Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: a timeless paradise cherished by travelers worldwide.
Sri Lanka, an island nation southeast of India and famously called the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” has a unique allure that has captivated travelers for centuries.”
Once known as “Ceylon,” the island sat at a crossroads of the historic Silk Road, connecting East and West, and it boasts a remarkable blend of cultural heritage and lush tropical beauty. Since ancient times, visitors have been enchanted by Sri Lanka’s landscapes and culture. The famous 13th-century explorer Marco Polo admired it deeply, calling it “the most beautiful island on earth” and describing it as a true paradise. In recent times, Sri Lanka’s appeal endures; the New York Times even named it the “Number 1 country to visit in 2010,” solidifying its status as a top destination worldwide.
One of Sri Lanka’s greatest attractions lies in its diversity. Despite occupying just 80% of Hokkaido’s area, the island offers an abundance of experiences. It’s like a layered feast of Japanese New Year’s dishes—each bite reveals a new taste. With eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exhilarating wildlife safaris, stunning beach resorts, Ayurveda wellness practices, trekking paths, unique cuisine, shopping, and the warmth of its people, Sri Lanka has something for every traveler. Come and immerse yourself in the charms of this remarkable island!
Sri Lanka is an island nation filled with many attractions. That’s why the key to enjoying Sri Lanka to the fullest is to travel to a place that matches your interests and goals. Why not arrange a general package tour plan and choose or add only the places that interest you, and make a plan in your own style that is efficient and uses your limited and precious “out of the ordinary” time? Please let us know about your travel style.
Take a memorable photo in traditional ethnic attire!
When it comes to the destination of your once in a lifetime honeymoon, couples have different preferences, such as “relaxing on the beach,” “enjoying sightseeing at world heritage sites,” “seeing the spectacular scenery of nature such as safaris,” and “enjoying shopping.” The country that can fulfill all of these couples’ wishes is “Sri Lanka,” a small island nation that offers a variety of things to do. Also, while group tour packages are the norm in the West, Sri Lanka is popular because you can enjoy “private tours” without sharing them with other customers, at a more affordable price than other countries. Why not plan a “honeymoon” that you can enjoy at your own pace and with a plan that satisfies each of you, so that it will be the best memory of your life?
Furthermore, why not try on the national dress, the Sri Lankan sari, to enhance your exotic mood? Lion Royal Hotel in Sigiriya offers a set plan that includes rental costumes, hair and makeup, a photo shoot by a professional photographer, an album, and a DVD. A commemorative photo taken in front of the World Heritage Site, Sigiriya Rock, will be a lifelong treasure for the two of you. We also offer photo plans in wedding saris at hotels near the airport, so why not consider this as a new option for your honeymoon.
Geography and Climate | |
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Position |
Latitude: N6.55 Longitude: E79.51 South-east India, 880 km north of the equator |
Terrain |
The northern part of the island is flat, while the central and southern part is lined with mountains such as Mt. Piduratalagala (2,524m). There are coral reefs around the island, and a sandbar called Adam's Bridge connects it to India. |
Coastline | 1,340km |
Area |
Local cities: 9 Administrative areas: 25 |
Climate |
Lowlands: Tropical climate with an average temperature of 27°C throughout the year. Hilly areas: Temperature can drop to 14°C. May to July Southwest monsoon: Brings rain to the western and central regions. December to January Northeast monsoon: Brings rain to the eastern regions. |
Politics, justice, and military | |
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Constitution | Adopted on August 16, 1978, and approved on August 3, 1978 |
President | Anura Kumara Dissanayake |
Legislative (Parliamentary) | Unicameral: 225 members |
Judiciary | Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Subordinate Court |
Political parties | The two major political parties are the United National Party and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. In areas where the minority Tamil people live, there are ethnic parties. |
Right to vote | 18 years or older |
Military | Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force |
military service | Voluntary military service from age 18 |
Citizens | |
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Life expectancy | 64 years old (male), 74 years old (female) |
Literacy rate | 91.8% |
Ethnicity | Sinhalese 73.8%, Sri Lankan Moor 7.2%, Indian Tamil 4.6%, Sri Lankan Tamil 3.9%, other 0.5%, unspecified 10% (2001) |
Religion | Buddhism 70%, Hinduism 16%, Christianity 7%, Islam 7% |
Economy and Industry | |
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Annual growth rate | 6.7% (2007) |
Working population | 7.67 million (2007) Agriculture: 34.3% Industry: 25.3% Services: 40.4% (estimated as of June 30, 2006) |
Unemployment rate | 6.3% (2007) |
GNP | US$870 |
Industry | Clothing, textiles, cement, oil refining, communications, insurance, banking, processing of rubber, tea, coconut, tobacco and other agricultural products. |
Agriculture | Beef, eggs, milk, cereals, rice, sugarcane, spices, tea, pulses, oilseeds, rubber, coconut, fish |
Natural Resources | Limestone, graphite, mineral sand, gemstones, phosphates, clay, hydropower |
Traffic | Details |
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Railway | Total: 1,449 km |
Road |
Total: 97,287 km Paved: 78,802 km Unpaved: 18,485 km (2003) |
Waterway | 160 km (mainly on rivers in the southwest) (2006) |
Others | Details |
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Environmental Issues | Deforestation, soil erosion, wildlife threatened by poaching and urbanization, coastal degradation and increased pollution due to mining activities, freshwater resources contaminated by industrial waste and sewage runoff, waste disposal, and air pollution in Colombo. |
International Agreements on Environmental Issues |
Issues that have not been ratified: Biodiversity, Climate change, Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered species, Environmental alteration, Hazardous waste, Law of the sea, Ozone layer protection, Ship pollution, Wetlands. Issues that have not been ratified: Marine life conservation. |
Working Hours | Monday to Friday: 9:00 to 17:00 |
Banking Hours | Monday to Saturday: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm or 3:00 pm (depending on the bank) |
Post Office Opening Hours |
Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Saturday: 8:30 am to 1:00 pm The General Post Office in Colombo is open 24 hours. |