Ayubūvan - 50 Best reasons to visit Srilanka

Theravada Buddhism is the religion of about 70% of the population of Sri Lanka. The island has been a center of Buddhist scholarship and learning since the introduction of Buddhism in the third century BCE producing eminent scholars such as Buddhaghosa and preserving the vast Pāli Canon. Throughout most of its history, Sinhalese kings have played a major role in the maintenance and revival of the Buddhist institutions of the island. During the 19th century, a modern Buddhist revival took place on the island which promoted Buddhist education and learning. There are around 6,000 Buddhist monasteries on Sri Lanka with approximately 15,000 monks.

Despite its small size Sri Lanka boasts of one of the highest rates of biological endemism in the world whether in plants or animals and is included among the top five biodiversity hotspots in the world. Of the ninety-one species of mammals found in Sri Lanka Asian elephants, sloth bear, leopards, sambar and wild buffaloes engages the majority of the attention of wildlife enthusiast.
Sri Lanka’s two main national parks – Yala and Wilpattu - offer a total protected area of more than 2300 sq km (230000 hectares) and boast a stunning array of wildlife. Yala has become recognised for having one of the highest densities of leopards in the world. Wilpattu is one of the best places on the island to spot the much illusive sloth bear. In both parks it is also common to see deer, wild boar, monkeys, and water buffaloes.

Sri Lanka’s gem industry has a very long and colorful history. Sri Lanka was affectionately known as Ratna-Dweepa which means Gem Island. The name is a reflection of its natural wealth. Marco Polo wrote that the island had the best sapphires, topazes, amethysts, and other gems in the world
Throughout history, Sri Lanka has been known as a land of gems. King Solomon was said to have procured a great ruby for the Queen of Sheba from Ceylon. Marco Polo wrote of wonderful Ceylon gems.

The Blue Sapphire is king of Sri Lankan gems. The 400 carat Blue Sapphire called “Blue Belle”, which adorns the British Crown, is from Sri Lanka. The beautiful star sapphire misnamed the “Star of India”displayed at a New York’s Museum of Natural History.

Besides rubies and shapphire, the illama soil also bears cat’s eyes, alexandrites, aquamarines, tourmalines,spinels, topaz, garnets, amethyst, zircons and variety of other stones.

Sri Lanka, the island known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean lives up to its nickname as a hotbed for a variety of gems. Sri Lanka is home to 40 varieties of Gems out of 85 varieties available in the whole world. Gems of Sri Lanka have found there way to many a court all over the world since time immemorial.

Known as the Spice Island, Sri Lanka was historically attractive to the Western nations for its spice riches. Sri Lankan Spices and Allied products Suppliers export the most sought-after cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cardamoms, nutmeg, mace and vanilla. These grow in abundance all over the island in fertile and diverse soil types and varying temperature conditions. Cinnamon is the most important spice commodity among the spice sector. People in ancient Sri Lanka used Cinnamon for many purposes such as, medicine, spice, perfumery material & soft drink. At present the cinnamon is widely used in bakery products, pharmaceutical preparations & cosmetics worldwide. Cinnamon exports in primary form as well as in the value added form such as cut pieces, powder form and crushed form. Cinnamon is considered as unique product exporting from Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is the world largest producer & exporter of Cinnamon to the world..

Tall conical mountain located in central Sri Lanka.It is well known as Sri pada i.e. Sacred footprint,a 1.8m(5ft 11 in) rock formation near the summit, which in Buddhist tradition is held to be the footprint of the Buddha, in Hindu tradition that of Shiva and in Islamic and Christian tradition that of Adam, or that of St.Thomas.In Islamic tradition it is the site where Adam fell to earth and where his footprint can be found.It takes around 5 hrs to climb this majestic hill. People start late night and reach early morning to view the beautiful sunrise.

Sri Lanka is a country with a very high number of national holidays, as it observes holidays for several different cultures and religions. With the celebration of Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian holidays, there is guaranteed to be at least one holiday in each month of the year. Some of these holidays are also celebrated with great festivals. At a Buddhist Perahera, for instance, you will see dancers marching in procession alongside fire-breathers and trained elephants. Other festivals are conducted with the same level of grandeur, and visitors will be able to catch such memorable events at any time of the year.

The city of Colombo is full of Old World charm in the sense that it is dotted with colonial buildings and parks. Some of the finest buildings arose at the turn of the century and the Lighthouse, the General Post Office, the old Senate building, deserve a special mention.
Talking about sport, there is no doubt that cricket is almost a religion in Sri Lanka and is played with a passion that far outstrips the way it is played in the Country that first introduced the Gentlemen's game to this island - Britain! Rugby is also a very popular sport and this originated on the playing fields of a certain British Public School! There is also golf in the most picturesque settings.

Experience the Royal Colombo Golf Club or the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club at an elevation of 6800 feet (1 600 meters) or for that matter, the Victoria Golf Club in Kandy, which to date has maintained its exclusive colonial charm and ambience. The world's most sought-after health drink - tea - was introduced by the British and now well known as Ceylon Tea.

The development of the rail and road networks opening this island destination to the world took place during the British period. Sri Lanka's strong and democratic political and judiciary systems are generally admired for their fairness - some British influences can naturally be found here. The English language is spoken widely in Sri Lanka with Sinhala and Tamil the main languages of the island

Nuwara is a city, in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The city name meaning is "city on the plain (table land)" or "city of light". The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) and is considered to be the most important location for Tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is also known for the temperate, cool climate, the city is known for being the coolest area in Sri Lanka.

Anuradhapura is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province, Sri Lanka and the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Sri Lankan civilization. It was the third capital of the Kingdom of Rajarata, following the kingdoms of Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara.
The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the center of TheravadaBuddhism for many centuries.

Sigiriya is an ancient palace located in the central Matale District near the town ofDambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The name refers to a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock nearly 200 metres (660 ft) high. According to the ancient Sri Lankan chronicle the Culavamsa, this site was selected by King Kasyapa for his new capital. He built his palace on the top of this rock and decorated its sides with colourful frescoes. On a small plateau about halfway up the side of this rock he built a gateway in the form of an enormous lion. The name of this place is derived from this structure —Sīhāgiri, the Lion Rock. The capital and the royal palace was abandoned after the king's death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century.
Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka.

Polonnaruwa is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. Kaduruwela area is the Polonnaruwa New Town and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated Chola invaders in 1070 to reunite the country once more under a local leader.
The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site

The Rock Temple (Rangiri Dambulla Rajamaha Viharaya)and The Golden Temple(Rangiri Dambulla Uyanwatta Rajamaha Viharaya) are interconnected temples with single administration. The history of Rock Temple goes back to the first century B.C., commenced by the King Vattagamini Abhaya and thereafter kings, Maha Parakramabahu, Nissankamalala, Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe and five cave temples, particularly named, Devaraja Viharaya, Maharaja Viharaya, Maha Alut Viharaya. Paschima Viharaya and Devena Alut Viaharaya respectively.
Within these five caves is housed a collection of 157 valuable images of the Buddha and Bodhisatta etc. Inside the caves the rock surfaces, ceiling and side walls are covered with paintings executed with indigenous traditional colour schemes to an extent of about 22,000 square feet. The inscription in the premises records that the temple had been named "Rangiri Dambulla" when the images were painted in gold by King Nissankamalala of the Polonnaruwa regime. The temple with its historical, archeological and artistic significances had in the year 1991, been declared one of the world heritages sites by the UNESCO.

"Is it like Indian food?" That's the first question most people ask about Sri Lankan cuisine—if they know where the tiny island nation is, which is rare. (It's just southeast of the southern tip of India).
My stock answer? "Sort of."
There are some common elements, to be sure. But the "rice and curry" spreads that make up most Sri Lankan meals are pretty different from the northern saag paneer or Goan vindaloo at your local lunch buffet. Sri Lankan food offers a vivid array of flavor combinations: sweet caramelized onion relishes, bitter melon, spicy scraped coconut, and the burn of curry tamed by mild rice, and palm sugar sweetened desserts. Samosas and dhal (lentil curry) look familiar, but upon closer inspection, these, too, have a definitively Sri Lankan spin: these thinner curries tend to be more heavily spiced than many Indian versions, and the cuisine is more inclusive of non-native ingredients, brought by international trade moving through the island. Foods that seemed to be known territory find exciting new applications in Sri Lanka, where noodles come in pancake form and pancakes serve as both bowl and base of the feast.

Seetha Amman Temple is located approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from Hakgala Botanical Garden and 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) from Nuwara Eliya. The temple is located in the village of Seetha Eliya (also known as Sita Eliya). This place is believed to be the site where Sita was held captive demon king Ravana, and where she prayed daily for Rama to come and rescue her in the Lankan epic, Ramayana. On the rock face across the stream are circular depressions said to be the footprints of Rawana’s elephant.

Ishtreepura (also spelled Ishtripura or istri pura) means an area of women in Sinhalese. This was one of the places to which King Ravana hid Sitadevi as a precautionary measure. He was forced to take this action due to Hanuman’s advent. There are lots of intruding tunnels and caves in this area. Ishtreepura seems to be a part of a great ingenious network of paths, which is interconnected to all the major areas of King Ravana’s city. Most of the tunnels are yet to be fully explored.

Ravana Cave & tunnels prove beyond doubt the architectural brilliance of King Ravana. The tunnels served as a quick means of transport through the hills and also as secret passages.
It is believed that the tunnels networked all the important cities, airports and dairy farms. A close look at the tunnels indicate that they are man-made and not natural formations. This Buddhist shrine at Kalutara was where once King Ravana’s palace and a tunnel existed. Existing tunnel mouths are situated at – Isthripur at Welimada, Ravana cave at Bandarawela, Senapitiya at Halagala, Ramboda, Labookelle, Wariyapola/Matale, and Sitakotuwa/Hasalaka.

When King Ravana carried Sitadevi on his chariot to Ashoka Vatika, he provided her with vitaminised rice balls for refreshment. But Sitadevi who did not want to consume anything provided by King Ravana, scattered the rice balls all over the place during her journey, and they are found till date along the chariot track. The local people call these rice balls Sita Gooli and they prescribe them for their children as a cure for stomach disorders and headaches. The farmers too keep them in their cash boxes or grain pots for prosperity. It is claimed that carbon dated testing has been done in Tokyo and Delhi on these rice balls and ascertained to be more than five thousand years old.

The summit of the mountain next to the mountain range overlooking Frotoft Estate in Pussallawa is the place where Hanuman first set his foot on mainland Lanka. This mountain known as Pawala Malai is visible from this mountain range. These hills stand tall in-between King Ravana’s capital city and Ashoka Vatika.
The barren land atop the mountain range is believed to be the route in which King Ravana took Sitadevi from his capital city Lankapura to Ashoka Vatika, which was a paradise on earth. Till date no vegetation grows on this passage except grass. King Ravana is believed to have taken this passage on top of these hills to show Sitadevi the beauty of his kingdom.
The Sita tear pond is found en route by the chariot route, is believed to have been formed by the tears of Sitadevi and has not dried up since, even during severe droughts when the adjoining rivers dry up.

This is a rock in the Labookelle estate. Hanuman met Sitadevi and on his way to announce this happy information to Rama, rested on this hill-top. The hilltop where Hanuman is believed to have rested after meeting Sitadevi is known as Mani Kattuther. Today an open temple with statues of Rama , Sitadevi, Lakshmana and Hanuman stands on top of it . Locals visit the temple often.

Dunuwilla is the place from where Lord Rama fired the Brahmaastharam at King Ravana, which eventually killed him. Dhunu means arrow and Vila Means Lake. This place got its name because Lord Rama fired his arrow from this lake. Dunuvila is located in the Matale district on the out skirts of Wasgamuwa National Park.

King Ravana had his dairy farm here. Milk was air lifted to the capital Lankapura from here using Vimana’s. The stone pillars here have the worn out marks cast by constant use of tying ropes on them.

The cartels behind the Dunuvila lake are called Laggala (Also Known as Lakegala). Laggala is derived form the Sinhala term Elakke Gala, which when translated into English gives us the meaning’ Target Rock’. Laggala served as a sentry point for King Ravana’s army. It was from this rock the first Glimpse of Rama’s army was sighted and information sent to King Ravana. This hill is geographically the highest part of the northern region of King Ravana’s city. On a clear day the north-east side that is Thiru Koneshwaran and north west side that is Talai mannar could be seen even today. King Ravana is believed to have meditated on this rock and prayed Shiva at Thiru Koneshwaran from this point. It is here that King Ravana was killed by Lord Rama’s Brahmaastharam. The top of Laggala is flat and is believed to have been hit by the Brahmaastharam.

Yahangala means the ‘rock of rest’ in Sinhala.
Yahangala is situated along the Mahiyanganaya – Wasgamuwa road. King Ravana’s body after his death was kept upon this rock His body was kept here for his countrymen to pay their last respects to their dear departed king. Geographically this rock is visible from miles away on its 3 sides. The area is also referred to as “Gale Bandara Deviyange Adaviya”, (Domain of the Gale Bandara Deity). Locals believe this is area is protected by ‘Gale Bandara’ deity and misfortune visits those who enter the territory with ill intent.
He stops the vimana at this juncture and asks God Shiva for a remedy. Shiva blessed Rama and advised installing and praying for four lingams at Manavari, Thiru Koneshwaram, Thiru Ketheshwaram and Rameshwaram in India, as the only remedy to get rid of the dosham. The first Lingam was installed at Manavari about 5 Km from here, near the banks of Deduru Oya.

Divurumpola means a ‘place of oath’. This is the place where Sita underwent the “Agni” test. She came unscathed and proved her innocence and purity.

It is believed that Munneswaram predates the Ramayana and a temple dedicated to lord Shiva was located here. Munneswaram means the first temple for Shiva (Munnu + Easwaran). A Shiva Lingam was already here when lord Rama visited the place.
Rama after his victorious battle left for Ayodhya with Sita in one of King Ravana’s vimanas. He felt he was being followed by Bramhaasthi dosham (a malevolent black shadow) as he had killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin. When the Vimana was passing over Munneswaram, he felt the vimana vibrating, and realised the “Brahmaasthi Dosham” was not following him at this particular point.

Negombo is a major city in Sri Lanka, located on the west coast of the island and at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, in Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is the largest city in Gampaha district and it is the is the fifth largest city in the country after the capital Colombo, Jaffna and Moratuwa, and it is the second largest city in the Western province after Colombo. Negombo is also the administrative capital of the Negombo Division.

The temple's architecture demonstrates an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese architecture.
This Buddhist temple includes several imposing buildings and is situated not far from the placid waters of Beira Lake on a plot of land that was originally a small hermitage on a piece of marshy land. It has the main features of a Vihara (temple), the Cetiya (Pagada) the Bodhitree, the Vihara Mandiraya, the Seema malaka (assembly hall for monks) and the Relic Chamber. In addition, a museum, a library, a residential hall, a three storeyed Pirivena, educational halls and an alms hall are also on the premises.

Sri Dalada Maligawa or the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhisttemple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site mainly due to the temple.

North of Trinco town, on the road to Nilaveli, is the British war cemetery. It's well worth stopping off for a quick look if you're heading that way. If you're particularly interested in WW2 cemeteries and history then there's enough to keep you occupied here for a while. I think it's the biggest British cemetery in Sri Lanka, partly due to the Japanese air raid on Trinco in 1942. Talk to the man in charge - he can show you lots of documents and historical artefacts from the time. Many British people come here to visit the graves of relatives - many don't actually know where they were buried. If so this is a good place to find out as there are extensive records. The cemetery has been caught in crossfire and bombed countless times during recent decades but it's still well kept and in good condition.

Transport in Sri Lanka is based mainly on the road network which is centred on Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo. There is also a railway network, but it is largely a legacy of British colonial rule and today only handles a small fraction of the country's transport needs. There are navigable waterways, harbours and two international airports located in Katunayake, 22 miles north of Colombo and in Hambantota. The highways and roadways around the country are in very good condition and are being upgraded.

Royal Botanical Garden, Peradeniya is situated about 5.5 km to the west from the city of Kandy in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. and attracts 2 million visitors annually.It is near to Mahaveli river which is the longest river in Sri Lanka .It is renowned for its collection of a variety of orchids. It includes more than 4000 species of plants, including of orchids, spices, medicinal plants and palm trees.Attached to it is the National Herbarium of Sri Lanka. The total area of the botanical garden is 147 acres (0.59 km2), at 460 meters above sea level, and with a 200-day annual rainfall. It is managed by the Division of National Botanic Gardens of the Department of Agriculture.

Tea production is one of the main sources of foreign exchange for Sri lanka .Sri lanka is world’s fourth largest producer of tea.In 1995 it was world’s leading exporter of tea.The humidity, cool temperatures and rainfall of the country’s central highlands provide a climate that favors the production of high quality tea.

Several languages are spoken in Sri Lanka within the Indo-Aryan, Dravidian and Austronesian families. Sri Lanka accords official status to Sinhala and Tamil. The languages spoken on the island nation are deeply influenced by the languages of neighbouring India, the Maldives and Malaysia. Arab settlers and the colonial powers of Portugal, the Netherlands and Britain have also influenced the development of modern languages in Sri Lanka.

People of Sri lanka will simply amaze you with simplicity of their joy.

Surrounded on all sides by the Indian Ocan, Srilanka has plenty of beautiful beaches for you to retreat to when the tropical temperatures get a bit too close for comfort.Beach bums can catch some rays at a quieter beach such as passekudah bay, there’s scuba diving for all adventure enthusiasts at Hikkaduwa and party people can make themselves at home on dancefloors of lively Unawantuna beach.

It is a five hectare ocen side urban park which stretches for half km along the coast side in the heart of the financial and business district of Colombo, Sri lanka .The promenade was laid out in 1859 by Governor Sri Henry George Ward.It was initially used for horse racing and as a golf course, but was also used for cricket , polo, football , tennis and rugby.It is the largest open space in Colombo.On Saturday and Sunday evenings, the land is busy with day trippers, picknikers and food vendors.

Jaffna is the capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna district located on a peninsula of the same name. With a population of 88,138, Jaffna is Sri Lanka's 12th largest city. Jaffna is approximately six miles away from Kandarodai which served as a famous emporium in the Jaffna peninsula from classical antiquity. Jaffna's suburb,Nallur served as the capital of the four centuries-long medieval Jaffna kingdom. Prior to the Sri Lankan civil war, it was Sri Lanka's second most populated city after the commercial capital Colombo.

From a photographers point of view Sri Lanka is truly an inspiring place to be.
Rich cultural heritage, lush green jungles, and tea estates, pristine beaches, and the warmest welcoming people.
I’ve often dreamed about visiting this tropical paradise, and this year decided to make the trip. So far Sri Lanka has not disappointed.
I often heard it compared to Kerala. But I never expected it to surpass my expectations.

Shopping in Sri Lanka can take many forms haggling with a handicraft-seller while sunbathing on the beach choosing fruit from the traditional village store, 'the kade' while side-stepping sacks of rice or checking out the bargain-priced latest international fashions (Sri Lanka is a major garment exporter) while enjoying the ambiance of a luxurious shopping centre in Colombo.And there’s much inbetween. Visit a handicraft shop and familiarize yourself with traditional designs such as makara (a mythical animal, lion, swan, elephant and lotus which are most evident in brasswork (boxes, trays, lanterns, vases) and silverware (ornately carved and filigree jewellery, tea-sets) that make excellent souvenirs. In addition, ritual masks, lacquer ware, batik and handloom textiles, lace, and wood carvings are popular.

What’s more, Sri Lanka naturally has a tradition in jewellery-making, so you can bring your gems to life.

The main ethnic groups are the Sinhalese and Tamils, both originally from the Indian subcontinent. Then there are Muslims, who settled in the island from the time it became an ancient trading centre. Similarly, Malays and Chinese were also attracted to the island.

Sri Lankans have long been well known for the level of hospitality they display to tourists and travelers. Being a prime tourist destination, the locals tend to see foreigners rather often, but this does not mean that they’ve grown tired of them. In fact, most locals will tend to go out of their way to help out a lost traveler or one in need of assistance. Visitors to Sri Lanka will generally find the Sri Lankan people to be very friendly.

Unlike many other Asian destinations, Sri Lanka can lay genuine claim to being a year-round holiday destination. You just have to know which side of the island to focus on in any given month, and this is never more important than when planning your beach destination.

Bentota is a tourist attraction, with a local airport (Bentota River Airport) and a handful and world-class hotels. It is a destination for watersports. Bentota also delivers an ancient art of healing called Ayurveda. Bentota is famous for its toddy production, an alcoholic beverage made out of coconut nectar. It also has a turtle hatchery, located on Induruwa beach.

Sri Lanka is becoming a major spot for watching Whales and Dolphins. Dondra Point of down south in Sri Lanka is the main port of Whale Watching in Sri Lanka during December to April. Out of these months December, January and April are the peak months of sightings. During these months there is 95% chances of spotting Sperm Whales and great chances of spotting Blue Whales as their migration path is just off Dondra Point. We are able to arrange Whale Watching Trips off Dondra Point in a fully insured trawler boat which will last for 3 hours. Also there are good chances of spotting Spinner Dolphins also off Dondra. Ample of accommodation options are available as Dondra point can be reached easily from Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama, Mirissa and Tangalle which are popular beach locations in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s variety of mini climates, not only gives it a wealth of fauna and flora but also rugged terrain, high peaks, deep chasms, mountain gaps, high water falls and snaking rivers all ideal for eco, nature-adventures trekking trails for the enthusiast. If its hiking/trekking trails or adventure you are interested in, Sri Lanka’s mist covered central mountains in Ella offers marvellous opportunities. Trek through the nature of Horton plains, an environment characterized by forest patches, grasslands along with steep mountain passes, Trekking trails to Adams peak (Sri Pada) ascent the holy mountain to witness the mystic shadow of the peak across the lowland plains, or if you are in Kandy the knuckles range wilderness area which will take your breath away literally speaks of adventure and nature.

Sri Lanka has always been a place that refreshes not just the mind and body, but also the soul and spirit. And for thousands of years, the most popular method used to restore and rejuvenate tired bodies and weary souls has been Ayurveda – the oldest and most holistic medical system available
in the world

Sri Lanka has been a centre of spiritual and physical healing for 2,000 years. Ayurvedic programmes consist of a range of herbal treatments and various types of baths and massages, together with cleansing and revitalization techniques such as yoga, meditation and special diets.
Sri Lanka now has a number of spas, mainly on the west coast, which not only provide Ayurveda but also other Eastern and Western therapies, such as Thai massage, hydrotherapy, herbal baths, reflexology and beauty treatments. For those seeking spiritual nourishment, meditation courses are also available.

Hotel Room Booking system will allow online room reservations easier and increase direct bookings. This makes it easier for maintaining room availability, get direct bookings and also instant confirmations with credit card payments. It’s a powerful online hotel reservation system that can be used on any website offering bed & breakfast or hotel accommodation services. This is a feature rich and customizable room booking system. You can manage room types, hotel rates and booking options. It comes with an online reservation manager at the back-end with invoices and reports functionality.

The country is very clean and locals maintain it really well.One can hardly find a Srilankan spitting ,throwing waste or spoiling the locality in any manner.It is amazing to notice how streets are so neatly maintained.

Independence Memorial Hall (also Independence Commemoration Hall) is a national monument in Sri Lanka built for commemoration of the independence of Sri Lanka from the British rule with the establishment of Dominion of Ceylon on February 4, 1948. It is located at the Independence Square (formally Torrington Square) in the Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo. It also houses the Independence Memorial Museum.
The monument was built at the location where the formal ceremony marking the start of self-rule, with the opening of the first parliament by the HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester occurred at a special podium February 4, 1948.

The most street eating action in Sri Lanka happens in little hole-in-the wall restaurants, usually called hotels and bakeries. These joints are generally hot and grungy but very friendly. The food is great and oh so cheap.