Sri Lanka Tourism News & Pictures

[DarkSeid]

The History Of Ceylon
The earliest-known inhabitants of the island now known as Sri Lanka were probably the ancestors of the Wanniyala-The Aetto people, also known as Veddahs and numbering roughly 3,000 inhabitants. Linguistic analysis has found a correlation of the Sinhalese language with the languages of the Sindh and Gujarat, although most historians believe that the Sinhala community emerged well after the assimilation of various ethnic groups.

Ancient Sri Lankan Legacy
Buddhism arrived from India in the 3rd Century BCE, brought by Bhikkhu Mahinda, who is believed to have been the son of Mauryan emperor Ashoka. Mahinda's mission won over the Sinhalese Monarch Devanampiyatissa of Mihintale, who embraced the faith and propagated it throughout the Sinhalese population.
The Buddhist kingdoms of Sri Lanka would maintain a large number of Buddhist schools and monasteries, and support the propagation of Buddhism into Southeast Asia.
Sanghamitta arriving in Sri Lanka with the Holy Bodhi Tree. Since ancient times Sri Lanka was ruled by monarchs, most notably of the Sinha royal dynasty that lasted over 2000 years. The island was also infrequently invaded by South Indian kingdoms and parts of the island were ruled intermittently by the Chola dynasty, the Pandya dynasty, the Chera dynasty and the Pallava dynasty. The island was also invaded by the kingdoms of Kalinga (modern Orissa) and those from the Malay Peninsula.

Colonial Era
Sri Lanka had always been an important port and trading post in the ancient world, and was increasingly frequented by merchant ships from the Middle East, Persia, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia. The island was known to the first European explorers of South Asia and settled by many groups of Arab and Malay merchants. A Portuguese colonial mission arrived on the island in 1505 headed by Lourenço de Almeida the son of Francisco de Almeida.
The Dutch arrived in the 17th Century. Although much of the island came under the domain of European powers, the interior, hilly region of the island remained independent, with its capital in Kandy. The British East India Company established control of the island in 1796, declaring it a crown colony in 1802, although the island would not be officially connected with British India. The fall of the kingdom of Kandy in 1815 unified the island under the British rule.
European colonists established a series of tea, cinnamon, rubber, sugar, coffee and indigo plantations. The British also brought a large number of indentured workers from Tamil Nadu to work in the plantation economy.

Sri Lankan independence and independence movement
Following the World War II, popular pressure for independence had intensified. The office of the Prime Minister of Ceylon was created in advance of independence on 14 October 1947,with Don Stephen Senanayake being the first Prime Minister. On February 04, 1948 the country won its independence as the Commonwealth of Ceylon. On July 21, 1960 Sirimavo Bandaranaike took office as Prime Minister, and became the world's first female Prime Minister and the first female head of Government in post-colonial Asia. In 1972, during Sirimavo Bandaranaike's second term as Prime Minister, the country became a republic within the Commonwealth, and the name was changed to Sri Lanka.

The Official Website of Sri Lanka Tourism

Hope the above will provide you the necessary knowledge about SL before going through this journey.
@Gibbs @HeinzG @Saradiel @Azizam @samv
You're welcome to add your all SL tourism related news here.

 

[DarkSeid]

Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka launches Ramayana Trail targeting Indian tourists

Mar 19, Colombo: Following the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the different agreement signed with President Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau has launched the Ramayana Trail targeting the Indian market.
After many meetings with the private sector, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotions Bureau will jointly launch the Ramayana Trail with top 26 operators in the Indian market where 19 key sites across the country from Ramboda, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Galle, Chilaw and Mannar will be showcased to be part of the Ramayana trail.
The Ramayana Trail goes back to the Sanskrit epic which is closely linked to Hinduism. The Ramayanaya consist of 7 chapters (kanda) where it narrates a story of Rama's wife Seetha being captured by Ravana, the king of Lanka. People in Sri Lanka through generations believed that King Ravana ruled Sri Lanka as a very dominant and powerful Kings.

Places to visit

1. Seetha Kotuwa, Location: Gurulupotha - Hasalaka

Legend: This is the place where the city of Lankapura once stood. The city had a beautiful palace for queen Mandothari surrounded by waterfalls, streams and varieties of flora and fauna. Seetha Devi was kept in this palace until she was moved to Ashoka Vatika. Seetha Kotuwa means Seetha's fort and got its name because of Seetha Devi's stay here.

2. Cobra Hooded Cave, Location: Sigiriya

Legend: This is called Cobra Hooded Cave as it has its shape. The tradition states that Sita was held in captivity here. There are many pre-historic drawings on its ceiling. There is a distinct link between Sita and the cave and it the following is inscribed, ‘Parumaka naguliya lene’. It would have been inscribed after Rawana’s period but positively it has a connection to Sita’s stay in this cave, as the word ‘naguliya’ refers to Sita.

3. The Chariot Path and Seetha Tear pond
Location: The jungle on the top of Ramboda Hills, on the Kandy - Gampola - Nuwara-Eliya Road

Legend: The barren land here is believed to be the route along which Ravana took Seetha Devi from his capital city Lankapura to Ashoka Vatika, to show her the beauty of his kingdom which was a paradise on earth. To date no vegetation grows on this passage except grass.

4. Seetha Amman Temple
Location: Seetha Eliya on Nuwara-Eliya - Welimada Road

Legend: A temple for Lord Rama, Seetha Devi, Luxshmana and Hanuman built on the sides of the stream where Seetha Devi bathed.

5. Pulasthi Statue
Location: Polonnaruwa

Legend: In Polonnaruwa to the north of the Pothgul Vehera is a granite boulder, adorned with a large statue. This is one of the finest statues in the Island and measures 11 feet 6 inches in height. The historians and the archaeologists have not confirmed its identity to date. Some refer to it as the statue of King Parakramabahu because its closeness to one of his major irrigation works; others refer to it as Rishi Pulasthi’s statue. The presence of a Brahmanical sacred thread that runs from the left shoulder across the body and the Ola leaf book that he carries confirms that it is of Rishi Pulasthi.

contd.

 

[kakathiya]

some more pics

 

[DarkSeid]

 

[DarkSeid]

Ramayana Trail

6. Ussangoda
Location: This is situated in the Southern Coast between Ambalantota and Tangalle

Legend: According to Ramayana, after meeting Seetha Devi Lord Hanuman decided to test the strength of the mighty King Ravana and his army of Rakshasas. In the event that unfolded Lord Hanuman's tail was set on fire by the Rakshasas, who in turn went on to torch some parts of King Ravana's empire. Ussangoda is one of the torched areas, which is said to have been an airport used by King Ravana.

7. Ishtripura / Konda Kattu Gala Location: This is situated in the Welimada Area

Legend: Ishtripura means an area of women in Sinhala. This was one of the places to which King Ravana shifted Seetha Devi as a precautionary measure, which he was forced to take by Lord Hanuman's advent.
Seetha Devi took a bath in the stream close by and had dried her hair sitting on a rock and put clips to her hair, hence this rock is known as Konda Kattu Gala.

8. Rishi Visravasmuni
Location: Isurumuniya

Legend: This stone monument placed at the celebrated Vessamuniya presently known as Isurumuniya Viharaya is of a bare bodied personality in deep meditation and significant bearing. A head of a horse can be seen behind the right shoulder. This sculpture has a head dressing and a “sacred thread” (poona noola)- a thread which is worn by ancient monastic personnel can be seen. The histories of these monuments are not properly explored by the archaeologists. They have a very irregular view about this outstanding sculpture and have named it as “Man and Horse”. How they have come to these conclusions are not known. This celebrated sculpture is of Rishi Visravasmuni and his white horse.

9. Ravana Cave
Location: From Bandarawela pass Ella to Ravana Cave

Legend: These tunnels prove beyond doubt the architectural brilliance of King Ravana. The tunnels served as a quick means of transport through the hills and also as a secret passage. They networked all the important cities, airports and dairy farms. A close look at these tunnels indicates that they are man-made and not natural formations.Existing tunnel mouths are also situated at Ishtripura in Welimada, Senapitiya in Halagala, Ramboda, Labookelle, Wariyapola in Matale, and Seetha Kotuwa in Hasalaka and in many more places.

10. Dolukanda
Location: Kurunegala

Legend: At different points of time during the war both Lord Rama and Lakshmana were hit by powerful arrows, fell unconscious and to bring them back to life Lord Hanuman was instructed to fetch the life saving herbs from Himalaya. Hanuman went to the hill, lifted the whole hill and brought it, as he was not able to identify the life saving herbs alone. Parts from the hill fell on five places in Sri Lanka, namely, Rumasala in Galle, Dolu Kanda in Hiripitiya , Ritigala on the Habarana Anuradhapura road, Thalladi in Mannar and Kachchativu in the north.

11. Rumassala
Location: Galle

Legend: Rumassala is a massive hill oddly out of place in the landscape just outside the Galle harbour. Legend details that during the Rama – Rawana war Rama's brother Luxhmana, was injured and Hanuman was sent to Himalayas to fetch medicinal herbs. Hanuman forgot the name of the herb but he brought a chunk of the peak containing many herbs. However the mountain fragment slipped and broke into five pieces of which one fell to Rumassala. It should be noted that the renowned scientist Sir Arthur C. Clerk has a bungalow in the precincts of Rumassala, as it is said to be the place that has the highest specific gravity globally.

12. Ritigala
Location: Sigiriya

Legend: Ritigala has 70 caves that have been used as dwellings by the earliest inhabitants of Sri Lanka and subsequently as monasteries. Ritigala in the Anuradhapura District is associated with the episode in the Ramayana where Hanuman is sent to the Himalayas to fetch medicinal herb to treat the injured Luxhmana. However, the mountain fragment slipped and fell while Hanuman was over Lanka, and it broke into pieces.

contd.

 

[DarkSeid]

Ramayana Trail

13. Divurumpola
Location: It is situated 15 km from Seetha Eliya on Nuwara-Eliya - Welimada Road.

Legend: This is the place where Seetha Devi underwent "Agni Pariksha" (test). It is a popular place of worship among locals in this area. Divurumpola means place of oath in Sinhala. The legal system permits and accepts the swearing done at this temple while settling disputes between parties.

14. Muneshwaram
Location: About 5 km from Chilaw Town

Legend: Lord Rama after his victorious battle left for Ayodhya in one of King Ravana's Vimanas. He felt he was being followed by Bramahathi Dosham as he killed King Ravana who was a Brahmin. He stopped the Vimana at this juncture because he felt at this place the "Bramahathi Dosham" was not following him. He discended from the Vimana and asked God Shiva for a remedy. God Shiva blessed Lord Rama and advised him to install and pray four lingams in Manavari, Thirukoneshwaram, Thiruketheeswaram and Rameshwaram in India, as the only remedy to get rid of the Dosham.

15. Kathirkamam
Location: Kataragama

Legend: This is the temple of Lord Karthikeya Subramaniam at Kataragama. Lord Karthikeya was requested to go to the battlefield by Lord Indra on the last day of war. This was done to protect Lord Rama from the wrath of Brahmasthra aimed by King Ravana which other wise would have weakened Lord Rama. The benefit was one of the most powerful weapon brahma asthra aimed at Lord Rama for the second time was rendered useless by the presence of Lord Karthikeya.

16. Ashok Vatika
Location: Nuwaraeliya

Legend: The Ashok Vatika is the place where Ravana kept the Sita captive. Ashok Vatika is a garden that is present in the Sita Eliya in Sri Lanka. Some of the interesting findings here include the rock on which Sita used to sat and meditate. Sita Eliya also have the only Site Temple in the world. The idols of Sita was excavated from here 100 years ago.

17. Manavari Temple
Location: Chilaw

Legend: Manavari is the first lingam installed and prayed by Lord Rama and till date this lingam is called as Ramalinga Shivan. Rameshwaram is the only other lingam in the world named after Lord Rama.

18. Kelaniya Buddhist Temple
Location: Kelaniya

Legend: After King Ravana’s death, Vibeeshana was coroneted as King of Lanka by Lakshmana at Kelaniya. There are murals enshrined outside the Buddhist temple depicting the crowning of Vibeeshana. The Kelani River is mentioned in the Valmiki Ramayana and Vibeeshana palace was said to be on the banks of this river.
King Vibeeshana was considered a fair king, as he supported Rama against his own brother’s injustice. Many devotees that visit king Vibeeshana’s shrine pray to him asking his intervention to a fair recourse to their problems

19. Panchamuga Anjaneyar Temple
Location: Kalubowila

Legend: This is the first Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka and also the only Panchamuga (five faced) Anjaneyar Temple in Sri Lanka. Its the only temple in the world to have a chariot for Ajanyear. The chariot festival is held annually end Dec/ beginning of January.

end.

 

[kakathiya]

srilankan beauties

 

[Godman]

July records 2nd highest monthly tourist arrivals ever

Tourist volumes to Sri Lanka in July grew 31.2 percent year-on-year (yoy) to the highest ever arrivals of 175,804, with China overtaking India as the largest tourism source market for the first time.

The largest regional market continued to be Western Europe with an 18.3 percent yoy growth to 64,905. British arrivals increased 23.7 percent yoy to 20,643, while French arrivals declined marginally by 0.2 percent yoy to 9,080. Dutch arrivals jumped up 56.6 percent yoy to 8,741, overtaking German tourist arrivals which grew 7.2 percent yoy to 8,494.

East Asian arrivals rose 37.5 percent yoy to 35,572, with Chinese arrivals rising 65.5 percent yoy to 25,120 while Japanese tourist numbers fell by 12.7 percent yoy to 2,797. Korean arrivals rose 16 percent yoy to 1,447.

Tourist visits from South Asia rose 36.3 percent yoy to 36,360, with Indian arrivals rising 28 percent yoy to 24,681, Maldivians 23.3 percent yoy to 6,032,Pakistanis 180.8 percent yoy to 3,445 and Bangladesh 63.8 percent yoy to 1,412.

Middle Eastern arrivals rose 167.6 percent yoy to 16,053 with tourists from Saudi Arabia increasing 297.3 percent yoy to 7,092, Omani travellers increasing 670.4 percent yoy to 2,997, and those from UAE increasing 116.4 percent yoy to 1,803.

The increase of travellers from the Islamic countries could be attributed to Eid holidays.
North American arrival increased 12.8 percent yoy to 8,158 with U.S. based arrivals increasing 19.1 percent yoy to 4,161, while visits from Canada increased 6.8 percent yoy to 3,997.

Eastern European arrivals increased 16.7 percent yoy to 7,378 with Russian arrivals continuing to fall; by 5.1 percent yoy to 2,514 while Ukrainian tourist levels increased 31.5 percent yoy to 1,353.

Australasian arrivals edged up 1.3 percent yoy to 5,926 with Australian tourist numbers falling 0.04 percent to 5,122, with the growth from New Zealand making for a marginally positive growth.

The seasonality of the past years in Sri Lanka tourism is appeared to have disappeared, with an off-peak month bringing the highest volume for 2015, while the levels have remained above 110,000 through the 7 months.

The July arrivals fall just below the highest-ever 178,672 monthly arrivals recorded in December 2014.

In the year-to-date, 1,005,855 tourists have arrived, signifying a 16.8 percent yoy growth. The target for this year presented by the past regime had been 2 million arrivals.

Western Europe remained the largest regional market for the 7 months with 321,472 arrivals at a growth rate of 15.4 percent yoy. South Asian arrivals increased 21 percent to 245,587, while East Asian arrivals rose 31 percent yoy to 205,274.

India remained the highest source market, drawing 170,134 arrivals with a 27.4 percent yoy growth, while Chinese arrivals rose 77.6 percent yoy to 119,705 and British rose 12.6 percent yoy to 93,223. (CW)

dailymirror .lk/82271/july-records-2nd-highest-monthly-tourist-arrivals-ever#sthash.QOIdH3PC.dpuf

 

[samv]

July records 2nd highest monthly tourist arrivals ever

Tourist volumes to Sri Lanka in July grew 31.2 percent year-on-year (yoy) to the highest ever arrivals of 175,804, with China overtaking India as the largest tourism source market for the first time.

The largest regional market continued to be Western Europe with an 18.3 percent yoy growth to 64,905. British arrivals increased 23.7 percent yoy to 20,643, while French arrivals declined marginally by 0.2 percent yoy to 9,080. Dutch arrivals jumped up 56.6 percent yoy to 8,741, overtaking German tourist arrivals which grew 7.2 percent yoy to 8,494.

East Asian arrivals rose 37.5 percent yoy to 35,572, with Chinese arrivals rising 65.5 percent yoy to 25,120 while Japanese tourist numbers fell by 12.7 percent yoy to 2,797. Korean arrivals rose 16 percent yoy to 1,447.

Tourist visits from South Asia rose 36.3 percent yoy to 36,360, with Indian arrivals rising 28 percent yoy to 24,681, Maldivians 23.3 percent yoy to 6,032,Pakistanis 180.8 percent yoy to 3,445 and Bangladesh 63.8 percent yoy to 1,412.

Middle Eastern arrivals rose 167.6 percent yoy to 16,053 with tourists from Saudi Arabia increasing 297.3 percent yoy to 7,092, Omani travellers increasing 670.4 percent yoy to 2,997, and those from UAE increasing 116.4 percent yoy to 1,803.

The increase of travellers from the Islamic countries could be attributed to Eid holidays.
North American arrival increased 12.8 percent yoy to 8,158 with U.S. based arrivals increasing 19.1 percent yoy to 4,161, while visits from Canada increased 6.8 percent yoy to 3,997.

Eastern European arrivals increased 16.7 percent yoy to 7,378 with Russian arrivals continuing to fall; by 5.1 percent yoy to 2,514 while Ukrainian tourist levels increased 31.5 percent yoy to 1,353.

Australasian arrivals edged up 1.3 percent yoy to 5,926 with Australian tourist numbers falling 0.04 percent to 5,122, with the growth from New Zealand making for a marginally positive growth.

The seasonality of the past years in Sri Lanka tourism is appeared to have disappeared, with an off-peak month bringing the highest volume for 2015, while the levels have remained above 110,000 through the 7 months.

The July arrivals fall just below the highest-ever 178,672 monthly arrivals recorded in December 2014.

In the year-to-date, 1,005,855 tourists have arrived, signifying a 16.8 percent yoy growth. The target for this year presented by the past regime had been 2 million arrivals.

Western Europe remained the largest regional market for the 7 months with 321,472 arrivals at a growth rate of 15.4 percent yoy. South Asian arrivals increased 21 percent to 245,587, while East Asian arrivals rose 31 percent yoy to 205,274.

India remained the highest source market, drawing 170,134 arrivals with a 27.4 percent yoy growth, while Chinese arrivals rose 77.6 percent yoy to 119,705 and British rose 12.6 percent yoy to 93,223. (CW)

dailymirror .lk/82271/july-records-2nd-highest-monthly-tourist-arrivals-ever#sthash.QOIdH3PC.dpuf

Is this idiot Ravi Karunanayake going to ban Chinese tourists now?