Notes

Travel Paradise - Tiny Beautiful Island Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA - TRAVEL PARADISE

Sri Lanka referred to as Ceylon before independence in 1948, is situated near commercial establishments in the southern coast of India between Arabia and East Asia. Naturally read more , picturesque waterfalls, tropical rainy forests, central hills and moreover the precious climatic difference bloom the natural beauty of the small island to become a celebrated tourist destination. This isle can be known to be the pearl of the orient or pearl of the Indian ocean and in the ancient times as the Taprobane or Serendib.

Spectacular hospitality extended from the hearts of the people of Sri Lanka would without doubt be a grip of a rich cultural heritage spanning over 2500 years.

Since the latter half of 2009 Sri Lanka is among the most safest place on the earth to travel after completely defeating the 30 year brutal terrorism under the true & great leadership of His Excellency the President Mahina Rajapaksa Year 2011 has been declared as "VISIT OF THE ENTIRE YEAR" for SRI LANKA. NY Times in their recent survey revealed that Sri Lanka is a good destination for travel among thirty one destinations. The National Geographic has placed Sri Lanka as the second of he world's 20 best for travel.

The mountainous wet zone in the southwestern part records an average annual rainfall of 2500 mm and the dry zone in the northeast and northern parts receive an average rainfall of 1200 mm and 1900 mm respectively. Sri Lanka maintains a higher bio-diversity in the country meticulously. Diversity expressed with regards to strategic location specially the unique physical environment of naturally rich assets has made Sri Lanka just about the most beautiful countries on the globe.

Wildlife: Sri Lanka has reported to function as first country to launch a wild sanctuary. National parks and sanctuaries are established in different elements of the island. Yala National park in the southeast can be an important tourist attraction for watching heard of elephants, peacocks and dears. Wilpattu National park in the northeast offers a great access to the inhabitants like many water birds, stokes, pelicans, ibis and spoonbills to protect themselves in a safe environment for more than a generation to come.

Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is really a sanctuary for rescued and injured elephants and is well popular among the tourists for watching over 80 elephants including small babies.

Cultural Heritage: Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Kandy Sacred City, Galle City & Galle Port and Dambulla Cave Temple are the five ancient cities of Sri Lanka listed in the world heritage list. These places are of great historical value for people to enjoy themselves and make their dreams become a reality.

Kandy is really a sacred city in the central hills which symbolizes the world famous Buddhist procession "Esala Perahara" which carries the sacred Tooth Relic of god, the father Buddha annually in the month of August. This beautiful pageant is attended by a large gathering with an average of 500 thousand people in the final day. One can like a range of various stuff like fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandian dances and various other cultural dances with admirably decorated elephants showing the pride of the annals of the kingdom of Kandy.

Kandy which is the most beautiful cities on earth is synonymous to the name of the planet renowned Ceylon Tea. As you know the initial tea plant was planted commercially in 1867 at Loolecondera estate by a Scotsman named James Taylor and there onwards tea industry has flourished to an excellent success. Among the Rubber and Coconut plantations Tea has played a major role in export earning to the united states until the recent past. Tea plantations has made a significant improvement with the right attitudes of the present regime of Sri Lanka.

Anuradhapura: in the North Central Province may be the Sri Lanka's first capital founded concerning the 4th century BC. that is a place of worship for several Buddhists in the united kingdom especially because of the blessings of the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi Tree extracted from the initial Bo-Tree in India.

Probably the most historically valued Ruwanweli Saya that was constructed in the next Century B.C. by Emperor Dutugamuni is considered to function as greatest out of the other gigantic sthupas in the eight Buddhist sites in Anuradhapura. Ruwanweli Saya Sthupa is 100 metres high, 77 metres wide and 300 ft in diameter. Among these remarkably worshipped places are the huge irrigational tanks which display an impressive piece of work of the ancient Kings of Sri Lanka when Anuradhapura was the National Capital of Sri Lanka for over 1000 years since the 3rd Century BC.

Samadhi Statue is a wonderful piece of Sinhalese Sculptural Art showing a deep meditation of Lord Buddha. These monuments including the entire Buddhist places in Sri Lanka represent the culture and civilization of the ancestors in an exceedingly prominent way with association of Buddhist culture during the time our ancient kings who ruled the united states.

There is absolutely no evidence to see such a valuable, historical, artistic and culturally developed Statue even yet in India (popular as Baratha - the country of Birth of Lord Buddha).

Samadhi Statue is situated in the Mahameuna Park of Abhayagiri Complex in Anuradhapura the first capital of Sri Lanka in 4th century BC.

Sigiriya is concerned because the eighth wonder of the world. The 200 meter rock surrounding a complex with water gardens makes a lovely scenery. This huge rock known as the Lion Mountain built in 5th Century has world famous frescoes. King Kashyapa ruled his Kingdom from the Fortress on top of the Rock for about 18 years. Architecture and Gardening is fairly impressive and Hydraulic Technology in water supply has a magical performance that is unique to the 5th Century can be an unimaginable even at this stage of modern technology.

Places of Interest: These tourist destinations in Sri Lanka are of help to you, but certainly many more should be added to the list for any traveler who wish to make a visit to this tiny beautiful island in the Indian ocean.

Mount Lavinia: Located just 12 km. south of Colombo is popular because of its beach.
Anuradhapura: 206 km. from Colombo is a sacred city.
Polonnaruwa: situated 216 km. from Colombo is full of ancient cultural assets.
Hikkaduwa: located 98km along scenic southern coast of Sri Lanka
Trincomalee is really a beach paradise with its natural harbor located 257 km from Colombo in the east portion of the island.
Peradeniya Botanical Gardens is 7 km away from Kandy located by the medial side of Mahaweli River.
The Horton Plains: This place is a national park and the best plateau in the island.

Wasantha de Silva
Panadura
4th October 2010

Author is specially qualified in Marketing at the Open University of Sri Lanka. Presently employed in a respected tourist Hotel in Sri Lanka.
Here's my website: https://kirkendalleffect.com/exotic-places-to-travel-in-allahabad/