where is sri lanka | Sights of Sri Lanka + ways to travel and tour

Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean and Southeast India. This country is separated from the Indian subcontinent through the “Palak Strait” and is of special historical and economic importance due to its location on the maritime trade routes between the West and the East. The commercial capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo and its administrative and political capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

Sri Lanka is known for its natural diversity, rich culture and rich history. This country was known as Ceylon in the past and it has an ancient history of different kingdoms and empires. Sri Lanka has become a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful natural scenery of rainforests and lush mountains. Also, Sri Lanka is one of the largest producers of tea in the world and Ceylon tea is one of the famous products of this country.

Learn more about Sri Lanka:

where is sri lanka

• Location: South Asia, Central Indian Ocean, Southeast India (view on the map)
• Language: Sinhalese and Tamil
• Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee
• Time difference with Tehran: Two hours ahead of Tehran

Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country located in the Indian Ocean and separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Palk Strait. This beautiful island is 432 km long and 224 km wide. The total area is about 65,600 square kilometers and it has more than 1,340 kilometers of coastline.

_{Photo source: kerrenalamassa.fi website. Photographer: Unknown}

Sri Lanka’s proximity to the Indian subcontinent and its location at the crossroads of sea routes that cross the Indian Ocean have made it exposed to the cultural influences of other Asian civilizations. Ancient Greek geographers called Sri Lanka “Taprobane”. The Arabs referred to it as “Serendib” and the Europeans chose the name “Ceylon” for it, and it officially became Sri Lanka in 1972; Of course, in some commercial destinations, Sri Lanka is still known as Ceylon.

With a teardrop-like appearance, Sri Lanka is rich in natural resources and has a diversified economy based on agriculture, mining, fishing, manufacturing and tourism. This island is surrounded by a wide coastal plain and is located between 5 and 10 degrees latitude north of the equator. In the southern and central part of this country, there are continuous mountain ranges with high peaks, of course, the highest peak belongs to Pidurutalagala mountain with a height of 2,524 meters.

Neighboring countries of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island in South Asia, located in the middle of the Indian Ocean; Therefore, it does not have a direct land border with any country. This country is located in the southeast of India, and its closest neighbor is India with a distance of approximately 2,450 km by land and sea. The Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait separate Sri Lanka from South India. Sri Lanka is also located near the Maldive Islands, although there is a significant sea distance between the two countries.

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According to the geographical location of Sri Lanka, access to neighboring countries is possible by sea and air. Of course, in the past, on the route between the island of Sri Lanka and India, there was a chain of limestone rocks on the water for people to cross; But today, due to heavy sea storms, it is not possible to travel on the rocks.

Where is the capital of Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka has two capitals; “Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte” as the administrative capital and “Colombo” as the economic capital.

Sri Jayawardenepura Kote

The official and political capital of Sri Lanka is the city of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, which is located near Colombo. This city is the main center of government activities and the seat of parliament and many government institutions of the country.

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Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte was chosen as the official capital in 1977, and the purpose of this change was to separate the political centers from the commercial and economic activities that were concentrated in Colombo. With its green and relaxing atmosphere, this city plays an important role in the government affairs of the country.

Colombo

Colombo is known as the commercial and economic capital of Sri Lanka and is the largest city in the country. This port city is located on the west coast of Sri Lanka and is the center of economic, commercial and cultural activities. Most embassies and international organizations are also based in Colombo.

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Colombo is still considered as one of the most important cities in Sri Lanka and many of the country’s daily activities take place there; Of course, this city was considered a commercial city in the past due to the presence of the port and its strategic location on the sea trade route of East and West.

Important cities of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has several important cities, each of which has a special place in terms of history, economy, culture and natural beauty. In addition to Sri Jayawardenepura, Kote and Colombo, the most important cities in Sri Lanka are:

the slowness

“Kandy” (Kandy) is known as the cultural capital of Sri Lanka and has many beautiful places to visit. The colorful houses of this city are located among green hills and in the center of the city, the magnificent buildings around the lake have given the city a very beautiful appearance.

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Since the city of Kandy was the capital of Sri Lanka during the time of the past kings, there are many historical monuments from the colonial period. One of the most important ancient monuments of this city is the “Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic”, a Buddhist temple dating back to the 16th century. In addition to the magnificent palaces and temples, Kandy hosts the annual Esala Perahera festival; In this festival, the rich culture of Kandyan is displayed with all its glory.

gale

“Galle” (Galle) located on the southern coast is considered one of the other attractive and historical cities of Sri Lanka. By walking in this city, you can enjoy watching museums, abandoned castles and elegant buildings from the colonial era. In addition to ancient monuments, there are stylish cafes, fashionable boutiques and art galleries in this city.

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One of the most prominent ancient monuments of the city of Galle is the “Dutch” (Dutch) castle belonging to the 17th century. The fort is very spectacular at sunset and there are many stalls selling souvenirs.

Ngombo

Negombo is a pleasant beach town and a perfect place to relax and enjoy the golden sands. In the past, the city was the site of conflict between the British, Dutch and Portuguese who wanted to gain control of the cinnamon plantations.

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Ngombo is located north of Colombo and its old quarter still hosts a colonial-era fort. In this city, you can enjoy its tropical climate for relaxation.

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka and northwest of the city of Galle, and has become a popular destination for tourists with its wonderful beaches. In addition, it has great places for diving and surfing.

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In recent years, although Hikkaduwa has become a tourist town; But it still retains many of its charms. This city has a calm and pleasant atmosphere. Don’t forget to visit the National Marine Park with its colorful coral reefs.

Nuwara Eliya

“Nuwara Eliya” (Nuwara Eliya) is one of the most attractive cities in Sri Lanka with its beautiful gardens, colonial buildings and mild climate, and because of these attractions, it has been nicknamed Little England.

_{Photo source: audleytravel.com. Photographer: Unknown}

Nuwara Eliya is located in the beautiful mountainous region of Sri Lanka, surrounded by tea plantations and forested hills, and its surrounding mountains and waterfalls double its beauty.

History of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka dates back more than two thousand years, although the oldest human remains found on this island belong to 35 thousand years ago. This island is formed by two groups of “Sinhalese” and “Tamils” with the two dominant religions being “Buddhism” and “Hinduism”. Both groups migrated from India to Sri Lanka, and this made the country of India influence in various fields such as art, architecture, literature, music, medicine and astronomy in this island and its civilization was formed by the Indian subcontinent.

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Authentic chronicles show that the historical period of Sri Lanka begins with the establishment of the kingdom of “Thambapani” in the sixth century BC by the first ancestors of the Sinhalese people. Pandukabhaya is recorded as the first ruler of Sri Lanka from the kingdom of Anuradhapura in the 4th century BC. Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in the third century BC by Arhath Mahinda. During the following centuries, the island was divided into several separate kingdoms; But between 993 and 1077, it was temporarily united under the rule of the Chola dynasty. Sri Lanka was ruled by 181 kings from the Anuradhapura era to the Kennedy era.

From the 16th century, some coastal areas of Sri Lanka were under the control of the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Between 1597 and 1658 AD, a large part of the island was under Portuguese rule. The Portuguese lost their possessions in Sri Lanka due to the intervention of the Dutch in the Eighty Years’ War, and after the Kennedy Wars, the island was united under British rule in 1815. Armed rebellions against the British occurred in 1818 and 1848; Until Sri Lanka became independent in 1948. In 1972, the republican government was implemented in this country and the constitution was approved in 1978. The Sri Lankan civil war started in 1983 and continued until 2009.

Sights of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an attractive country with many historical and natural attractions. This country has pristine beaches, beautiful temples and green tea plantations and attracts many tourists due to its natural and cultural diversity.

Sigiriya

• Location: Central Province of Sri Lanka

“Sigiriya” is a historical fortress, dating back to the 5th century AD, built on top of a high stone mountain. This castle is a royal palace and a Buddhist monastery, and its atmosphere is more spiritual than militant! The historical attraction of Sigiriya has reached the UNESCO World Register.

_{Photo source: Google Map. Photographer: Yasitha Damruwan}

Sigiriya Castle may be a bit difficult to access; But watching the sunrise and sunset over this castle reduces the difficulty of the journey. As you descend from the cliff, pay attention to the paintings on its walls, which are a symbol of Sri Lankan culture and art.

Aduwalawa National Park

• Location: Southern Sri Lanka, the border of Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces.

Udawalawe National Park is one of the best places to see elephants in the wild. This park was created to protect the catchment area of ​​the huge Adowallah reservoir and about 400 elephants live in it. The national park has vast expanses of grasslands, small forests and riverine forests and is one of the best places for bird watching in Sri Lanka.

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You can see elephants swimming in the Senanayake Samudra lake while exploring the Udawalawe National Park with a boat safari.

Dambulla Cave Temple

• Address: Dambulla city

Dambulla Cave Temple, also known as the Golden Temple, is located 24 km from Sigiriya in the center of Sri Lanka. This temple was built around 80 years BC and is considered the largest and best cave temple in Sri Lanka.

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Inside the Dambulla Cave Temple, there are 153 Buddha statues in different tombs, three statues of ancient kings and four other statues including statues of Vishnu and Ganesh. The ceiling and walls have been painted over the centuries, juxtaposing images of royal life.

Temple of the Holy Tooth

• Location: Kennedy city

“Temple of the Holy Tooth”, which is also known as “Sri Dalada Maligawa”, is one of the other spiritual and tourist attractions of Sri Lanka. The reason for its name is because the tooth of Buddha is kept in the temple.

_{Photo source: britannica.com. Photographer: Unknown}

In addition to being a tourist attraction, the Temple of the Holy Tooth is considered a sacred place among the local people of Sri Lanka, and people visit this place to pray and light candles. In late June and early July, a festival is held to pay homage to this temple, and on the same day, you can see spectacular parades around the temple.

Arugam Bay

• Location: Southeast Sri Lanka

The beaches of “Arugam Bay”, located in the southeast of Sri Lanka, are one of the best areas of the country for water sports. In the forests around the bay, there are a lot of coconut trees and a huge part of Sri Lanka’s coconut comes from this area.

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Tourists mostly choose Arugam Bay for activities such as surfing, boating, diving and fishing, and today this place has become one of the best surfing destinations in the world. In addition to water activities on the beaches of this beautiful bay, you can drink coconut water, sunbathe and enjoy the aroma of jasmine flowers in the area.

The best time to travel to Sri Lanka

Due to its geographical location, Sri Lanka may have several weather conditions in different places in one month of the year; Therefore, to know the best time to travel to this country, you must first determine which part of the island you are traveling to. In terms of climate, Sri Lanka can be divided into two main climate zones, the western and southern coasts and the eastern part.

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To visit the west and south-west coasts (including Colombo, Galle and resort areas), choose the months between October and February (mid-October to mid-March). During this period, there is less rainfall and the weather is more suitable for beach activities and excursions. Also, the best time to visit the eastern coast is between May and September (mid-May to mid-October); Because in this season, the rain is less in these areas and the weather conditions are better.

In general, if you want to visit different parts of Sri Lanka and see less rain, choose December to mid-April, that is, from mid-December to late May. These months are the peak of the tourism season. The coastal areas of Sri Lanka have an average temperature between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius all year round.

Travel guide to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean, is an ideal destination for tourists who are interested in history, culture and nature. To travel to this country from Iran, the best way is to fly with international airlines. In this country, the public transportation system, including buses, trains, and taxis, is well developed, and traveling to different areas from the capital city of Colombo to tourist towns is easily possible.

_{Photo source: nomadicmatt.com. Photographer: Unknown}

If you want to have a budget trip to Sri Lanka, it is better not to choose the peak tourist times; In these cases, due to the high number of tourists, the prices increase by 50%. Also, try to enjoy local food in typical restaurants while traveling and enjoy free or low-cost activities such as walking on the beach, swimming, sunbathing, and biking.

Sri Lanka visa

To go to Sri Lanka, you need to obtain a visa; Of course, getting a Sri Lankan visa is very simple and it is possible to get it online without going to the embassy. There are several types of study, business, transit and tourist visas to enter Sri Lanka according to the type of travel and length of stay. The most common type is the tourist visa. By obtaining this visa, you can stay in Sri Lanka for a maximum of 30 days, and the deadline for using it ends after 180 days. For a tourist trip to Sri Lanka, you can also get an airport visa at the airport.

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To get a Sri Lanka e-Visa, you must bring the following documents:

• Identification documents
• Completed form online
• Passport with at least 6 months validity
• Return ticket from Sri Lanka and hotel reservation documents
• At least two photos

The visa will be sent to your email after one to two working days, after uploading the documents on the website of the Sri Lanka Immigration Department and paying the visa fee. Applicants must print this email and carry it with them to enter the country. If the visa is not emailed to you after this period of time, you should check the website again for the status of your visa.

Ways to travel to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island country in the middle of the Indian Ocean; Therefore, it is not possible to travel to this country by land, and people can travel by sea and air. Air travel to this country is more common; But if you want to travel by sea, you have to take the sea route from India to Sri Lanka by ship.

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There are direct flights between Iran and Sri Lanka; But most of the flights will stop at least once along the route from Imam Khomeini International Airport to Colombo International Airport in Sri Lanka. The duration of air travel to Sri Lanka takes 6 hours in case of a direct flight; But in a non-direct flight, the duration of the trip depends on the amount of stops and delays of the passengers to board the next flight.

Another way to travel to Sri Lanka is to register for tourist tours. Traveling with a tour allows you to stop worrying about your accommodation and visit the most beautiful tourist places in Sri Lanka in cities like Kandy, Bentota and Colombo with proper planning. Moving between cities and city tours are done by bus with a tour guide to enjoy the green roads and the beauty of the island.

The cost of traveling to Sri Lanka

The cost of traveling to Sri Lanka depends on various factors such as length of stay, type of hotel, flight and activities you plan to do.

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Sri Lanka tour cost: Sri Lanka tourism tours are carried out by Iranian or foreign flights, which of course has a direct relationship with the price of the tour. Sometimes Sri Lanka tours are offered in combination. In combined tours, besides visiting Sri Lanka, travelers also travel to the Maldives. In general, the cost of the tour depends on the time and duration of the trip, the flight time, the type and facilities of the hotel, the meals and the number of visits to the cities and tourist attractions of Sri Lanka. This amount for a seven-day tour of Sri Lanka starts from 845 dollars and reaches more than 990 dollars.

Plane ticket: The cost of plane tickets from Iran to Sri Lanka varies depending on the travel time, airline, flight class and number of stops. A round-trip ticket from Tehran to Sri Lanka in the fall of 1403 varies on average between 25 and 90 million tomans (about 400 and 1,400 dollars).

The cost of exiting the country: For the first trip, 520,000 Tomans, for the second trip about 780,000 Tomans, and for the third and more trips, this amount reaches 1,040,000 Tomans.

Tourist visa fee: The Sri Lankan visa fee used to be $50; However, in order to attract tourists, Sri Lanka has announced free visa fees for this country for 6 months as of October 10, 1403.

Cost of stay: The cost of staying in Sri Lanka varies from cheap hotels to luxury hotels. A one-night stay in a double room costs about $50 to $100 for average hotels, while luxury hotels cost more than $100.

Daily expenses: The cost of food in Sri Lanka is between 30 and 100 dollars per person per day and the cost of transportation is about five dollars.

Ticket price of tourist places in Sri Lanka: There are many tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. The cost of visiting some attractions is free; But in general, the cost of using the tourist attractions of this country varies from 3 to 50 dollars. The cost of visiting some tourist attractions in this country are:

• Sigiriya Museum ticket price: 6 dollars
• Sigiriya rock and its museum ticket price: 35 dollars
• Ticket price for visiting Pinnawala elephants: $16 for adults and $6 for children

With these factors in mind, a week-long trip to Sri Lanka should cost an average of $1,300 to $4,500 (including airfare, accommodation, and daily expenses).

Sri Lankan cuisine

Local Sri Lankan cuisine is famous for its use of spices and strong flavors, giving you a different experience of local Sri Lankan flavors. Some of the famous Sri Lankan dishes are:

Rice and curry food

“Rice and curry” is one of the most famous local dishes in Sri Lanka. This dish consists of steamed rice with various curries. Curry food is prepared from a lot of vegetables, meat, fish or seafood and a combination of spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, curry leaves and pepper.

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Hoppers

“Hoppers” are a type of crispy bowl-shaped pancakes. This local dish is eaten as a breakfast or snack and is cooked using fermented rice flour paste, coconut milk and sugar. An egg is usually broken in the middle and served with lentil or coconut curry.

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Koto Roti

Kottu Roti is a type of street food that consists of shredded rice bread with vegetables, meat, fish or eggs and spices. This food has a very pleasant smell and is consumed as an evening snack or dinner.

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Sambol money

“Pol Sambol” (Pol Sambol) is a type of spicy seasoning that is prepared from grated coconut, red pepper, onion, spices and lemon juice. These ingredients are pounded together in a mortar and consumed with other foods such as rice, curry and roti.

Pitou

“Pittu” is a food that is prepared from rice flour and fresh coconut and made into compressed tubes. This food is steamed and usually eaten with curry or dal.

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Kiribati

Kiribath is a traditional Sri Lankan dish made by cooking rice with coconut milk. This dish is served in a square shape and sprinkled with local pepper or curry. In Sri Lanka, kiribat is usually served on all occasions and celebrations, birthdays, weddings and Buddhist rituals.

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If you have ever traveled to Sri Lanka or have interesting information about this city, we will be happy to share it with the audience.

_{Cover photo source: tourlane.fr. Photographer: Unknown}