Sri Lanka: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean

As the fanfare of the festive season has died down,between 12-14 April, to ensure good fortune in the
it is easy to feel the need to get away from thecoming year. Amongst the traditional rituals
cold British winter and experience some sun. For aundertaken, houses are spring cleaned, new clothes
luxury holiday offering the requisite sunrays as well asworn and newly harvested rice cooked in milk in new
excellent cuisine, views and different festivalspots. Traditional games and music are enjoyed, and
throughout the year, look no further than Sri Lanka.passing visitors are invariably invited to join in the
Sri Lanka, officially known as the Democratic Socialistcelebrations. These are merely some of the many
Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island nation in South Asia,festivals held throughout the year, with further
located about 19 miles off the southern coast ofinformation being available from the Sri Lanka Tourist
India. With a population of around 20 million, theBoard.
country is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic, with nearlyApart from the festivals themselves, Sri Lanka can
a third of the population following faiths other thanoffer travellers the sights belying its rich heritage,
Buddhism, most notably Christianity, Hinduism andsuch as the Temple of the Tooth, situated in the
Islam. This multiculturalism can in part be attributed tocentral city of Kandy, included in the UNESCO World
the different rules of Sri Lanka, including colonisationHeritage List. It houses a tooth that came from the
by Portugal, the Netherlands and finally Great Britain.mouth of Lord Buddha, and is as a result considered
After peaceful negotiations with the British, the islandone of Sri Lanka's most holy shrines. Kandy is also
nation became independent in 1948, and in 1972, thehome to the Pinawela Elephant Orphanage, a national
nation, then-known as Ceylon, changed its name tosanctuary for about 70 semi-tame elephants, allowed
Sri Lanka, meaning "Resplendent Land".to roam freely around the orphanage, with bathing
As a result of the multi-religious background, Sriand feeding times being highlights for tourists. Other
Lanka is renowned for its many religious festivals. Sricities popular with tourists include Anuradhapura and
Lanka offers at least one festival each month asPolonnaruwa.
Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and Muslims celebrateIn addition, the cuisine is considered some of the
both religious and national occasions. This month, forfinest in the region. In general the food is excellent
example, the full-moon festival of Dututhuvalue, with the most expensive tourist-oriented
commemorates the visit of Lord Buddha to Kelankya,places rarely charging over the equivalent of US$20
the temple of Kelania. The Hindu communityfor a meal. The staple Sri Lankan diet consists of rice
meanwhile celebrates the harvest festival of Thaiand curry. A must-try dish is Kottu Roti; a medley of
Pongal, where homes are cleaned and decorated,chopped roti (bread), vegetables and your choice of
farm animals bathed and sometimes adorned, andmeat, a uniquely Sri Lankan dish and best served
special dishes prepared. The sizeable Muslimwhen made fresh by street vendors. Please note
community celebrate the end of the fasting monththat while Sri Lankans eat with their right hands,
of Ramadan, roughly every 11 months, with prayerscutlery is available at all eateries.
in mosques, distribution of alms, family-orientedSo why not book a holiday in Sri Lanka and see for
celebrations and the enjoyment of traditional dishes.yourself why it is referred to as the Pearl of the
In addition, there are several national holidays, suchIndian Ocean?
as the Sri Lankan New Year, celebrated every year