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| ABOUT SRILANKA |
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Always the Wildlife of Sri Lanka, given sanctuary in many National Parks, and strict nature reserves. We can see the elephant and leopard roam in freedom, as do the sloth bear, the spotted deer and Sri Lanka sambar deer. |
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Yala National Park is located in a tract of land covering approximately 1260 km to between Kumbukkan Oya and Menik River, and shares its borders with Yala strict nature reserve, Kumana, Kataragama, Katagamuwa and Nimalawa sanctuaries. The climate is semi-arid and dry with scrub jungle unique to this area along with rocky outcrops like kotigala, Jamburagala & Patalungala (Pattangala) strewn about the park, while several fresh and brackish water lagoons dot the park. |
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The wildlife of the Yala National park is bountiful and often exceptional, with sun basking crocodiles, languor monkeys, roaming herds of spotted deer, wild boar, along with Brahmin kites make it a great Wildlife park to observe animals. The “Salty’s” saltwater crocodilians, and “Mugger” or marsh crocodiles are large and known to be extremely aggressive can be found in the brackish lagoons, while Eagles and kites will entertain you with their food-gathering skills, along with raucous call of the horn-bills and gray languor monkeys make their presence known within the forest. The critically endangered black-necked stork or “Ali Manawa” can also be seen at Yala though very rare as only about 15 individuals or so are remaining according to records while over 200 species of birds recorded in Yala make it a birders paradise. |
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Full day or half days Jeep safari’s can be organised at the park gates though best organised through a travel agent to avoid ambiguities, as the drivers tend to take you in circles trying to complete your tour to grab the next tourist waiting at the gate. Park opens at 6.00 am and is closed for the public at 6.30pm and a entrance ticket must be purchased which includes the services of a Sri Lanka wildlife department tracker. DO NOT get off the vehicle unless otherwise directed by the tracker at designated locations.
There are peacocks aplenty displaying the vibrant colours of their tails to attract mates, as well as many species of parrot, stork, swift, the Brahiminy Kite, the Fishing Eagle, the colourful Kingfishers and Woodpeckers, and the unique tailor birds and weavers to name only a few. The inviting warm tropical climate of Sri Lanka also brings in a large number of winged visitors from as far away as Siberia to escape the cold of the winter, the most colourful of these being the Siberian Flamingo. There are also plenty of tern and wild duck that come here during the winter adding to the island's own 150 plus species of indigenous birds.
Udawalawe National Park is a 119-square-mile sanctuary for wildlife situated on the Walawe River. Established in 1972, the park is an important environment for the conservation of rare birds such as the White Wagtail and the Black Capped Kingfisher. Udawalawe National Park is also an important habitat for the Sri Lankan Elephant, with a growing heard of 250 elephants at present, attracted towards the river. In 1995 the Udawalawe Elephant Transit Home was established to home abandoned elephant calves and this can also be visited. |
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Kataragama also is pilgrimage town popular with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and indigenous Vedda communities of Sri Lanka and South India. The town has Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya, a shrine dedicated to Skanda-Murukan, also known as Kataragamadevio Kataragama is sitiated in the Monaragala District of Uva Province in Sri Lanka. It also houses the ancient Kiri Vehera Buddhist stupa. Since the 1950s the city has undergone many improvements with successive governments investing in public transportation, medical facilities, and business development and hotel services. It adjoins the popular Yala national park. |
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Anuradhapura can be dated back to 380 BC when it was set up as the capital by the King Pandukaghaya. This city is one of the renowned destinations for Buddhist pilgrimage in Sri Lanka.
Sri Maha Bodhiya is considered to be oldest living tree. It is a sacred religious spot for the Buddhists from all over the world. It is believed that Sanghamitta brought a branch from the Bodhi Tree and planted it here. Jetavanarama, Ruwanwelisaya, Mirisaveti Stupa, Dakkhina Stupa and Naka Vihara are some of the mostly visited stupas in Anuradhapura.
Tourist attractions in Anuradhapura are Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Lankarama and Isurumuniya. The Samadhi statue of Lord Buddha situated in Mahamevuna Park is a beautiful granite sculpture. It depicts Lord Buddha in the posture of meditation. |
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The Polonnaruwa is centerpiece of the ancient city of Sri Lanka. The Polonnaruwa Dalada Maluwa – the hall of the tooth relic was a sacred precinct containing 12 magnificent buildings and although there are numerous vatadage across Sri Lanka. |
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Geography
Sri Lanka is an island situated at the southern tip of India in the Indian Ocean. From North to South - 432 km From East to West - 224 km total area - 65, 525 sq. km
Population
Majority of Sri Lankans are Sinhalese and Buddhists, but the total population is a mixture of Tamil, Moor, Burgher (people of European descent). Sinhala, Tamil and English are the national languages. English is spoken throughout the island.
Climate
The south-west monsoon brings rain to the western, southern and central regions from May to July, while the north-eastern monsoon occurs in the north and east in December and January. The weather is finest in the coastal regions and hill country of the south-west from October to March. The temperature in the lowlands averages 27 degrees Celsius. However, temperatures fall rapidly with altitude. In Kandy the temperature on average is around 20 degrees Celsius and in Nuwara Eliya it is often below 15 degrees Celsius.
Time
Sri Lanka is +5 ½ Greenwich Mean Time.
Clothing
Lightweight clothing is recommended. It is a good idea to be conservatively dressed on the streets and shorts are not permitted in places of worship. Footwear off in temples. A light sweater is recommended in the hill country. Bring rain proofs, avoid synthetics.
Telephones
Card operated telephone booths and cyber cafes can be found in most towns. Cards can be obtained at the nearest shop or kiosk. Mobile telephone rentals are also freely available.
Health
It is safer not to drink water from the tap though water in major towns are treated. Boiled water, bottled water and water and ice at reputed hotels are safe. Government run hospitals and a number of private hospitals are available in the event of an emergency. Most hospitals are well equipped with medical specialists on call at any time of day. Reputed hotels have a Doctor on call.
Electricity
210-240 volts, 50Hz, Alternating Current / Plug sockets take round pins.
Currency
The currency in Sri Lanka is the Rupee. The value fluctuates with world market rates. All commercial banks are authorized to exchange money and so are most tourist class hotels. American Express, Master Card and Visa Card are also widely accepted.
Visas
Nationals of most countries may obtain visas on arrival, at the airport. It is best to check with your nearest Sri Lankan diplomatic mission or consulate. The visa that is issued at the point of entry is only valid for 30 days. Extensions can be obtained, if required, from the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Colombo.
Shopping
Sri Lanka offers good bargains in ceramics, garments, leather goods, gems etc.
Communications
The general post office is situated in the city of Colombo. Other towns have central post offices. Privately run agency post offices, cyber cafes, communication centers also function throughout most of the country.
Photography and Video
Photography and video filming often require permits at historical and sacred sites- it is advisable to check with the officials at each place. Film rolls and videotape are freely available in all main cities. |
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Sri Lanka has an amazing variety of tropical fruits and it would be misstate to leave the island without tasting them. The island is virtually a paradise of many kind of tasty fruits. Bananas, Papaw, Juicy Mangoes which are found in almost all areas of the county and custard apples from the up country have to be tried to really understand why the locals love them so much. Rambutan are Mangosteen available seasonally. You can see vendors lining the roads during the season for each fruit selling. Wood apple is also lovely fruit which can be enjoyed even more when made into a drink. Blended with coconut milk and made in the traditional way – wood apple juice. Jack fruit is another local fruit can be cooked into a delicious curry. It is rich and creamy fruit with a heady smell when ripe. |
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