Sri Lanka! Location, Culture, Weather, Transportation, and Visa Policy

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Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is a beautiful island country in the Indian Ocean in South Asia. For its adorable landscape that is constituted by lush tropical vegetation, planes, highlands, beaches and reservoirs, Sri Lanka is one of the best destinations in Asia for a nature-immersed experience. The country has an eventful colonial history that started with the advent of Portuguese in the 1600s and continued to the majority of the 20th century through various colonizers. From its pivotal position in the ocean, the country was a melting pot of tradesmen from both ends of the earth in the very ancient period, as far back as 300 BCE, when seafaring was the primary activity.

The time-old history of the country is validated by various archaeological findings excavated in many parts of the country. The secluded position and the mingling with the outsiders at the same time have prompted the country and its forefathers to cultivate a unique culture and art system for the country, that are still nurtured by its locals. Sri Lanka boasts of a diverse population, different religions, varied geographical elements and an exceptional culture.

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Geography of Sri Lanka! Where is Sri Lanka located?

With a typical tropical geography, Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean, separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, southeast of the Arabian Sea and southwest of the Bay of Bengal. The island has a diverse landscape structure with plains, highlands, beaches, reservoirs and mountains. Sri Lanka has 103 rivers, 45 estuaries, 40 lagoons, 51 waterfalls, 1585 Kilometers of coastline, 7000 hectares of mangrove ecosystem and stunning ecosystems made up of coral reefs and shallow ocean beds. The shallow reef spanning from Dhanushkodi of Indian mainland all the way up to Sri Lanka's northern province with a depth of as low as one meter at many places, is believed to be passable on foot until middle age, whereas, in Hindu mythology, it is believed to be the land bridge from India to Sri Lanka.

What is Sri Lanka's main Religion or Ethnicity?

More than 22 million people reside in Sri Lanka. As a multinational state, Sri Lanka makes home to various ethnicities such as Sinhalese, the Tamils, the Moors, the Burghers, the Malays, the Chinese and the indigenous Vedda. Sinhalese make up the largest ethnic division with three fourth of the population, while the Tamils constitute the largest minority group. Practiced by 70 percent of the population, Buddhism is the largest religion in the country with Hinduism coming in second practiced mostly by Sri Lankan Tamils. Islam and Christianity are also practiced by portions less than 10% of the population. As for the culture, Sri Lanka sticks to tradition in the arts and customs to a large extent. Due to the existence of varied religions and ethnicities, diversity in culture can also be seen in the country just like in India.

What language is mostly spoken in Sri Lanka? and Sri Lankan Currency?

Sinhala and Tamil are the two major languages spoken across the country while English is set for institutional uses. Business, academic, education and tourism sectors all have adopted English for smooth functioning. The Eurasian ethnic people, the Burghers, speak a romance language between them. The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) is the country's currency. 1 US dollar amounts to around 320 LKR. As a tourist destination, Sri Lanka can make an affordable place, especially to westerners, because their currency will have a large sum of LKR in exchange.

Sri Lanka’s Weather & The Best Time To Visit The Country

With an average yearly temperature range between 28 °C (82.4 °F) to nearly 31 °C (87.8 °F), Sri Lanka mostly enjoys a tropical warm climate. The central highlands can be chilly with temperature setting around 17 °C and get frosty sometimes. The central highlands mainly constitute the country's so called "wet zone" where rainfall is higher and the east, southeast and northern portions make up dry zones where little rain is observed. The country has two major rainy seasons. The South-West monsoon, lasting from May through July, affects the west and south portions of Sri Lanka while the North-East monsoon, occurring in October through January, affects the east coast.

From a tourist perspective, the best season to visit Sri Lanka depends on which portion of the country you are going to visit. If you are visiting the west and south coasts and hill regions of Sri Lanka, the best time to visit the country is December to March while the best season to visit the east coast is from April/May to September.

Sri Lanka as a Nation

Although Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital of the country, Colombo is the largest and financially center of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is the second richest country in South Asia in terms of per capita income. Export of spices, tea, coffee and rubber play a prominent role in the country’s economy ever. The unique landscape structure of the country that features highlands, plains, and beaches, along with various cultural spots, religious sites, ancient remnants and arts make Sri Lanka the apple of the eye for tourists who love nature and culture.

Transportation & Getting around in Sri Lanka

As for the intra-national transportation of Sri Lanka, the country has a well-structured road network that connects every nook and corner of the island, with more than 100,000 Kilometers of paved roads. In addition, the country has a good railway network covering 1447 Kilometers. Rail journey here is less expensive and memorable with the scenic outside views. Besides normal transfer options such as road and rails, the country can offer you navigation by water ferries and boats. Domestic flights, seaplane service and helitours are also available as a transfer option if you would like to enjoy a bird-eye view of the country. If you are a tourist who has intended to get around in the country, you could choose normal bus services, cab or tuk tuk. Although you could rent a car, driving it yourself can be a challenge for a foreigner. Better hire a cab! Or go for a tuk tuk if you could be careful with bargaining the fare.

Do I need a visa to go to Sri Lanka?

As for the international arrival, Colombo International Airport is the main gateway to the country. The people from neighboring countries such as Maldives, Seychelles and Singapore could get on-arrival visas. Nationals of Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Syria, Uganda and Pakistan need to have a pre-arrival visa to enter the country. All other countries can have an on-arrival Visa if they have completed ETA (electronic travel authorization) prior to their arrival, which is valid for three months from the day of approval. Once arrived, Visa can be extended up to 90 days from the day of the arrival.

Quick Takeaway About Sri Lanka!

• Major airport is Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.
• One Dollar amounts to roughly 320 Sri Lankan rupees.
• Most city living locals can understand English.
• Drive through left!
• Tuk tuk is the common way of getting around; careful while bargaining.
• Time zone is UTC+5:30 (SLST)
• Calling code +94
• Country is traditional and religious to a great extent.
• Local foods can be spicy.
• Hotels can simply mean restaurants.

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