Srilanka Travel Best Destinations

NUWARA ELIYA

Blessed with a salubrious climate, breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, mountains and greenery; it's hard to imagine that Nuwara Eliya is only 180 Km from the hot and humid Colombo. Nuwara Eliya (City of Lights), also known as 'Little' England', was the favorite hill station of the British who tried to create Nuwara Eliya into a typical English Village. The old brick Post office, country house like hill club, with it's hunting pictures, mounted hunting trophies and fish, and it's strict formal dinner attire; the 18 hole golf course, race course etc., all remind you of 'England'.
NUWARA ELIYA means ‘City of Lights’ in Sinhalese even though one might wonder where the name came from considering the light generated is nothing out of the ordinary. It is an old town located in the central highlands at 6,128 feet with a picturesque landscape and a cool climate year round. The town is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in the island. It is considered the most important place for tea production in Sri Lanka where some of the finest tea in the world is produced. Also, better known as ‘Little England’, during the colonial days, the British used this as a place of retreat where the English would come for Fox hunting, Deer hunting, Elephant hunting, Polo, Golf & Cricket. Many of the buildings still retain the features from the colonial period including the Queen’s Cottage, The General’s House, The Grand Hotel, Hill Club, The town’s Post Office …etc. Many private homes and bungalows still retain their English style lawns and gardens. The town becomes a hype of activity for the locals during the months of April and August when the school vacations are on as families flock by the thousands with little chance of finding accommodation. Even the local residences convert their houses into temporary guest’s houses making easy money during the short season. Motor races, Horse Racing, Governor’s Cup Golf Tournament, Best gardens ….are a few of the many events held. The town’s attractions include the Gold Club, Trout Streams, Vitoria Park, boating and fishing on Lake Gregory. The Victoria Park is also famous for Bird watching. The town is also a base for visits to Horton Plains National Park. This is a key wild life area of open grassy woodland. Species found include Leopard, Samba and the endemic purple faced Langur. One of the distinctive features of the city is the widespread growing of vegetables, fruits and flowers which is associated with temperatures in Europe.

JAFFNA

The Palmyra tree comes to mind when thinking of Jaffna peninsula as it grows in beautiful abundance. Jaffna city is a peninsula and made of limestone as it was submerged under sea during the Miocene period. Jaffna features a tropical rainforest climate with no true dry season month. Jaffna has the highest average temperature in Sri Lanka - 83°F (28°C). The temperature is highest in the months of April - May and August – September. The temperature is coolest in December – January. It is the capital city of the northern province. After the Tamil conference incident in 1974, the then mayor of Jaffna Alfred Duraiappah was assassinated by the leader of rebel LTTE, Velupillai Prabhakaran in 1975. Following further deterioration of political discourse, the Jaffna library was burnt down in 1981 by Police and other miscreants. Failure of the political class to find an adequate compromise led to full scale civil war starting in 1983 soon after the Black July pogrom. The city has number of commercial institutions, minor industrial units, banks, hotels and other government institutions such as the hospital. In 1986, the Sri Lankan military withdrew from the city and it came under the full control of the LTTE. In 1987, the Indian forces brought to Sri Lanka under the auspicious Indo- Sri Lankan peace accord led an operation to take the city from the rebels. It led to incidents like the Jaffna university hellidrop and Jaffna hospital massacre in which patients and medical workers were killed by the Indian Army. More than 200 civilians were also killed during attempt to take the city over by the IPKF. After the departure of the Indians, the city came under the control LTTE once more, but were ousted in 1995 after a 50 day siege. The economic embargo of the rebel controlled territories in general also had a negative impact in Jaffna including lack of power, critical medicines and food. During the period of LTTE occupation, all Muslim residents were expelled in 1990 and forced evacuated all residents in 1995. Since the end of civil war in 2009, refugees have begun to return and visible reconstruction has taken place. The city is anchored by the Jaffna fort rebuilt during the Dutch colonial period. A lot of educational institutions established during the colonial period and post-colonial period exists to this date. Majority of the population is Sri Lankan Tamil, although there was a significant number of Sri Lankan Moors, Indian Tamils and other ethnic groups present in the city prior to the civil war. Most Sri Lankan Tamils are Hindus followed by Christians, Muslims and a small Buddhist minority. This city which has experienced terrorism first hand for decades is now finally enjoying peace. The north and south have finally been linked. We advise all tourists traveling to this region to be respectful and mindful of the customs practiced. The Nallur temple, Casuarina Beach, The hot springs, The Jaffna library, are a few of the attractions to see.

HABARANA

HABARANA is a popular tourists destination famous for safari lovers as it is a starting point for safari’s in the Habarana and Minneriya sanctuaries which is heavily populated with wild elephants. The travelers travelling this road by night are most often assured of wild elephant sightings on the main road where they cross from 01 jungle to the other. Being close to the cultural triangle, it is also nearby to the ancient rock fortress and castle/palace situated in Sigiriya which is considered the 8th Wonder of the World. The city and the area are also popular for its Five Star hotels which have won several International awards. The population of the city is expected to be around 5,000 – 10,000 people but becomes a buzzing city with a full house during International Cricket matches due the ‘Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium’. The town is also the gateway to the famous Trincomalee beaches.

ELLA

ELLA is a beautiful small village in Sri Lanka's hill country with little more than a handful of shops, hotels and guesthouses, but it has an almost perfect climate and occupies a very scenic vantage point, with views on a fine day stretching right across the South Coast of Sri Lanka. "The view through the Ella gap was probably the best in the entire island. It was quite early and the isolated hills on the plain popped up like little islands in the mist." As if views weren't enough, Ella is surrounded by hills perfect for walks through tea plantations to temples and waterfalls.

DICKWELLA

Traveling 181 km south of Colombo on the coastal belt, you will come across the small town of Dickwella just past the ‘Dondra Point’ in Matara (the Southernmost point of Sri Lanka). This is a popular tourist destination due to a calm and friendly bay which is situated on one side and ideal for swimming, snorkeling, fishing …etc. It is also the location of Sri Lanka’s largest seated ‘Buddha Statute’ (160 feet).

COLOMBO

COLOMBO is a modern city which blends the beauty of the old world charm and modern day development. The busy Bazaar, Fort & Pettah area, Old Dutch church, Kovil, Temple in Gangaramaya, Town Hall, Independence square and other areas in Colombo could be explored whilst on tour apart from the bargain shopping at popular stores.
COLOMBO Located in the western coast of Sri Lanka, it is very close to the capital Sri Jayawardanapura and most often mistaken as the capital city. It is the largest city in Si Lanka and vibrant with a mixture of modern life, colonial buildings and ruins. It has been a popular city for over 2,500 years due to its large harbor which is strategically located in the eastern – western sea route which was used by ancient traders. The city is home to majority of the Corporate offices, fancy restaurants, entertainment venues and shopping complexes.

BALAPITIYA

Enjoy a boat trip in Balapitiya exploring the surrounding where you could witness the beauty and calmness of the varied flora, fauna, bird life, Water Monitors and the scenic little freshwater islands within the system of inland waters of the Madhu Ganga. A visit to an island where the locals process Cinnamon would also be a highlight of the trip.

AMBALANGODA

AMBALANGODA is most well-known for mask making and as a centre for south coast traditional dancing. Masks are created for three different types of dancing rituals: kolam, which tell satirical stories of traditional Sri Lankan colonial life, sanni, or devil dancing masks, used in a type of exorcism ceremony to heal people of persisting illnesses believed inflicted by demons, and raksha masks, which are used in festivals and processions. Ambalangoda is also known for hand-woven cotton, finely carved wooden doors, and screens and lintels.