Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: history

Sri Lanka's first capital, Anuradhapura, is more than two thousand years old. Buddhism arrived in the 3rd century BCE. King Kashyapa built his palace on top of the rock of Sigiriya in the 5th century. Kandy was the last royal capital, until the British took it in 1815.

The Portuguese, the Dutch and the British each ruled the coast. The island became independent in 1948. Tea was first planted in 1867. For Indian travellers there are also places linked with the Ramayana.

Sri Lanka: tourist attractions

• SigiriyaThe rock fortress, with ancient paintings and about 1,200 steps.
• Dambulla Cave TempleFive caves filled with statues and wall paintings.
• Temple of the Tooth, KandyThe most sacred Buddhist shrine in the country.
• Peradeniya GardensA large botanical garden near Kandy.
• Tea countryNuwara Eliya, a tea factory and the scenic hill train.
• Yala safariLeopards, elephants and birds. The park closes for some weeks around September.
• Galle FortA walled town built by the Dutch, a UNESCO site.
• ColomboGangaramaya Temple and the sea front.

Sri Lanka: excursions nearby

• Seetha Amman Temple near Nuwara EliyaA temple at the place linked with Sita's captivity in the Ramayana.
• Ravana Falls & Ella about 55 km from Nuwara EliyaA waterfall, the Nine Arch Bridge and tea-covered hills.
• Pinnawala about 40 km from KandyAn elephant orphanage.
• Polonnaruwa about 60 km from SigiriyaThe ruins of a medieval capital.
• Mirissa about 35 km from GalleWhale watching, from about November to April.

Distances are approximate. Tell us which excursions you want and we add them to your quote.