Culturally speaking, it might be tempting to assume Sri Lanka is simply a smaller replica of its northern neighbor, but make no mistake: Sri Lankans are not Indians. True, some of the aesthetic and culinary trappings read as “Indian” (the saris, the curries), but the majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhist, not Hindu, and their language and script, Sinhalese, are their own as well. What they do share with the Indians—and the Chinese—is the longevity of their culture, as well as extended periods of colonization: The Indians, the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the Brits all controlled the island, or large sections of it, at various points in history. 

Sri Lanka's documented history spans three thousand years. Its geographic location and deep harbours made it of great strategic importance from the time of the ancient Silk Road through to World War II. Sri Lanka is a diverse country home to many religions, ethnicities and languages. The Sinhalese are the majority, although there are manyethnic minorities, including Sri Lankan Tamils, Moors, Indian Tamils, Burghers, Malays, Kaffirs and the aboriginalVedda. Sri Lanka has a rich Buddhist heritage, and the first known Buddhist writings were composed on the island. The country's recent history has been marred by a thirty-year civil war which decisively but controversially ended in a military victory in 2009.

 

Why Go

Because it's one of Asia's oldest cultures and best-kept secrets.

Amazing beaches

ORIENTATION

Sri Lanka lies on the Indian tectonic plate, a minor plate within the Indo-Australian Plate. It is in the Indian Ocean southwest of theBay of Bengal, between latitudes 5° and 10°N, and longitudes 79° and 82°E. Sri Lanka is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. According to the Hindu mythology, a land bridge existed between the Indian mainland and Sri Lanka. It now amounts to only a chain of limestone shoals remaining above sea level. It was reportedly passable on foot up to 1480 AD, until cyclones deepened the channel.

The island consists mostly of flat-to-rolling coastal plains, with mountains rising only in the south-central part. The highest point Pidurutalagala, reaching 2,524 metres (8,281 ft) above sea level.

WHEN TO GO

The climate is tropical and warm, due to the moderating effects of ocean winds. Mean temperature ranges from 17 °C (62.6 °F) in the central highlands, where frost may occur for several days in the winter, to a maximum of 33 °C (91.4 °F) in other low-altitude areas. Average yearly temperature ranges from 28 °C (82.4 °F) to nearly 31 °C (87.8 °F). Day and night temperatures may vary by 14 °C (57.2 °F) to 18 °C (64.4 °F).

Rainfall pattern is influence by monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. The "wet zone" and some of the windward slopes of the central highlands receive up to 2,500 millimetres (98.4 in) of rain each month, but the leeward slopes in the east and northeast receive little rain. Most of the east, southeast, and northern parts of the country comprise the "dry zone", which receives between 1,200 mm (47 in) and 1,900 mm (75 in) of rain annually. The arid northwest and southeast coasts receive the least amount of rain at 800 mm (31 in) to 1,200 mm (47 in) per year. 

 

When you’re ready to escape the tropical climate of the coast and lowlands, head for the hills, which are verdant, virescent and virally infectious with allure. Impossibly green tea plantations and rainforested peaks beckon walkers, trekkers or just those who want to see it on a spectacular train ride.

And then there are the beaches. The beaches! Dazzlingly white and all so often untrod, they ring the island so that no matter where you go, you’ll be near a sandy gem. Should you beat the inevitable languor, you can surf and dive world-class sites without world-class crowds.

HOW TO GET THERE

BY PLANE

For the moment, however, Sri Lanka’s only international airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (www.airport.lk) at Katunayake, 30km north of Colombo. There are 24-hour moneychanging facilities in the arrivals and departures halls as well as ATMs.

Sri Lanka is well served by major Asian carriers, including Malaysian budget favourite Air Asia. Service from India is competitive between several carriers. Many visitors combine a visit to Sri Lanka with the Maldives. Sri Lankan Airlines and Emirates fly between Colombo and Malé.

Australia & New Zealand Connections are on Asian carriers such as SingaporeAirlines and Thai Airways. Using Emirates requires major back-tracking.

Sri Lankan Airlines links Colombo nonstop with Frankfurt, London, Paris and Rome. But nonstop service by a European airline remains a holy grail of Sri Lankan tourism. Connecting through on a Middle Eastern carrier such as Emirates, Etihad Airways,Kuwait Airways and Qatar Airways is common.