INTRODUCING SRI LANKA

 

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal and to the southeast of the Arabian Sea. It is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. The legislative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, is a suburb of the commercial capital and largest city, Colombo. Sri Lanka is a member of the SAARC Committee as well.

The beautiful island country is home to a rich history, culture and traditions. Sri Lanka's documented history goes to 3,000 years, with evidence of pre-historic human settlements dating back to at least 125,000 years. Its geographic location and deep harbours made it of great strategic significance from the period of the ancient Silk Road through to the modern Maritime Silk Road.

The island nation comprises of various natural attractions including golden beaches, blue seawater, rain forests, endemic animals and plants as well as breath taking mountain views. It has attracted travelers from different parts of the world as mentioned in historical records as well as in the current scenario. Spread in a small area in land it still holds many UNESCO World Heritage sites that have amazed its visitors. Buddhism is the most followed religion, nourishing the country’s culture and traditions not to forget its literature. Anuradapura the country’s first kingdom, Sigiriya, known as one of the world wonders, Sinharaja Rain Forest, Galle Fort, The Temple of Tooth in Kandy, Adam’s Peak are some of the prominent tourist destinations inside Sri Lanka. The country also boasts for the world’s first female Prime Minister, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Sri Lanka became a plantation economy, famous for its production and export of cinnamon, rubber and Ceylon tea, which remains a trademark national export. While the production and export of tea, rubber, coffee, sugar and other commodities remain important, industrialization has increased the importance of food processing, textiles, telecommunications and finance. The country's main economic sectors are tourism, tea export, clothing, rice production and other agricultural products. In addition to these economic sectors, overseas employment, especially in the Middle East, contributes substantially in foreign exchange.

The Sri Lankan culture is mainly influenced by Buddhism and Hinduism. The cuisines are subject to same. Being an island nation the consumption of sea food is a very popular segment in the Sri Lankan food practices. The coconut consumption in the food is also common as the soil of a coastal land is the best for the coconut cultivation. Traditionally food is served on a plantain leaf or lotus leaf.

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year which is celebrated annually in the month of April, The Vesak festival in May (birth, enlightenment and the parinirvana of Lord Buddha), Poson festival (the start of Buddhism in Sri Lanka by King Ashoka’s son, Mahinda Thero), Deepavali, Eid, and Christmas are a few major festivals celebrated in Sri Lanka. During such seasons, the cities dress up in color and almsgiving and religious offering activities take place all over the country.

Even though the national sport of the country is Volley Ball, cricket has reached the hearts of people and keeps everyone together as a uniting sport. Sri Lanka was also the Cricket World Cup winners in the year of 1996.

Having suffered from a civil war for almost three decades, Sri Lanka has been able to come back strongly to accelerate its economic growth through rehabilitation, infrastructure development and providing job opportunities to its people while promoting and uplifting local industries. The Sri Lankan people are known for their great hospitality and heart-felt smile they offer to their guests.

 

SRI LANKA FACT FILE