Geography: Sri Lanka is an island that lies in the Indian Ocean, 353 Km long from north to south and 183 Km at its widest, and it covers an area of 66,000 sq Km. The highest mountain in the Hill Country region is Piduruthalagala at 2,524 Meters, and Adam's peak which is situated in the Ratnapura district at 2224 Meters – where the Buddhists in Sri Lanka believe that Lord Gautama Buddha (The founder of Buddhism), left the print of his foot on Adam's Peak, and it is called "Sri Pada", which means “holy footprint”.

Nationality - noun: Sri Lankan(s) - adjective: Sri Lankan

Population - A population of around 17 million.

Ethnic groups - Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Moor 7%, Burgher, Malay, and Vedda 1% Religion - Buddhism is the dominant Religion in Sri Lanka and it plays an important role in the country Spiritually and Culturally, it is followed by 74% of the population.

Language - National Languages, Sinhala and Tamil and the Official Languages are Sinhala, Tamil and English.

Climate- Tropical monsoon - northeast monsoon (December to March), southwest monsoon (June to October).

Working Hours- The working days are mainly from Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Some Organizations are open on Saturdays till about 1.00 pm.

Time - The country is six hours ahead of GMT.


Historical places of Interest
Colombo
Colombo is the main city of Sri Lanka with its main harbor, a city both busy and calm and modern, a city worthy for visitors to experience the elegance. The city is ideal for Shopping, entertainment, and to enjoy delicious Sri Lankan food and international cuisines - excellent hotels and not forgetting the “zoo” located in “Dehiwala”, with a wide collection of animals, an excellent aquarium and the zoo with its fine range of remarkable birds. The “Galle face Green” provides a spectacular view of the Indian Ocean, and the city is also historical with its museum and beautiful parks. Historical Buddhist Temples, Churches, Hindu temples and mosques are other places of interest. For “Swimming”, the “Mt Lavinia Beach” could be considered best, just 11 km south of Fort!

Anuradhapura
ounded in 437 B.C, Anuradhapura is one of the most important and extensive ancient city of Sri Lanka, most famous for its Buddhist ruins that includes several colossal Stupas, which is a holy place for Buddhists – the city is surrounded by vegetable gardens.

Why the city is considered Holy for the Buddhists?
The Lord Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment (bodhi) under the Bo-Tree at Bodh Gaya (west central Bihar state, India). The sacred “bo-tree” at Anuradhapura was grown from a slip of the tree at Bodh Gaya in India, which was sent to Anuradhapura by King Ashoka in the 3rd century BC.

Adam's Peak
The Height, 7,353 ft, Adam's peak is situated in the Ratnapura district. The Buddhists in Sri Lanka believe that, Lord Buddha (The founder of Buddhism), left the print of his foot on Adam's Peak, which is called "Sri Pada", which means “holy footprint”.

Bentota
Approximately an hour’s drive, 64 km from Colombo, is a city famous for its Beach and hotels and cultural displays.

Dambulla
One of Sri Lanka’s finest “Cave Temples” stands at Dambulla, dates back to 1st century BC, which was converted to Shrines with life size, sitting, standing ….etc images of Lord Gautama Buddha as well as Hindu gods. Each cave is decorated with mural paintings of scenes from the Life Of Gautama the Buddha.

Galle
The Portuguese first landed to the Galle Port in the 16th century, in Sri Lanka. In 1640 the Portuguese had to surrender to the Dutch and the Dutch built the present Fort in the year 1663. In the year 1796, the British took over the country from the Dutch, the port was kept same. Galle Fort, 116km from Colombo, is a world heritage site and the largest “remaining” fortress in Asia built by the European invaders.

Hikkaduwa
99 km from Colombo, Hikkaduwa is popular for its Beach and for its Astonishing food, both local and international cuisines; this city is also ideal for underwater explorers and surfers and for undersea corals.

Kandy
Like Anuradhapura, Kataragama, and Adam's Peak, this hill country is surrounded by lush mountain scenery's, rivers and lakes, and is 115km away from Colombo, which was the last kingdom in Sri Lanka. Kandy, is an important city for the Buddhists, and to those travelers, both Spiritually and culturally. It is in this city the most important Buddhist relic (The sacred tooth of Lord Gautama Buddha) is enshrined, in DALADA MALIGAWA or the “Temple of the Tooth”, a place where devout Buddhists from all over the word visit for veneration.

The Sacred Tooth Of Gautama The Buddha was snatched from the flames of his funeral pyre in 543 BC, and was smuggled into Ceylon during the 4th century AD, hidden in the hair of a princess. This city is also famed for the great Kandy Esala Perahera, the Peradeniya Botanic Gardens, 6Km from Kandy, for its fine collection of orchids, royal palms, renowned for its finest handicrafts, Kandyan jewellery, silver, gems and for the fantastic Kandy Lake created in 1807 by Sri Wickrama Rajasinha, who the last ruler of Kandy and for its Scenic Beauty. It is a Land of Paradise!

Kataragama
228km south of Colombo, Kataragama is one important pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka, it is a Holy place for Buddhists, Hindus and the Muslims. The reason of importance visiting Kataragama for the Buddhist is, the great chronicle of Ceylon history (Mahawamsa) says, the Bo-Sapling ( Bodhi Tree under which, Lord Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, west central Bihar state, India) was brought to Anuradhapura from India, the warriors ( Kshatriyas ) from Katharagama were present on the occasion to pay homage and respect to the Buddha. It is also believed that, Buddha has met in B.C.580, King Mahasena, who ruled over Katharagama during the Third and the last visit made to Sri Lanka by Lord Gautama Buddha. Therefore, for the Buddhists Kataragama was a Sanctified place by the Gautama the Buddha.

Nuwara Eliya
The “City of Light” is 1890 Feet above Sea Level, with English-style House with lawns and gardens. The emphasis in the Hill resort is the fantastic spring like climate, and the beauty of the greenish Scenic Mountains, winter months it is cold at night, and there can even be frosts – Nuwara Eliya is also renowned for its Haggala Botanical Gardens, the Tea Factory where good tea is produced and the existence one of Asia’s finest Golf Courses, and boating or fishing on Lake Gregory.

Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa, became the royal residence mid of 4th Cen – and the capital after the decline of Anuradhapura. Polonnaruwa is famous for its sculptures of Lord Gautama Buddha in stone and stupas, temples, reservoirs; the “Sea of Parakrama” or the Parakrama Samudra which was constructed during the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great (1153 - 1186 AD).

Ratnapura
Sri Lanka is country famous for its Precious Gemstones - Ratnapura, located 100 km away from Colombo is a City which has gained prominence in “Gem-mining”, and Gem cutting. World renowned precious stones such as Rubies, Cat's Eyes, Sapphires, Garnets, Topaz, Aquamarines, Tourmalines,etc… could be found in this precious city.

Sigiriya
Sigiriya or the Lion rock, the "8th wonder of the world” was built by King Kassyapa in the 5th century AD. This is one of Sri Lanka’s major attractions. Sigiriya, is a rock fortress built on top of a rock, and it’s transformation into a water garden during the rainy season has astonished many Visitors including the wonderful Historical Gallery.

Yala
Yala is among the oldest and the best known National Park in Sri Lanka, for Wild Life Adventure, famous for its elephants, deer’s, crocodiles, peacock, birds and a number of small animals, woodpeckers dry river/stream beds, lagoons and for its thorn forest to name a few.

Elegant Hotels in Sri Lanka
Hotels in Colombo - We raffles Leisure will help you to find the finest hotels in the Island, Sri lanka.

Finest Beaches in Sri lanka
Colombo , Ahungalla, Bentota , Beruwela, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Kalutara, Koggala , Mt.Lavinia , Negombo , Tangalle , Trincomalee."

Ideal beaches for ideal people for swimming, for underwater explorers, surfers etc."

Wild Life, Adventure, Parks, water Falls & Hills
Horton Plains - Journey to the end of World - In the South-central hill country, 2,000 meters high rests the mountain Horton Plains.

Peradeniya Botanic Gardens
6Km from Kandy, is visited mainly for its fine collection of orchids, royal palms.

Sinharaja Forest
The Sinhajara forest, 11,187 hectares, provides shelter to many beasts, birds and reptiles. The only evergreen rain forest was named World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1989.

UDA Walawe
It covers an area of 30,821 hectares and a higher number of Elephants could be found in this Park.

Wilpattu
Wilpattu is the biggest national park, 176Km north of Colombo, a park famous for its bears, leopards and bird life.

Yala
Yala is among the oldest and the best known National Park in Sri Lanka, for Wild Life Adventure, famous for its elephants, deer’s, crocodiles, peacock, birds and a number of small animals, woodpeckers dry river/stream beds, lagoons and for its thorn forest to name a few.

Dehiwala Zoo
The Dehiwala zoo has a wide collection of animals, including a fine range of birds and an beautiful aquarium.

Water Falls and Hills
Dunhinda, Horton Plains, Knuckles, Nuwara Eliya, Ramboda, Ratnapura, Ravana Falls.