Must See

Colombo

The commercial capital of Sri Lanka blends Western culture with its own traditions and heritage. Fort, so called because it was a military garrison during the Dutch and Portuguese occupation, houses the presidential palace and the majority of Colombo's five star hotels. Pettah, the commercial hub, is home to a bustling bazaar with much to offer the traveller. Visits to the many Buddhist or Hindu temples are inspiring. Fantastic flowering trees are on display at Vihara Maha Devi Park, and are best viewed in March, April and early May.

Galle

Located 116 km from Colombo, Galle is famous for its old Dutch fort, and is also a centre for ebony-carving, lace-making and gem-polishing. It is also home to a cricket ground, the Galle International Stadium, where test matches are played.

Kandy

Kandy, a picturesque, naturally fortified town, 115 km from Colombo, was the capital of the Hill Country and the last stronghold of the Kandyan Kings who thwarted foreign conquest until 1815. It is now a cultural sanctuary where age-old customs, rituals, arts, crafts and ways of life are well preserved. It's a jumble of old shops and busy markets, and the beautiful lake in the centre, fringed by rolling hills, is the setting for important temples. The Sri Dalada Maligawa (The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic) is built within the royal palace complex which houses the only surviving relic of Buddha, a tooth, which is venerated by Buddhists. The Hill Country around Kandy has excellent walks, colonial bungalows, tea factories and train rides through beautiful landscapes.

Kandy hosts an annual festival known as the Esala Perahera, in which one of the inner caskets used for covering the tooth relic of Buddha is taken in a grand procession through the streets of the city. The procession includes traditional dancers and drummers, the Nilames (lay custodians of temples ) wearing their traditional dresses, flag bearers of the provinces of the old Kandyan kingdom, torch bearers and also the grandly attired elephant. This ceremony is held annually in the months of July or August and attracts large crowds from all parts of the country, along with foreign tourists.

Negombo

Negombo is located approximately 30 km north of Colombo, at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, about 10 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport. Positioned on a strand separating the sea from a lagoon, it is Sri Lanka's oldest and best-known fishing village, and the seafood here, particularly the shellfish, is a speciality.

Beaches

There are 1,000 miles of fine beaches around the island, along with colourful coral reefs and warm, pure seas. The best time to visit Sri Lanka's southern beaches is from November to April.

• Arugam Bay, 314 km from Colombo and just 3 km from Potuvil, has a beautiful bay and good surfing. Yachting and waterskiing are also available.
• Batticaloa, 312 km from Colombo, is famous for its old Dutch fort and 'singing fish'.
• Bentota, 64 km from Colombo, is a pleasant resort destination, between the river and the sea. It has an interesting diving spot where multi-hued fish can be observed among countless reef-dwellers.
• Beruwela, 56 km from Colombo, has excellent bathing in the bay all year round.
• Hikkaduwa, 98 km from Colombo, is a beautiful beach and coral reef. This beautiful and colourful marine area is regarded as a haven for watersports enthusiasts, surfers and snorkellers.
• Kalkudah, 32 km from Batticaloa, is ideal for bathing as the sea is clear, calm and reef-protected.
• Mount Lavinia, 12 km from Colombo, is a good beach resort close to the capital and the domestic airport.
• Passekudah, close to Kaludah, has a fine bay, clear waters and safe swimming.
• Tangale, 195 km from Colombo, is a beautiful bay with safe swimming all year round. The wide sandy expanse and safe sea attracts a multitude of sun-seeking visitors.
• Trincomalee, 257 km from Colombo, is the ideal refuge for the beach addict. It boasts excellent beaches and one of the finest natural harbours in the world. There are many tempting underwater shipwrecks to explore for the intrepid diver. All watersports, including fishing, are available here.
• Unawatuna in Galle is a beach area acclaimed as being among the top 15 beaches in the world, with safe waters within a picturesque setting.

Temples

Sri Lanka is replete with spectacular-looking sites of worship. There are numerous Buddhist temples scattered around Sri Lanka; these include:

• Dipaduttaramaya at Kotahena, (5 km from Fort)
• Gotami Vihare at Borella, (7 km from Fort)
• Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya, (10 km from Fort)
• Vajiraramaya at Bambalapitiya, (6 km from Fort)

There are also some Hindu temples (Kovils) to explore, including

• Aiyanar Kovil, Neduntheevu West, Neduntheevu
• Kanthasamy Kovil, Neduntheevu
• Maviddapuram Kanthasamy Kovil
• Nallur Kanthaswamy Kovil
• Neluvini Pillaiyar Kovil, Neduntheevu
• Saraswathi Kovil in Kalaimagal Veethi, Ariyalai, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
• Thellipalai Amman Kovil

Wildlife

Blessed with an abundance of flora and fauna, the island's parks are the place to see its unique species. West (Ruhuna) National Park is good for spotting elephant and sambar deer, while Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a magnificent rainforest preserve.

Sri Lanka is well known for its elephants, sizeable numbers of which can be seen in Udawalawe and Gal Oya National Parks and at Handapangala. Other mammals include leopards, wild boar, deer, porcupines, bears and monkeys, especially the Grey Langur which is common throughout the island. The native purple-faced Leaf Monkey is to be found in the higher hill regions.

Of the 38 species of amphibian, 16 are unique to the island. There are five species of turtle, two species of native crocodiles, the star tortoise and many snakes. The island's flora varies greatly, ranging from to lush hills arid scrubland and plains and from tropical to temperate forests. There are tropical rainforests as well as rhododendron forests. Flowering trees and orchids can be seen in season.