Sri Lanka with DMS Travels
Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful islands situated in the southern hemisphere (in Indian Ocean) of the world. It is between 79˚42’and 81˚52’ longitudes and 5,55’ to 9,55’ latitudes. The total land area of Sri Lanka is 65610sq.km. The length and the breadth is around 445 km and 225km respectively. The entire land is surrounded by beautiful golden beaches namely Nilaweli, Pasikuda, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Tangalle, The central province of Sri Lanka is covered with beautiful mountains which rises up to about 2600m from sea level, provides us four main rivers namely Mahaveli, Kalu, Kelani and Walawe. The waterfalls like Dunhinda,Diyaluma, Lakshapana, Aberdeen, Duvili Ella, Bopath Ella, are one of the main tourists attractions which enhance the beauty of Sri Lanka. Tea, Rubber and Coconuts are the three main export products of Sri Lanka.
From time to time Sri Lanka faced serious invasions by European community, namely Portuguese (1505) Dutch (in 1656) and British (in 1815) They ruled the country quite a large number of years. In those periods they gave different names to the country. Once it was “Serendeeb” then “Taprobane” then by English as “Ceylon” until 1972 name of the country was Ceylon. In 1972 Sri Lankan Government re-named it as republic of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka received total independence from British government in 1948.
In about 400 B.C to 200 B.C Sri Lanka was ruled by Sinhala Kings, King Dutugamunu, King Parakramabahu, King Kashyapa, King Dhathusena, King Devanampiyathissa, and some others. Dutugamunu is the king who brought Sri Lanka under one flag by defeating the south Indian invader Elara. He is also one of the great Buddhist kings who built the biggest dagaba “RuwanweliMahaSaya”. During king Dutgamunu’s era the country became self sufficient. He built his kingdom in Anuradhapura.
King Parakramabhahu and King Dhathusena were two other kings who built tanks and reservoirs to improve the economic condition of Sri Lanka. King parakramabhahu made his kingdom in Polonnaruwa. King Kashyapa who killed his father King Dhathusena made Sigiriya royal city with his fortress capital on the summit of the rock. During the era of Sinhala kings, Sri Lanka was named as the granary of the eastern world by the rest of the world.
During the reign of king Dewanampiyathissa, Buddhism was introduced in 247 B.C by ArahathMahaMihinduThera, the son of emperor Ashoka of India. This is the most important event in Sri Lankan history as it set the country on the road to cultural greatness. The most prominent examples of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist influenced architectural heritage are the dagabas which can be seen from one end of the country to other.
The ruins at Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa will show the grandeur of Sri Lanka during ancient times. Geologically, Sri Lanka is composed of rich gemstone deposits. For more than 2000 years, Sri Lanka has been noted producer of rubies, sapphires, amethyst, alexandrite and topaz. Sanctuaries at yala, Kumana, wilpattu attracts thousands of tourists each year to watch the birds and wild elephants find plenty in Sri Lanka.
Overall, Sri Lanka is like one big masterpiece of a great artist which contains a vast of natural beauty and a great culture with an amazing history. The simple rural life always harmonizes with the nature and their activities always bound with their religion make the people known for great hospitality which makes the country suitable for an amazing holiday.
Emergency Numbers :
Police - 118/119 (emergency) / 011-2421052 (Tourist Police)
Ambulance - 110
Fire Department - 011-2422222
Weather :
April is the hottest month in Colombo with an average temperature of 29°C (84°F) and the coldest is January at 27°C (81°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 9 in March. The wettest month is May with an average of 382mm of rain. The best month to swim in the sea is in April when the average sea temperature is 30°C (86°F).