Sri Lanka's currency

In sri lanka the currency that they use is the Sri Lankan Rupee which concists of 100 cents and comes in denominations 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and the rest are notes and come in 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 dollars. A Sri Lankan rupee is also known as LKR in currency converters.

Usually when you exchange cash at trave agencies or banks, the will have a surcharge of 0.5% which if you exchanged $5000 US to Sri Lanka's currency you would get $557 500 rupees and would have to pay the bank $25 US

1 US dollar = 111 LKR
1 AUS dollar = 110 LKR
1 GBP = 178 LKR
1 Indian rupee = 2.4 LKR

1000 LKR

Bibliography
exchange rates from http://www.xe.com/
information from http://www.tourism-srilanka.com/currency.html

Religion of Sri Lanka

Buddhism came to Sri Lanka from India in the third century BC. They also followed Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.Singhalese are adherent to Buddhism but the ethnic group like Tamils, Moors, Burghes practice Hinduism, Islam and Christianity respectively. In a period of great tension between Singhalese and the Tamils, religion plays an important role of the Buddhist people. They hold many religious festivals and ceremonies.

Best times to Visit Sri Lanka

Best time to travel to Sri Lanka is between the main rainy seasons. The period from November to April is the driest season on the south west coast and up in the hills. Here, some of the best beaches and many other places of tourist interest are located. Therefore, period between November and April is the best time to visit this region and this period is also considered as tourist season in Srilanka. May to September is the best time to visit east coast, as it is dry during this period. Hence, Sri Lanka is round-the-year destination-there is always a good time to visit at least some part of the country.

There are two monsoons in Sri Lanka and a Summer.

How to get to Sri Lanka? TRANSPORTATION

Sri Lanka is an island in Indian Ocean off the southwest tip of India, about the half-size of Albama.

You can get there by planes to Colombo and some of the flights are:

• Perth to Colombo in Sri Lankan air lines

Return in ECONOMY class     
   15th Feb 2011   to   28th Mar 2011        
 Only   $ 646 / Person

• Perth to Colmbo in malasiyan airlines

Economy Class
16th Jan 2011  to  15 Jun 2011
Only $ 1079 / Person


For further detail, go to http://www.srilankan.aero/  or  http://www.emirates.com/

Sri Lanka main Languages

Major languages spoken- Sinhala ( also called Sinhalese or Singhalese).
Is a mother tongue of the Sinhalese ethnic group which is largest in Sri Lanka. It belonged to to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo- European languages. Sinhala is spoken by about 16 million people in Sri Lanka, 13 million are native speakers. Sinhala is one of the recognised languages of Sri Lanka, along with Tamil. Tamil is a classical language and the oldest of the of the Dravidian language family spoken by Tamils in India, Malaysia and Singapore.

Climate

this is a diagram of where rain in Sri Lanka is the heaviest, the heaviest rain ia at Adams Peak and is 5000 -6000mm and the lightest is at Mannar and is 500-1000mm yearly.

here is a diagram of colombo in Sri Lanka's climate and rainfall, the average rainfall yearly is 182.2mm and their average temperature is 26 degrees C, due to Sri Lankas placement just above the equator and has a high humidity all year, usually hovering around 70%.

I got both of these images in google search, and the information is interpretated from the diagrams.



By josh washington

Places of interest

Sri lanka the oasis just under india is a popular holiday destination. Sri Lanka is also overflowing with rich heritage and has lots of architectural ruins in the inner highlands this is an indication showing the presence of ancient civilizations.

Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura One of the most important and extensive of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities, Anuradhapura is still scattered with remnants of the ancient Sinhalese architecture and culture.

The traces of Buddhism flourishing are revealed by the presence of The Sacred Bo-Tree and old temples like the Thuprama Dagoba. The Sacred Bo-Tree is a tree of the same type under which Buddha achieved enlightenment. The Thuprama Dagoba is the oldest temple in Sri Lanka and houses Lord Buddha’s collar bone. The lake on the South eastern part of the city is as old as 11th century and is still in a good state. The remains of the vast tank, which was part of the irrigation system of the ancient city, indicates to their advancement in technology in that age itself.

Ratnapura

Ratnapura is the city which has made Sri Lanka famous for Gems. 100 kms south east of Colombo. in Ratnapura they used to mine rubies sapphires and many other gems. Ratnapura is also famous for being the best place to get a good view of the Adam’s Peak. Ratnapura essentually helped put Sri Lanka on the trading map because royals always liked buying and trading gems.

Adam's Peak

Sri Lanka's only mountain which has an altitude of 7350 feet, goes by the common name, Adam’s Peak. it is known to buddhists as Sri Pada, Considered sacred by both Buddhists and Christians, this peak offers a fabulous view of sun sets and sunrise.

Apparently Buddha left his footprints on the summit of this mountain which is why it is considered sacred. The peak was named “Adam’s Peak” by the Christians as they believed that Adam and Eve resided here.

Colombo

Colombo was once just a small trading port. The Portuguese, the Dutch and then the British realized the importance of this small port and developed it. The canals were connected to the lakes and lagoons around Colombo, and the number of spice plantations was increased. As they developed the port, they also left behind reminders of their rule. Churches, Buddhist Temples, Hindu Temples, and Mosques are all a reminder of the past and are part of the architectural heritage of Sri Lanka.

Polonnaruwa

Rising to fame after the fall of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa was the capital of the Island during the time period of 11th to 13th century. At a distance of 216 kms from Colombo stands this city with the largest artificial reservoir – the Parakrama Samudra. This man made reservoir is even larger than the Colombo harbour.

Here you can experience the feeling of awe the huge sculptures of Buddha carved on one single boulder of rock surface – the Gal Vihare inspire. The other places of interest are the ruins of the Royal Citadel, the Royal Pavilion, the King’s Council Chamber and the Vatadage Relic House amongst others.

 By josh

image from: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/18707246

Sri Lanka location

Sri Lanka's position between 5 and 10 north latitude endows the country with a warm climate, moderated by ocean winds and considerable moisture. The mean temperature ranges from a low of 15.8° C in Nuwara Eliya in the Central Highlands (where frost may occur for several days in the winter) to a high of 29° C in Trincomalee on the northeast coast (where temperatures may reach 37° C). The average yearly temperature for the country as a whole ranges from 26° C to 28° C. Day and night temperatures may vary by 4 to 7. January is the coolest month, causing people, especially those in the highlands, to wear coats and sweaters. May, the hottest period, precedes the summer monsoon rains.

The rainfall pattern is influenced by the monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal and is marked by four seasons. The first is from mid-May to October, when winds originate in the south-western sector of the island the southwest, bringing moisture from the Indian Ocean. When these winds encounter the slopes of the Central Highlands, they unload heavy rains on the mountain slopes and.

Beaches in Sri Lnaka

The most beautiful, wide and sandy beaches can be found in Bentota (South West) a thriving tourist resort with many hotels. .  Nov - April are for safe all year round for swimming but generally the South coast suffers with the seasons and many beaches narrow off April - October. However, it does boast the best snorkelling reefs in Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna. 

Unawatuna and its surrounding beaches are very narrow, but there are excellent snorkelling reefs. There are a number of secluded and quiet bays along the south coast which kiss the gardens of private villas like Southpoint, Ape Villa and The Beach Hut.

Mirissa is a sleepy southern town which boasts a fabulous beach and very few tourists. Mostly Guesthouses

http://www.boutiquesrilanka.com/interests_beach_holiday.php

Sri Lanka's major festival

Buddhist New Year
In Theravadas countries, Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Lao, the new year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In Mahayana countries the New Year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. As for example, Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later.

Vesak or Visakah Puja ("Buddha Day")
Traditionally, Buddha's Birthday is known as Vesak or Visakah Puja (Buddha's Birthday Celebrations). Vesak is the major Buddhist festival of the year as it celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha on the one day, the first full moon day in May, except in a leap year when the festival is held in June. This celebration is called Vesak being the name of the month in the Indian calendar.

The Elephant Festival
The Buddha used the example of a wild elephant which, when it is caught, is harnessed to a tame one to train. In the same way, he said, a person new to Buddhism should have a special friendship of an older Buddhist. To mark this saying, Thais hold an elephant festival on the third Saturday in November. 

The Festival of the Tooth
Kandy is a beautiful city in Sri Lanka. On a small hill is a great temple which was especially built to house a relic of the Buddha - his tooth. The tooth can never be seen, as it is kept deep inside may caskets. But once a year in August, on the night of the full moon, there is a special procession for it.

Ulambana (Ancestor Day)
Is celebrated throughout the Mahayana tradition from the first to the fifteenth days of the eighth lunar month. It is believed that the gates of Hell are opened on the first day and the ghosts may visits the world for fifteen days. Food offerings are made during this time to relieve the sufferings of these ghosts. On the fifteenth day, Ulambana or Ancestor Day, people visit cemeteries to make offerings to the departed ancestors. Many Theravadins from Cambodia, Laos and Thailand also observe this festival.
Ulambana is also a Japanese Buddhist festival known as Obon, beginning on the thirteenth of July and lasting for three days, which celebrates the reunion of family ancestors with the living.

Avalokitesvara’s (Kuan Yin) Birthday
This is a festival which celebrates the Bodhisattva ideal represented by Avalokitesvara. Who represents the perfection of compassion in the Mahayana traditions of Tibet and China. It occurs on the full moon day in March.

Travel In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka located in the southern tip of India has become increasingly popular as a travel destination. About twenty million people reside on this relatively small island that used to be called as Ceylon. People who come over to Sri Lanka can expect a great beach holiday where Hikkaduwa is well known for its beach-resorts and for its brooding turtles.
The country is proud of its warm sandy beaches with calm clear water which give way to majestic mountains and lush tea plantations rising out of the hill country. Some of the worlds engineering marvels like Sigiriya and the Anuradhapura ancient cities are all part of Sri Lanka.
Marco Polo himself called it “the finest island of its size in the world.”Fact File
Official Name : Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Government :Democracy Nationality : Sri Lankan Ethnic groups : Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Moor 7%, Burgher, Malay, and Vedda 1% Location : Sri Lanka is located off the southern tip of India. Continent : Asia Currency : Sri Lanka Rupee(LKR) ; 1 LKR = 0.4358 INR = 0.01001 USD = 0.008285 Euro (subject to change). Capital city : Colombo Population : 18,500,000 Languages : Sinhala, Tamil, with English widely-spoken Religion : Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam & Christianity Area : 25,322 square miles Famous for : Lush jungles, abundant wildlife, cool mountains and glorious beaches Major cities : Colombo, Kandy, Galle.

When to go
 The driest and best seasons are from December to March on the west and south coasts and in the hill country, and from May to September on the east coast
It does not rain all the time. Reefs protects beach area and make swimming quite awesome at places like Hikkaduwa, which during the monsoon can be quite pleasant.
Getting There
By Air : The only way to enter Sri Lanka is by flying. The Bandaranaike International Airport is the only international airport in the country located 35 km. north of Colombo and Srilankan Airways is the international airways in the country.
Colombo is the international gateway for direct flights from Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

Getting Around
By Road : There are no domestic passenger flights in Sri Lanka, which leaves buses and trains as the dominant modes of transport. Motorbike and self-drive car hire are becoming increasingly popular comfortable. It's common to rent a car with a driver for a day trip or a few days' tour of the island.
By Train : Train travel, while slower, is more comfortable.
The trains are the most cheapest traveling in Sri Lanka.  Pettah railway station  is the central railway station from there travelers can take their trains to different destinations. You can take trains to most of the important places in the island. Badulla, Colombo Fort, Kandy, Maradana, Matara, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Vavunia are various cities connected by the railways.

Travel In Sri Lanka - Colombo

Colombo being a commercial capital of Sri Lanka has loads to offer with all its narrow streets and colourful market stalls to cinnamon gardens. It not only is the largest city of Sri Lanka but also harbours the largest harbors in the world. The standard time here is 6 hrs ahead of GMT. This is a very lively and a happening place and is a paradise for the shoppers. This lively city welcomes you with a smile and keeps you smiling all the way.

Fact File
Official name : Colombo Population : 700,000 Languages : Sinhala, Tamil and English. Climate : Colombo has a uniform temperature while it has two monsoons twice a year. The annual average temperature is around 27 degree celcius but it reaches a high between March and June. During this season people here normally wear cotton clothes.Official Currency : Sri Lankan Rupee(LKR) ; 1 LKR = 0.4358 INR = 0.01001 USD = 0.008285 Euro (subject to change).Location : Colombo is a port in the Indian Ocean near the mouth of the Kelani river. It is located in the western part of Sri Lanka and is the most happening city along with its colonial era buildings.

Getting There
By Air : Colombo Bandaranayake (CMB) (Katunayake), the city’s international airport is 32km (20 miles) from the city. Buses go to the city every 30 minutes. Taxis are also available( Travel time - 1 hour 25 minutes)

Getting Around
Colombo has a reasonably good network of public transport, in the form of buses and trains that link the city to the suburbs. Train fares are slightly lower than bus fares, but getting a bus is infinitely easier than trying to catch a train, so it works out about the same. Fort railway station is an railway station in the city.
Other than buses and trains, taxis and three-wheelers also can be hired, though obviously these are more expensive; meters are often not used, and it’s best to do the negotiating and settle on a mutually acceptable price before you start the trip.
Accommodation
The city has number of decent hotels to ensure a convenient stay for the visitors. Mentioned below is the list of hotels in the city:5 Star hotel accommodations in Colombo:
Galle Face HotelGaladari Hotel
Ceylon Continental Hotel
Colombo Plaza
Trans Asia Hotel
Taj Samudra4 Star hotel accommodations in Colombo:
Holiday Inn Colombo3 Star hotel accommodations in Colombo:
Sapphire hotel2 Star hotel accommodation in Colombo:
Grand Oriental Hotel Colombo
Indraregent Hotel Colombo

Major tourist attractions
The fort : The fort had its glory during dutch and Portuguese periods but now it is a commercial center of the country with all the big hotels, offices, banks and restaurants The colonial buildings, light house clock tower quite attract the tourists here.
Cinnamon gardens : Almost a century ago this area had cinnamon plantations while now the trees line the streets forming a boulevard. The Viharmahadevi park is the oldest park of the city with its trees that flower from March to May.
Dehiwala zoo : 11km from the fort to its south has a beautiful collection of fauna. The aquarium here has 500 species of aquatic life. An aviary, a nocturnal house,a butterfly park are too hard to miss. If is not enough, the elephant show in the evenings surely wins the hearts.
Galle face green : This is a sea face with picturesque view and the largest open space in Colombo. A favourite place for children, lovers, merrymakers and vendors next to the sea under an open sky.
Museums : national museum of Colombo, the oldest museum of Sri Lanka with all its antique collections, gives an idea of the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka. The dutch period museum an embodiment of unique architecture is now housed in an old dutch house. The Banderanaike museum, dedicated to late prime Minister S.W.R.D Bandernaike exhibits photographs,objects related to his life.
Mount Lavinia : is 8 miles from Colombo and is one of the loveliest beaches. The focal point here is mount Lavinia hotel which was initially a residence of a British governor.
Other Attractions
Pettah- famous bazaar
Temples- Buddhists temple Kelanya Raja Mahavira
Churches- St. Peter's Church,St. Anthony's Church, Wolvendaal Church
Mosques- Jami-ul-Alfar
Slave Island

Travel In Sri Lanka - Kandy

Kandy is built around a lake and boasts of picturesque view of hills. This lake at the centre of the city makes the city very attractive and also helps in keeping the environment cool. This laid-back capital of Sri Lanka has a very distinct architecture while its standout attraction is the Dalada Maligava temple which houses the sacred tooth of Buddha. With all its mountains and lake, this place is ideal for trekking and water sports.Fact File
Country : Sri LankaPopulation : 161395 Languages : Sinhala, Tamil, EnglishClimate : The weather in Kandy is cooler and wetter than the coastal areas so do not forget to carry with you warm clothes. The dry season lasts here from December to April. The moderate climate here is perfect for tea plantations. The humidity here is between 70% to 79%.
Dry Season(December – April) : 22oC - 30oC , Monsoon Season(May – August) : 25oC - 29oC , Inter-Monsoon Season (September – November) : 24oC - 29oCOfficial Currency : Sri Lankan Rupee(LKR) ; 1 LKR = 0.4358 INR = 0.01001 USD = 0.008285 Euro (subject to change).Location : Kandy is located at a distance of 116km from the Colombo city which is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. To arrive to this beautiful destination the tourists can take rail or road route. Mahaveli Ganga river which runs through the city has many tributaries thus providing natural drainage to the city as well as a healthy and clean environment.

Getting there
After landing at the Colombo International Airport the tourists can reach Kandy in 3hrs from Colombo by bus. Road to Kandy is quite neat so tourists can take cars or go by van as well. There are trains as well running from Colombo to Kandy, however they take a bit longer to reach there.

Book a tour to Kandy

Getting Around
Kandy has a reasonably good network of public transport, in the form of buses and trains that link the city to the suburbs. Train fares are slightly lower than bus fares, but getting a bus is infinitely easier than trying to catch a train, so it works out about the same. Kandy railway station is an railway station in the city.
Other than buses and trains, taxis and three-wheelers also can be hired, though obviously these are more expensive; meters are often not used, and it’s best to do the negotiating and settle on a mutually acceptable price before you start the trip.

Accommodation
The city has number of decent hotels to ensure a convenient stay for the visitors. Mentioned below is the list of hotels in the city:4 star hotel accomodations
Le Kandyan Hotel
Mahaweli Reach Hotel
Hotel tree of life( resort) 3 and a half star hotel accomodations
Citadel Hotel
Thilanka Hotel 3 star hotel accomodations
Queens Hotel
Regent lodge
Hotel Suisse 2 star hotel accomodations
Hotel Casamara
Hotel Hill Top
Topaz
Hotel Tourmaline

Major Tourist Attractions Dalada Maligava : Also called as the temple of the sacred Tooth of Relic is a must visit place for the Buddhists. The Pathirippuva or the octagon was built by the king of Kandy in 19th century who had also built the lake. Daily rituals are performed in the temple to venerate the relic. Esala Perahera, the colourful pageant is held here for ten nights every year to honour the Tooth Relic.Malwatta and Asgiriya Monastries : Located on the southern and western side of the lake, they form the center of Buddhism. Asgiriya temple houses the gigantic statue of Buddha and the ground here has been the cremation ground for the Kandyan royalty. Kandy Lake : This is the heart of the Kandy city and is the most famous landmark of the city. There is an old building at its edge, near the Dalada Maligava temple which was initially the queens bath.Royal Botanical Gardens : They are located at a distance of 6km from the city at Peradeniya . The Orchid house here contains 300 varieties of Orchids. The lush green lawns and huge trees are a welcome sight along with the spice garden here which will introduce you to the spices of Sri Lanka. Other Attractions
The Kandy market is a great bazaar
The Kandy museum
The Gadaladeniya Temple
Lankatilaka Temple
Hanthana Mountains
Elephant Orphanage

Travel In Sri Lanka - Negombo

Negombo was once a trading port for Portuguese and Dutch and is an ideal place for the tourists who need to access the airport. This city is also called a “ little Rome” because of its beautiful collection of Churches and Forts some of which date back to 17th century. Because the beaches here are quite and peaceful and less crowded, so if you want the beach completely to yourself then this is an ideal place for you. There are also many shops in Negombo from where tourists can buy handicrafts, gems, Spices, and souvenirs to take home.
Fact File
Country : Sri LankaPopulation : 140000 Languages : Sinhala, Tamil and EnglishClimate : The temperature in Negombo remains at an average of 29-30 degree celcius. Its hot and sticky here, the humidity being around 75%, while during the monsoons the temperature falls, so carry thick layers of woollens along. The climate being tropical people here usually wear light cotton clothes however skimpy dresses are not allowed inside the religious places.Official Currency : Sri Lankan Rupee(LKR) ; 1 LKR = 0.4358 INR = 0.01001 USD = 0.008285 Euro (subject to change).Location : Negombo which is located on the west coast of Sri Lanka is 29km to the north of Colombo which is the capital of Sri Lanka. With all its wide beaches and plenty of seafood this is a gourmet's delight.

Book a tour to Negombo

Getting There
Its easy to reach Negombo since the Bandernaike international airport (Colombo) is just 12km away from the bustling town of Negombo.

Getting Around
Negombo has a reasonably good network of public transport, in the form of buses and trains that link the city to the suburbs. Train fares are slightly lower than bus fares, but getting a bus is infinitely easier than trying to catch a train, so it works out about the same. Negombo railway station is an railway station in the city.
Other than buses and trains, taxis and three-wheelers also can be hired, though obviously these are more expensive; meters are often not used, and it’s best to do the negotiating and settle on a mutually acceptable price before you start the trip.

Accommodation
The city has number of decent hotes to ensure a convinient stay for the visitors. Mentioned below is the list of hotels in the city:4 star hotel accomodations
Airport Garden hotel
The Tamrind Tree hotel
Club Plam Bay hotel 3 star hotel accomodations
Hotel Goodwood Plaza
Orient Pearl hotel
Browns Beach hotel
Blue Oceanic Beach hotel 2 star hotel accomodations
Catamaran Beach Hotel
Sea Garden hotel
Silvia's Beach hotel
Sun Flower Beach hotel

Major Tourist Attractions
Beaches : The beaches in Negombo are soft sandy, quite and peaceful. For those interested in water sports like diving, wind surfing, etc. can obtain the equipments easily from hotels and private vendors. Those who want to indulge in mouth watering seafood can try the restaurants at the beach.
Churches : There are abundance of churches here marking the influence of the Portuguese like St. Mary's church for example has statues of saints and the beautifully painted ceiling is quite breathtaking.
Dutch Fort : Dates back to 1672, is close to the sea and is in ruins now which can be explored to the curiosity of the tourists. This fort initially belonged to the Portuguese and was then taken over by the dutch who used it as a jail.
Other Attractions :
Sri Muthu Mari Amman
Negombo Lagoon
Negombo Beach Shopping
Muthurajawela Marsh