Access to SL

ll major airlines have direct routes to Sri Lanka from their nearest hubs. All major cities in Europe, the Far East, and the Middle East are operated by the national airline Sri Lankan. The national airline also provides simple access to its services for travel from any location in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America on code-sharing flights via Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo, as well as London, Zurich, and Bangkok in Europe. Colombo is also connected by Sri Lankan Airlines to all the main cities in India, Beijing, and Guangdong in China.

Climate

Due to its proximity to the equator, Sri Lanka has two distinct seasons and a tropical climate. The island, which is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, has a breeze that makes you forget about the excessive humidity and warm evenings while you’re on vacation in Sri Lanka. The temperature decreases as you ascend to the central hills, along with the elevation. The majority of the year is nice in these areas of the island. The steady sea wind lowers the ambient temperature, which ranges from 27 to 30 C. The Asiatic monsoon significantly alters the tropical environment of the island by changing the wind’s direction periodically.

Geography

The island of Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean, about 400 miles (645 kilometers) north of the equator. It is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Millions of years ago, Sri Lanka and India were connected by a strip of land, remnants of which are still visible.
The surface drainage of Sri Lanka is made up of about 100 rivers, most of which are mere wet-season rivulets. Twelve major rivers account for roughly 75 percent of the country’s mean annual river discharge, with those that flow entirely through the Wet Zone (the highlands and southwestern region; see below) carrying roughly half of the total discharge. Except for the 208-mile-long Mahaweli River, all major rivers flow radially from the Central Highlands to the sea. The Mahaweli, which originates on the western slopes of the highest areas of the highlands, follows a circuitous route in its upper reaches before it enters the plain to the east of the highlands and then flows toward the northeast coast. Because a part of its catchments is well within the wet zone, this river has a larger and less seasonally varied flow than the other dry zone rivers and so is a major asset for irrigation in the drier parts of the country.
Geologically, the island of Sri Lanka is considered a southerly extension of peninsular India (the Deccan), with which it shares a continental shelf and some of its basic lithologic and geomorphic characteristics.

Shopping Information

Shopping in Sri Lanka is nothing short of a delight, and anyone who has visited this beautiful island nation will surely agree. From beautifully crafted jewelry to batiks and more, there’s plenty to take home at prices you’d be happy to pay. Not only this, but popular cities like Colombo and Kandy also sell everything from regular street to high-end products that certainly leave one out of options. From beautiful stone paintings to dazzling gems and vibrant saris, shopping in Sri Lanka will make you see the amazing things this beautiful country has to offer to its tourists.

Gems

Sri Lanka is blessed with over 70 varieties of coloured stones out of the 200 found in the world and is among the five most important gem-bearing nations. Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Golden Sapphires, Rubies, Padmaradchas, Star Sapphires, Star Rubies, Alexandrite, Cat’s F, Spinel, Aquamarines, Topaz, Zircons, Garnets, Tourmalines, Moonstones, Quartz, and a large number of rare gemstones comprise the country’s breath-taking natural heritage. Sri Lankan Gem Suppliers and Dealers take immense pride in the fact that Sri Lanka is the world’s choice for calibrated and fancy cut gemstones, high value single stones, and quality service cutting.

Handloom Products

Today, the Sri Lankan handloom industry is a cottage industry, with a few large manufacturers leading the way. In an industry governed largely by women, the Sri Lankan heritage and traditional weaving patterns are kept alive in collaboration with the National Handloom Center of Sri Lanka. Most Sri Lankan handlooms are made of cotton and silk threads, and many are presented as sarees, shawls, and sarongs as well as household linen, upholstery, tapestry, and curtain fabrics. Exported around the world and available under local and global brands, the traditional handlooms of Sri Lanka continue to add color to many living spaces around the country.

Antiques

Some of us live by the saying, “Old is gold,” and that’s why we hold on to those quirky valuables and collectibles for as long as we can. Whether it’s rare vintage ornaments, maps, paintings, furniture, doors, and window frames, some people just can’t resist and fall in love with its old-fashioned charm. Lucky for them, there are many shops in Colombo and the suburbs that sell antiques and also offer a wide selection to choose from.

Tea

The first tea was grown and produced in this country during the British era. Ceylon tea exports became the backbone of the colonial economy as Ceylon tea quickly established itself as the best in the world. Housewives and restaurant owners around the world became familiar with the nation’s name after discovering that its presence on a can or packet was a good indicator of tea quality. Independence opened new markets and production continued to increase. Ceylon became the world’s largest tea exporter for the first time in 1965.
Most orthodox tea is produced in Sri Lanka. At the moment, Sri Lanka is the fourth largest producer of tea in the world. The nation is the third largest exporter of tea on the world front.

Spices

Sri Lanka sometimes referred to as the “Spice Island,” is no stranger to the world of herbs and spices. Because of its wealth of spices, Sri Lanka has traditionally drawn the attention of Western countries. Cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cardamoms, chile, curry powder, and many more highly sought-after spices are exported from Sri Lanka together with related product suppliers. These grow in abundance over the entire island in a variety of rich soil types with variable temperatures.

Events and Festivals

Buddhist and Hindu cultures share the same solar and lunar calendars, and traditional Sri Lankan festivals and pageants are performed for astrological or religious purposes. Buddhists also follow the Buddhist Nirvana Calendar on special occasions. The Buddhist Nirvana Calendar governs all Buddhist religious celebrations. Since January ends on the day of the waxing moon, the month is known as “Duruthu.” While on your Sri Lanka vacation, you should be aware that the day of the full moon is a national holiday in Sri Lanka. On such days, all bars, pubs, and liquor stores are closed, including the ones at your Sri Lanka vacation resort.

The Duruthu Perehera

At the revered temple of Kelaniya near Colombo in January, the Duruthu Perehera marks the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka and draws hundreds of thousands of worshippers and tourists. The cannon fire signaled the start of the colorful extravaganza, which included elephants in captivity as well as dancers, drummers, and musicians playing traditional wind instruments. The grand climax, the Randoli Perehera, takes place the day before the January full moon.

The Navam Perehara

More than 100 elephants transported from all across the island will undoubtedly take part in the display, which ends on the February full moon. The Navam Maha Perahera has drawn almost a million people to the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo, which overlooks the lovely Beira Lake since 1979 (the year it was first hosted).

Vesak

The primary Buddhist holiday in Sri Lanka is called Vesak, and it falls on the full moon in May. Vesak, then, marks the beginning of the Buddha’s Nirvana calendar. The three major anniversaries of Buddha’s life events are observed by Buddhists. His birth, the moment he became enlightened, and his death and entry into Nirvana. In addition to ceasing all worldly activities and participating in religious observances at temples and shrines, the day is supposed to be spent in contemplative prayer. Bright structures and illuminations line the streets, while roadside stands provide free drinks to viewers.

The New Year Festival

The end of the harvest is also when the Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus celebrate their New Year in Sri Lanka. According to the Vedic Solar Calendar, the New Year begins when the sun crosses from Pisces into Aries. The new year often starts on April 13th or 14th, with the precise hour being decided by the planets’ constellation. People’s returning home to be with their families causes a complete shutdown of the nation. Astrological rules regulate the family rituals, such as starting a fire and creating a Kiri Batha (milk rice). The festivities soon get underway, with families mixing in the streets and free distribution of Kawun and Kokis (a miniature oil cake and crispy sweetmeat).

The Poson Festival

The Poson Festival, held in June, honors Sri Lanka’s adoption of Buddhism in the third century B.C. All around the nation, illuminations and processions may be seen, but Mihintale’s is by far the most magnificent. The ancient city was constructed around the spot where Arahat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Asoka, persuaded Sri Lanka’s ruler to become a Buddhist.

Bellanwila Perehera in Colombo

Colombo’s Bellanwila Perehera A colorful Perahera (pageant) to the Buddha is held at the Bellanwill temple in Colombo in August on days when the moon is waxing before the Esala full moon. Traditional dancers perform at the perahera to the beat of the drums. The temple’s sacred Bo tree, one of the 32 seedlings that came from the revered Bo tree at Anuradhapura, according to palm leaf manuscripts, has a revered history.

Esala Perehara in Kandy

The precious tooth relic of the Buddha, encased in a golden casket, is carried in procession on the back of the temple elephant every year on the day of the full moon in August. The magnificent procession is most likely Asia’s most breathtaking torch-lit parade. Since the precious relic was transferred to the Kandy Dalada Maligawa, also known as the Temple Palace of the Tooth Relic, the sacred rite has been observed for generations and properly recorded. The Procession enters the streets after twilight every night, with the parades getting longer each night until the last night of pageantry, when they are at their best. A torch-lit procession includes more than 100 elephants decked out in their finest attire; Kandyan chiefs dressed in their traditional royal regalia; tens of thousands of dancers; drummers; flag bearers; fire-juggling acrobats; musicians; whip crackers; torch bearers; and countless barefoot pilgrims.

The Katharagama Esala Festival

At the Kataragama Shrine in the Deep South, the Katharagama Esala Festival honors the god Katharagama, who is revered equally by Hindus and Buddhists. Thousands of Hindu devotees carry chariots, cut their skin with hooks, and do acts of penitence, usually to honor pledges pleading for the kindness of the God Skandha during the two-week festival. The “water-cutting” ceremony marks the conclusion of the religious rites performed in a frenzy of a hurry. Thousands of pilgrims plunge themselves into the river as part of this rite while shouting “Haro Hara” in homage to the God of Many Names, also known as God Skandha, Lord Murugan, and God Katharagama. The area in front of the main temple is cleaned and meticulously blanketed with burning tamarind firewood at roughly 4 am, following the completion of the river ablutions. In slow motion, barefoot pilgrims walk among the embers of the fire. The soles of their feet are shielded by their piety and dedication. The spirits lived again.

The Adivel Festival

A Hindu religious celebration in honor of Lord Murugan is called the Adivel Festival. The celebration is held every year between May and August, and the fortunate date is often revealed 45 days beforehand. The celebration asks devotees to pull the Lord Murugan, Sri Valli, and Theivaanai statues on a silver-plated chariot from the Kathiseran temple in Colombo’s bustling Pettah neighborhood to the more elaborate and impressive Bambalapitiya shrine in the city’s major thoroughfare, Galle Road. Musicians and worshipers accompany the decorated chariot as they sing praises to Lord Murugan. The sanctity of the ceremony performed to commemorate Lord Murugan’s triumph over evil powers is enhanced by the cracking of fresh coconut nuts and the burning of incense.

Deepawali Festival

The most beautiful Hindu holiday observed in November is the Deepawali Festival. The triumph of good over evil during the Festival of Light The celebration is distinguished by illuminations in the shape of Misri, or sugar-based figurines, and clay and brass lights. The abundance of burning oil lamps serves as an invitation to Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune and riches.

The St. Anne’s

For more than three centuries, the yearly feast has been held in August at the Roman Catholic Church, which is situated on a quiet section of seashore on the Kalpitiya peninsula. The yearly Feast of St. Anne, honoring the mother of the Virgin Mary, is observed by Roman Catholics. The faithful believe it to be a site of miraculous healing. The yearly celebration draws thousands of pilgrims from all across the island.