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Sri
Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean is located to the south of the Indian
subcontinent. It lies between 5O 55' and 9O 55' north of the equator and
between the eastern longitudes 79O 42' and 81O 52'. The total land area
is 65,610 sq. km. Sri Lanka's capital is Colombo, is a fascinating city,
not only for a comfortable blend of east and west, but also for a cosy mixture
of the past and present. Sri Lanka is mainly an agricultural country. The
chief crop is rice with which the country is almost self sufficient. Tea,
rubber and coconut are also important agricultural crops, with tea being
a major foreign exchange earner. In addition, other crops of importance
are cocoa and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, pepper and cloves.
Fruit and vegetables, native to both tropical and temperate regions, grow
well in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is also a major exporter of precious and semi-precious
stones. |
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Anuradhapura |
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Sri
Lanka's first capital, founded in the 5th century B.C. is situated 206 km. from
Colombo. Attractions worth seeing are:- The Sacred Bo Tree, Abhayagiri Dagaba,
Jetavanaramaya, Brazen Palace, Thuparama Dagaba, Samadhi Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna
and Mirisavati Dagaba. |
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Polonnaruwa |
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The
island's medieval capital (11th to 13th century A.D.) is situated 216 km. from
Colombo and rose to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura. The largest of the
man made reservoirs, the huge Parakrama Samudra, is larger in size than the
Colombo harbour. See also the ruins of the King's Council Chamber, the Royal
Citadel, the Kumara Pokuna, Royal Pavilion, the Vatadage Relic House lavished
with moonstones, guardstones and sculptured railing, Kiri Vehera - the best
preserved of all Sri Lanka's un-restored dagabas; Gal Vihare - the most impresive
sculptures are the colossal Buddha images carved on the face of a granite boulder.
The recumbent Buddha measures 14 metres and the standing figure is 7 metres
in height. |
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Sigiriya
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This
rock fortress was built by king Kasyapa in the 5th century A.D. and was a royal
citadel for more than 18 years. In a sheltered pocket, approached by a spiral
stairway, are the famous frescoes. The summit of the rock, with an area of nearly
one hectare was the site of the palace, the outer wall of which was built on
the very brink of the precipice. The UNESCO - sponsored Central Cultural Fund
has restored Sigiriya's 5th century Water Gardens to their former glory. |
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Kandy |
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Sri
Lanka's hill capital, stronghold of the Sinhala Kings, is our most beautiful
town. It is 488 metres above sea level and next to Colombo is Sri Lanka's most
visited place. The focal point of the town is, without doubt, the golden roofed
Dalada Maligawa where the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha is enshrined. Major
restoration work is in progress here by the UNESCO - aided Central Cultural
Fund. The highlight of the year is the Esala Perahera, when a replica of the
relic casket is taken in procession accompanied by exotically costumed dancers,
drummers and about 80 to 100 elephants during ten glittering nights in July/August.
Visit Kalapuraya in the beautiful Dumbara valley 8 km. from Kandy, where descendants
of the ancient craftsmen still create items of rare elegance in metal and wood.
There are many shrines and temples in and around Kandy, where you will see rare
paintings, frescoes, wood and stone carvings. Don't miss the Peradeniya Gardens
begun as a pleasure garden by a Sinhala King, with its amazing variety of trees,
plants and flowers. Kandy is an exciting place for shopping with souvenirs in
wood, copper, silver, brass, ebony and bronze. Ceramics, lacquer work, handlooms,
batiks, jewellery and rush and reed-ware can also be purchased. |
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Nuwara
Eliya |
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Set
in the heart of the tea-country, this beautiful town is where the British succeeded
in creating an English countryside with homes in styles from Georgian to Queen
Anne. Well-kept lawns with hedges, an Anglican church and the famous golf course
and beautiful parks give the place an air of nostalgia. Situated 1890 metres
above sea level, the air here is cool and fresh - a serene retreat from the
hustle and bustle of Colombo. Close to Nuwara Eliya are Horton Plains, Sri Lanka's
highest and most isolated plateau. Nature lovers will revel in this wide, patna
grass covered plain, the haunt of many wild yet harmless animals and the home
of many species of birds.
Bridle paths will take you to the precipice known as World's End - a sheer drop
of 1050 metres. Acres and acres of tea with its lush green foliage extend miles
across the hills and no visit to the hill country is complete without a visit
to a tea estate and the chance to purchase some of the world's finest flavoured
tea - our major export crop.
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Ratnapura
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Sri
Lanka's `City of Gems' and the centre of its gemming industry. The gems found
include sapphire, ruby, cat's eye, alexandrite, topaz, amethyst, aquamarine,
tourmaline, garnet and zircon. Visits to gem mines may be arranged through travel
agents. Gem collections can be seen at the National Museum, Ratnapura and a
number of private museums, rubber and tea estates and scenic landscape are found
in plenty. |
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Negombo
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Beaches |
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A characteristic
fishing town 37km. north of Colombo, it is a mere 6 km. from the International
Airport. Set amid lush groves of coconut palms, it breathes the spirit of the
sea. Negombo is a gourmet's paradise with sea food in plenty. Old world fishing
craft like the outrigger canoe and the catamaran bring seer, skipjack, herring
and mullet, pomfret and amber - jack while lobster and prawns are caught in
the lagoon. |
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Mount
Lavinia
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Just
12 km. south of Colombo, Mount Lavinia is an immediate city suburb and the beach
is one of the better known even in colonial times. It lies alongside a wind
swept headland jutting into the waters of the Indian Ocean. The sand is the
softest and the waves calm and clear. The Governor's House built in 1805 by
Sir Thomas Maitland, now forms part of the famous Mount Lavinia Hotel. |
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Bentota
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62
km. south of Colombo, the Bentota Resort Complex is a romantic rendezvous of
river and sea with several hotels, railway station, post office, shopping arcade,
cafeteria and an open air theatre showing folk and mask dancing with clusters
of palms overlooking everything. |
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Hikkaduwa
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98
km. south of Colombo, Hikkaduwa is the place for underwater delight. Site of
the famed coral gardens; hire a glass bottomed boat or goggles and flippers
and explore the fantasies under your feet. Don't purchase or encourage sale
of corals. |
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Galle
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116
km. south of Colombo, is the most important southern town with an old-world
charm. Believed to be the 'Tarshish' of the Bible, its natural harbour was a
famous fort in days gone by. Famous for its Dutch fort, lace making, ebony carving
and gem polishing. |
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Weligama
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27
km. from Galle with its picturesque bay, and an off shore islet where a French
Count built his dream house, Weligama is where you will see the famous stilt
fishermen. |
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Uda
Walawe National Park |
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National
park / Santuaries |
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Situated
170 km. South East of Colombo the Uda Walawe National Park is approximately
30,821 hectares in extent. This Park which lies within the Ratnapura and Monaragala
Districts acts as the catchment to the Uda Walawe Reservoir and is located in
the Dry Zone. This Park comprises grasslands and thorn scrubs and many valuable
species of trees are found within it. Large herds of Elephants and Deer species
such as spotted Deer, Sambhur, Barking deer and Langur, Wild Boar, Water Buffalo,
Jackal are some of the prominent wild animals found in this Park and a variety
of avifauna is seen. |
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Wilpattu
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Situated
176 km. north of Colombo, Wilpattu is approximately 1,908 sq.km. in extent.
It has a dense jungle cover which makes it a more exciting park where animals
have to be tracked. There are numerous delightful little lakes - known as villus
- and the leopard and sloth bear are the speciality rather than elephants.
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