Sri Lanka is an Indian Ocean Island stays South East coast of Indian main land. Sri Lanka was known to ancient world as Heladiva, Lakdiva and Thambapanni latter as for the Greek Tabrobana, means Copper colored land and Serendib as in Arabic to the Arab merchants and to Europeans Ceilao, Zeilan or Ceylon. According to Hindu epic Ramayana, Sri Lanka a home to demon King Rawana is connected to Rama and Sita from Bharata a great legend. The first colonist from Northern India the Prince Vijaya landed at Thambapanni seduced the local indigenous called vaddas about 543 BC.and the descendants called Singhalese. Latter part the South Indian war loads and immigrants invaded the peninsula and now consist of Tamil as a race (18%) and Hindu as religion (16%) at present in Sri Lanka.

About 300 BC early Anuradapura period led by King Devanampiyatissa the first ruler of the united Sri Lanka happens to introduce Buddhism by Mahinda a Buddhist Monk and a son of King Dharmasoka of India during Great King Asoka of India. Since then many great rulers govern the country from Anuradapura the main seat of Buddhism until 10th century. And due to South Indian invasion the capital was destroyed and country was in chaos. The powerful Singhalese kingdom scattered around Then after decades country was reunited and expelled the Indian warlords from the country and kingdom was moved to Polonnaruwa (1073~1215) became the medieval capital of Sri Lanka under king Vijayabahu. Latter part under the rule of Great king Parakramabahu (1161~1186) became a great ruler develop the country by building of reservoirs and irrigation work and. set up monastraries, temples to behest of Buddhism, and introduced new era of architecture, art work and culture with south Indian influence. Again South Indian Kalingas invasion and destruction of Polonnaruwa by 1270AD and the capital was abandoned Then time-to-time the Kingdom was shifted to Dambadeniya (1232-1270), Yapahuwa (1272-1284), Kurunegala (1293-1341), Gampola (1341-1408), Kotte (1411 -1597), Kandy (1469-1815) and ruled provisional Kings.

The arrival of new masters with keen interest on trade and rule policy the Portuguese (1505-1656), Dutch (1656-1796) and colony under British (1815-1948). The European influence the country was adopted Roman Dutch law and missionaries brought new religion, Christianity and Church oriented education to the country. Also introduced new administration system, planted cash based crops coffee, tea and Rubber, introduced Railway system, postal service and many more. Sri Lanka was gain independence in 1948 after the WWII within the commonwealth and Democratic Republic in 1972.

Geography:

Capital: Sri Jayawardana Pura, (Kotte), Commercial Capital: Colombo, International Airport, Katunayaka Bandaranayake international Airport, Area: 65,525 sq km, Population Density: 309 people per sq km. Landmass: 430 km north to south and 225 km east to west, Ashore Belt: About 1330 km palm fringed yellow and white sand coastline, Highest peak: Pidurutalagala (2524 meters), Longest River: Mahaweli Ganga (331 km), Location: In Indian Ocean about 40 km south East of India.

People, Language and Religion:

The population is about 19 million. Singhalese consists74%, Tamils 18% and (Moors) Muslims 7%, others Dutch Berger 1%, Religion: Buddhist 74%, Hindus.16%, Christians 7% and Islam 7%. Language: Sinhala, Tamil and English, English is widely spoken throughout Sri Lanka.

Climate: Lowlands:

Tropical average 27 Celsius, Central Hills: mild with temperature drops 14 Celsius, southwest monsoon rain blows Indian ocean from May to July with heavy rains at western, southern and central hills, When the north east monsoon from December and January blows Bay of Bengal with heavy rains in Northern, Eastern and North eastern region. Inter-monsoon rains with heavy rain in the afternoon will occur during March and October.

Currency and Bank:

One hundred (100) cents make a Sri Lanka Rupee.1, 2,5 and 10 cents coins are rare and Rupee denominations coins are 1,2,5 and 10 rupee coin circulating with other paper note valued 10,20,50.100.200 and 1000 rupee notes Please note the 200 rupee note only made by plastic paper. Banks are open from 0900 to 1500 hrs and some banks open Saturday from 0900to 1300 hrs. Most of the shops and hotels like to receive payments from Visa and, Master cards and few of them will accept American express and JCB cards. You can withdraw money from ATM points using your International credit cards.

Visa:

Residents from 72 countries are issued Visa on arrival at the airport as tourist for one month stay further 60 days can be extended on request. Please contact your travel agent for more information.

The tour is designed for individual travel in three different categories (Deluxe, Standard, Budget). However can be priced to suit your budget. Extension to any destination are available on request.