of a mountainous mass somewhat South of the Centre, with height exceeding 2,500 meters, surrounded by broad plains. Palm fringed beaches surround the island and the sea temperature rarely fall below 27 C.

There is evidence of a natural land bridge connecting Sri Lanka with India at this point, and indeed this vanished causeway, only a few meters below sea level, is still known as Adam’s Bridge. This close proximity to the subcontinent has meant that Sri Lanka’s history and ecology have always been exposed to strong influences from its larger neighbour.

The Island consists mostly of flat to rolling coastal plains, with mountains rising only in the South central part. The highest point is Pidurutalagala, reaching 2,524 meters (8,281 ft) above sea level. The climate is tropical and warm, due to the moderating effects of ocean winds. Mean temperature range from 17⁰C (62.6⁰F) in the central highlands, where frost may occur for several days in the winter, to a maximum of 33⁰C (91.4⁰F) in other low-altitude areas. Average yearly temperatures range from 28⁰C (82.4⁰F). Day and night temperatures may vary from 14⁰C (25.2⁰F) to 18⁰ C (32.4⁰F).

Rainfall pattern is influenced by monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. The “wet zone” and some of the windward slopes of the central highlands receive up to 2,500 millimeters (98.4 in) of rain each year, but the leeward slopes in the East and Northeast receive little rain. Most of the East, Southeast, and Northern parts of Sri Lanka comprise the “dry zone”, which receives between 1,200 and 1,900 mm (47 and 75 in) of rain annually.

The arid Northwest and Southeast coasts receive the least amount of rain at 800 to 1,200 mm (31 to 47 in) per year. Periodic squalls occur and sometimes tropical cyclones bring overcast skies and rains to the Southwest, Northwest, and Eastern parts of the Island. Humidity is typically higher in the Southwest and mountainous areas and depends on the seasonal patterns of rainfall.

Sri Lanka is filled with amazing diversity of scenery. It is possible to pass brilliant green paddy fields, sun-bronzed beaches, ruined cities, small lively villages, near desert regions, sanctuaries for wildlife in topical jungles, and hill country tea plantations literally within hours of each other.

The island’s Economy, has traditionally been based on agriculture, with rice as the main food crop. Spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg and pepper have been age old exports, as were gems and even peacocks and elephants. With western commercial influence, rice gave way to cash crops, until the British made tea the base of the economy.

Sri Lanka has an extensive road network for Island transportation. With more than 100,000 km of paved roads, it has one of the highest road densities in the world (1.5 km of paved roads per every 1sq.km. of Island). E-grade highways are the latest addition to Sri Lanka’s road network. These are access-controlled, high-mobility roads with permitted speeds up to 100 km/h. these highways connect local communities together, by-passing busy and congested town centers.

The people of Sri Lanka are of diverse races and faiths. The majority are Sinhalese who are Buddhists, while among the minorities the Tamils, mainly Hindus are the largest, followed by the moors who follow Islam, and a sharply declining number of Burghers, descended from the Portuguese and Dutch, who are Christians. There is also a considerable population of Christians among the Sinhalese and Tamils.

Dishes include rice and curry, pittu, kiribath, wholemeal roty, string hoppers, wattalapam (a rich pudding of Malay origin made of coconut milk, jaggery, cashew nuts, eggs, and spices including cinnamon and nutmeg), kottu, and hoppers. Jackfruit may sometimes replace rice. Traditionally food is served on a plantains leaf or lotus leaf.

Few places in the world can offer the traveller such a remarkable combination of stunning landscapes, pristine, beaches, captivating cultural heritage and unique experience within such a compact location. Within a mere area of 65,610 kilometers lie 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1,330 kilometers of coastline – much of it pristine beach – 15 national parks showcasing an abundance of wildlife, nearly 500,000 acres of lush tea estates, 250 acres of botanical gardens, 350 waterfalls, 25,000 water bodies, to a culture that extends back to over 2,500 years.

This is an Island of magical proportions, once known as Serandip, Taprobane, the Pearl of Indian ocean, and Ceylon. Discover refreshingly Sri Lanka.