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SRI LANKA  ii. Heritage - 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites : Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Dambulla Cave Temple, ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, Kandy (Temple of the Tooth Relic), Galle Dutch Fort and Sinharaja Forest. iii. Wildlife – from baby elephants at Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage to the large herds at Minneriya. Yala National Park boasts a range of animals including : the highest density of leopards in the world, elephants, bears, and crocodiles, as well as a wide variety of indigenous and migratory birdlife. Over 33 endemic species of birds / 15 butterfly, iv. Nature – Sri Lanka’s natural environment is breathtaking and features the largest density of waterfalls in the world, as well as the contrasting picturesque landscapes of the hill country and the costal resorts. Within 5 hours of the beach resort of Negombo are waterfalls & mountain peaks reaching over 2,000 metres. 15% of the island is protected wildlife reserves. v. Festivals & Culture – Kandy’s Esala Perahera is an important festival to the Sri Lankan people and a spectacle every traveler should try and see. Sri Lanka celebrates its four main religions : Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. There are many festivals throughout the year. Please visit www.srilankatourism.org.uk for the dates of all the festivals and also see vi. Adventure – White water rafting, hot air ballooning, trekking through the hill country or cycling on exotic trails are all possible in Sri Lanka. Added to this are watersports, reef diving and great surfing in Arugam Bay where the British Professional Surfers Associations’ annual competition is held around June every year. vii. Ease of travel to attractions – since Sri Lanka is a relatively small island (about 25,000 sq miles), it is possible to have a short holiday (e.g. ten days) and still take in most, if not all of the sights. viii. Shopping – handmade jewellery and other handicrafts, such as wooden masks and elephants are available. Locally mined gems and home-grown spices are also readily available. UK brands of clothing can also be found at a fraction of the price. ix. Beaches – the South West coastline has unspoilt and uncrowded beaches as well as standard, luxury boutique hotels. x. A value for money holiday experience.  The Magnificent Seven 5 Centuries before Jesus Christ, Sri Lanka was a land thriving with vitality and a highly advanced civilisation. Cities, palaces, reservoirs, parks, monasteries, temples and works of art, all bear testament to the skills of the civilisations of the past. Anuradhapura  4 hours from Colombo 2 hours from Dambulla By the middle of the 3rd century BC the fame of the island’s first capital had spread to the distant lands of the Mediterranean. The ancient city was said to be a model of planning featuring hostels, hospitals and unmatched irrigation systems. In 247 BC Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka where it made a home and has been accepted as the majority religion since. Anuradhapura was to continue to be the national capital for over 1300 years, up to 10th century AD when repeated invasion by Indians and a struggle for royal succession resulted in the capital being withdrawn to Polonnaruwa. Today the monuments of the city’s heyday survive for you to visit, surrounded by tress and ancient parkland. One of the best known attractions is the 2,000 year old Bo Tree, which started off as a sampling from the tree under which the Lord Buddha himself attained enlightenment. A visit to the near by Mihintale, an important temple for Buddhist is also worth a visit. Auvkana is close by, where a tall statue of the Lord Buddha is carved from a rock. A replica of which can be seen in Colombo opposite the convention centre – BMICH. Polonnaruwa  5 hours from Colombo 2 hours from Dambulla The second capital after Anuradhapura, the city was fortified by three concentric walls. Within lay parks and gardens of rare beauty as well as shrines and other sacred places. A visit there demands a viewing of: The King’s Council chamber The rock cut Lotus Bath The Statue of Parakrama Bahu (one of the former kings) Rock-cut sculptures of Gal Vihare (Temple) Polonnaruwa also boasts one of the most modern and well displayed museums in South Asia. Polonaruwa is a must stop on any itinerary. Sigiriya Rock Fortress  3 ½ hours from Colombo 30 minutes from Dambulla This outstanding sight was a royal citadel for more than 18 years for a 5th century king who wanted to create an impenetrable fortress. The famous heavenly maiden fresoces can be seen after ascending a spiral staircase on the journey to the top of the rock. The UNESCO – sponsored Central Cultural Fund has restored Sigiriya’s Water Gardens to its former glory which can be viewed upon reaching the summit; the site of the ancient palace. Dambulla Cave Temple  3 hours from Colombo Dambulla, the geographical centre of the island, is a vast isoloated rock, which houses a rock temple inside 5 caves. Inside are beautiful fresoces dating back some 2,000 years as well as a statue of a recumbent Budhha statue carved out of rock measuring and impressive 14 metres. Kandy - Temple of the Tooth Relic  3 hours from Colombo 2 hours from Dambulla Kandy was the last royal capital before the British fully occupied the country and is referred to as the Royal City in the Hill Country. Dalada Maligawa (temple of the tooth), is a national treasure that is located in Kandy. It is a temple where a Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha is kept. Every year the Tooth Relic is paraded around Kandy in Sri Lanka’s most popular festival, the Esala Perahera. The pageant is truly awesome, as Kandyan dancers, drummers and elephants adorned with jewels and masks parade the streets, to a huge audience of Sri Lankan and travellers who have been lucky enough to be in the country at the right time. The festival dates change each year according to the position of the moon, but is generally during the first ten days in August. The dates are out from January and then confirmed in May. Visit www.srilankatourism.org.uk Galle Fort  3 hours from Colombo Built by the Dutch this 90 acre walled city has protected the old Ceylon charm of the area like no other area of Sri Lanka for over four centuries. This attraction also has the particular distinction of being one of the few living World Heritage Sites. Join many Sri Lankan in the evening to watch the sun set across the Indian Ocean. Galle Fort is fast becoming a popular place to buy a house, and many of these houses have been converted into chic boutique hotels. James Fennel’s book “Living in Sri Lanka” (Thames & Hudson Publishing) will give you a feel for some of these houses. The Galle Cricket stadium is just in front of the Fort and many Sri Lankans sit on the Forts ramparts to watch the match. Sinharaja Rain Forest  3 hours from Colombo 1 ½ hours from Kalutara The seventh jewel in Sri Lanka’s heritage crown owes nothing to man and everything to nature. A bio-diversity hotspot, with its own unique eco-system consisting of protected birds, flora and fauna. A sight that has to be viewed on the ground since the written word cannot do it justice. Sinharaja is has many endemic birds, dragon flies, mushrooms and frogs. Sports Sri Lanka is becoming a very popular sports destination. Tourism and Sports and given high priority and many international events are being added to our domestic schedule. The South Asian Games have been held in Sri Lanka, as have Davies Cup Tennis, Triatholons and Marathons, and Sri Lanka will play co-host for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. The infrastructure is already in place. Why not have your next sporting adventure in Sri Lanka ? Cricket “is” a religion in Sri Lanka. It was introduced to the country by the British during the imperial rule in 1832, but it would be sometime before the pupils surpassed their masters, but when they did it was to be on the grandest stage of all. Sri Lanka’s victory in Lahore to be crowned World Cup winners in 1996, took the popularity of the sport to a different level. The national teams’ stars are heroes, with adults and children trying to emulate their prowess on every available strip of land. Of course when the team are in action the country comes to a virtual standstill as their progress is monitored from homes, workplaces and even shopping malls. Not even public quoted company board rooms are safe. In recent years Sri Lanka has established itself as a perfect destination for school and club tours. The local teams are highly competitive, but maintain their customary hospitality towards their opposition. In the last few years there have been well over many teams playing and touring Sri Lanka, and spouses, families and spectators join as there is so much to see and do. Some years have seen up to 30 teams visiting. The English cricket team will be touring in 2007, as will many other teams in the near future. Sri Lanka will play host to the Cricket World Cup in 2011. Visit : www.srilankacricket.lk Golf Sri Lanka boasts a growing golfing industry. Sri Lankan golfers are slowly making their mark in the international circuit and new golf courses are being developed to cater to the increasing domestic and international demand. The main cities of Colombo, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya have a course ( in the case of Colombo, the second is almost completed – and is already open). These three cities offer such a variety of activities, excursions and 19th hole facilities, that golfers and their spouses never seem to get enough. Helicopter and sea plane transfers make the journey between each course a mere 30 minutes instead of 3-4 hours. During a classical tour of the country ( see page .. for a sample itinerary), you visit all three of these cities. Don’t think that playing against Sri Lankan will be a walk in the park, some players are getting some good international exposure as golf is increasingly becoming a serious sport in Sri Lanka. Contact : golfsrilanka@lanka.ccom.lk , Tel : 0094 112 667771 Office Times : 9.30 – 5.30pm Colombo Royal Colombo Golf Club (www.rcgcsl.com or www.royalcolombogolf.lk ) is the oldest at 125 years and the second oldest Royal Golf Club in Asia. The tournament started in 1891, and hence is the second longest run in the world. Situated just fifteen minutes drive from the heart of the commercial capital Colombo and most of the hotels. This means that great shopping, city tours, and restaurants are close by. (see page …for more information on Colombo) At 6560 yards this par 71 course intertwines between housing estates of various shapes and sizes, cattle grazing grounds and a unique railway track that can take both narrow and wide gauge trains powered by both modern engines as well as the original coal fired steam engines. A separately accessible practice range with 20 slots, is open from 6.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. daily except Mondays. Current rate is GBP 4 approximately per day per person. Range Balls are GBP 2 approximately per 100 balls. All the facilities offered in a modern clubhouse are available in a captivating mix of old world charm and contemporary style. From an open bar and restaurant next to a spacious golfers lounge to air conditioned fine dining restaurant and wine bar the members and visitors are treated to a reasonable variety of fare at better than reasonable prices. For more details / reservations contact: – Tel: +94 (0)11 2695431/2675952/2691401/4403685 – Fax: +94 (0)11 2687592 – E-mail: info@royalcolombogolf.lk Waters Edge (www.watersedge.lk) is the new course in Colombo, and is in close proximity to the Royal Colombo course. Facilities include accommodation. Kandy Victoria Golf and Country Resort (www.victoriagolf.lk) is set on the edge of one of our largest dams, the Victoria Dam. It can be reached by flying in and landing on the dam itself using a SriLankan Air Taxi (www.srilankan.aero). Golfers stay on site or in Kandy - one of Sri Lanka’s seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. Kandy offers an array of activity and excursions including the Temple of the Tooth Relic, meditation centres, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and close by excursions to Sigiriya, Dambulla and Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. . (see page …for more information on Kandy) The Victoria Golf course is situated approximately 30 minutes drive from Kandy, which lies between Colombo and Nuwara Eliya. Surrounded by the Victoria reservoir and guarded jealously by the Knuckles Range of mountains, the resort has already made its mark internationally being rated by Golf Digest as amongst the top 100 most beautiful golf courses in the world and more recently as the best golf course in South Asia. Built to USGA standards, this undulating 6945 yard par 73 course was designed by an internationally reputed golf architect Donald Steel, who still maintains that Victoria is the best of his works despite having been involved in golf course projects in many of the most exotic destinations in the world. Words and pictures just cannot do justice to describe the “Wow” one feels when entering the premises. The first time golfing visitor would do well to study the course strategy for each hole prior to playing it. There is a different challenge for the better players who are willing to take greater risks for greater rewards, while at the same time the rewards are sweet even for the no risk average golfer. However, complacency is punished, so be on your guard at all times. Victoria also boasts of one of the most spectacular driving ranges which challenge the long hitter to reach the waters of the lake below. Although it is 500 metres above sea level, temperatures at Victoria have a wide range from extremely hot at mid-day to cool at night. The clubhouse has all the basic facilities required for golfers from changing rooms, golf shop, club hire, caddies - male and female, licensed restaurant and bar. A 20 meter length swimming pool and tennis court are recent additions at the resort Nuwara Eliya Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (www.negolf.lk) is also over 100 years of age and this golf course is situated over 2,000 metres above sea level and dominates the holiday town of Nuwara Eliya. Although this course is a 6100 yard, par 70, the narrow fairways and thick rough in between the sky-scraper trees and prickly gauze bushes, make this a daunting challenge for those who stray from the straight and narrow. Except during the holiday season around April / May when many of the Colombo golfers get away from the heat and humidity to the crispy cool atmosphere of Nuwara Eliya, visitors can quite often, play with out advance booking. Look out for the Sri Lankan Airlines Golf Classic – visit www.srilankangolf.com Land Sports Other popular sports include – tennis, table tennis, netball, basketball, volleyball, football, rugby football, mountain biking, marathons, athletics and swimming. Sri Lanka also organizes a marathon www.srilankamarathon.org Water Sports The water is being used more and more as Sri Lanka establishes itself in the water sports arena. Swimming is very popular with Olympic entries in recent years, as is board diving. Rivers and the sea are being use more and more for snorkelling, water skiing, jet skiing, banana boat rides. Para sailing and kite surfing are also increasing in popularity. Surfing Surfing is becoming very popular in Sri Lanka. With two monsoons (South West – May/June, and North East – October/November) there is surfing all year round. The most popular areas are at Hikkaduwa and Arugam Bay. The Annual British Pro Surfing Association organizes an annual competition in June. E-mail info@srilanka : visit : www.srilankan.aero Diving & Snorkelling The monsoons also provide Sri Lanka with year round diving. The East coast in particular, off Trincomalee, has many ship wrecks, while the South East (the Great and Little Basses) off the Yala National Park have coral reef and varied marine life. There are also many spots along the South West coast. Visit : www.divesrilanka.com or www.divingsrilanka.com Visit www.srilankatourism.org.uk for information on future sporting events – see Events, or e-mail info@srilankatourism.org.uk Healthy Living – Stay Healthy or Find a Cure  Ayuverda (pronounced ae-ur-vay-dah) is the Sri Lankan alternative to Western medicines; a natural approach with over 3,000 years proven benefits of care and cure. Based around the philosophy that each individual’s growth from birth is governed by 5 forces of nature – Water, Fire, Air, Earth and Ether, treatment comprises of oil massages, steam baths and potions made from natural ingredients. Locals visit community practitioners, but tourists can sample ayuverdic treatment from government-licensed practitioners in holiday resorts. You have the option of relaxation / preventative or curative treatments. The latter is very popular, with customers spending up to two weeks in treatment and this is often mixed with yoga and meditation. Come experience ayurveda, you may find your inner self. Meditation and Yoga Whilst in Sri Lanka, take time to switch off from the busy world that you are escaping from and try some meditation or yoga. Sri Lanka has perfected the way of finding and maintaining a work life balance. Meditation and Yoga plays a big role, and many travellers learn these skills in Sri Lanka. Many Buddhist temples offer meditation classes. International and Local Spa’s Many people around the world have discovered the pleasure inherent in spa breaks. In addition to its therapeutic effects, it is also a great way to simply relax and allow oneself to be bathed in luxury. Sri Lanka has responded to this market demand and has many quality spa’s where even the most discerning spa customer will enjoy first class facilities. New tea spa’s are also being developed. Modern medical treatment – don’t wait for the NHS With many Sri Lankan doctors who have practiced in the UK and other countries returning home, and with partnerships with India’s leading hospitals on the rise, Sri Lanka is fast becoming a medical centre for the region. What a great way to skip the NHS waiting list and recover in the warm climate. The cost will be a fraction of the cost with an average operation (including doctors fees and medicines) and one week in a private room (4 star hotel equivalent with nursing care and meals) to recover for GBP 750 to GBP 1,000. Food and Drink - picture Sri Lankan curry is a perfect balanced meal. Make sure you learn how to make a few curries, and take back the ingredients with you. Your hotel Chef will be only too pleased to help out.  There are a variety of herbal teas made from roots and spices which can help you digest your food and even fight off the common cold. Stop at a super market and pick up some of these wonderful drinks to take back with you. Matale, between the cultural triangle and Kandy, is an area well known for many of these spices. Visit a spice garden if you are driving through.  
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