Get Inspired by the Pearl Of Indian Ocean

"AYUBOWAN" May you have the gift of long life! It is with this traditional greeting, that everyone is welcomed to Sri Lanka, the paradise island. For a small island Sri Lanka has many nicknames; Serendip, Ceylon, Tear drop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dhamma, Pearl of the Indian Ocean. This colorful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of affection it has evoked in visitors

Sri Lanka

 
ANCIENT HISTORY

 
Source-www.lankalibrary.com/geo.html#2

Five centuries before Christ, Sri Lanka was a land throbbing with vitality and a well-ordered civilization. Cities, palaces, reservoirs, parks, temples, monasteries, monuments and works of art bore testament to the character, imagination, culture, philosophy and faith of the people of Sri Lanka, the Resplendent Land. Vestiges of this ancient civilization are abundantly extant today.

The first major legendary reference to the island is found in the great Indian epic, the Ramayana, thought to have been written around 500 B.C. The Ramayana tells of the conquest of Lanka in 3000 B.C. by Rama, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. Rama's quest to save his abducted wife, Sita, from Ravanna, the demon god of Lanka, is, according to some scholars, a poetic account of the early southward expansion of Brahmanic civilization.

The most valuable source of knowledge for the legends and historical heritage of Sri Lanka is the Mahavamsa (Great Genealogy or Dynasty), a chronicle compiled in Pali, in the sixth century. Vijaya is the central legendary figure in the Mahavamsa. He was the grandson of an Indian princess Suppadevi from Vanga in northern India who had been abducted by an amorous lion, Simha, and son of their incestuous and half-leonine offspring, Sinhabahu & Sinhasivali. Along with 700 of his followers, perhaps from Kalinga (Orissa), Vijaya arrived in Lanka, and established himself as ruler with the help of Kuveni, a local demon-worshiping princess. Although Kuveni had given birth to two of Vijaya's children, she was banished by the ruler, who then arranged a marriage with a princess from Madurai in southeastern India. Kuveni's offspring are the folkloric ancestors of the present day Veddahs

History of Sri Lanka
Go back to 700,000 B.C

With evidence found from all over the world, researches and explorers believes that Sinhala (Helaya) in Sri Lanka (Hela Diva) is the oldest civilization in the world

 Colombo

There are man made architectural structures for one to look at, there are natural sites to behold, and there are festivals and event to enjoy at any time of year. Colombo is a city full of active residents who are willing to help a visitor navigate the many pleasures of the area. There are all kinds of resources for those who are traveling with family, alone, for business, or just to get away from it all.

One of the most famous land marks and sites to see in Colombo is the Beira Lake. On this lake, there is a chance that visitors can see the many boat races that are hosted in its waters. The banks of the lake are also used as a theater of any kind, from comedy to tragedy. The lake has been around as long as the city has, and it has always been a favorite. Colonists used it for defense of the city in the past.

One of the greatest things about the Colombo area is the fact that the weather is virtually perfect for just about anything, that is, except snowboarding! The temperature ranges from a very stable 80 to 85 degrees all year long, from January to December. In Celsius, this is the temperatures of 27 to 28. The weather is perfect for shorts and short sleeved pants, and while one does not need to wear a jacket, it does not get excessively hot. This is the ideal weather for those who are weak and cannot take extreme heat or coldness. Even the elderly thrive in temperatures such as these. The only difference in between the different seasons is the rainfall. There is more rain in the monsoon seasons, October to January and May to August. If you wish to get cheap flights to Colombo then book online in advance because tickets to Colombo will cost higher in last minute deals.

Colombo is a city that has many memories just waiting to be made, and the beauty of the architecture is a great photo opportunity for professionals and mothers alike. A favorite site is the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, a large place of worship with an intricate red and white design that greeted sailors who were coming in from the sea. The Galle Face Hotel is another favorite, with visitors like the British Royal Family and other celebrities. The city also has promenades and palm trees that make the city feel like an incredible wonderland.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/flights-articles/colombo-flights-2960601.html

About the Author

This article has been provided by sandhya, a passionate traveler, Also provides information on cheap holidays

Colombo

Colombo , largest city (1995 est. pop. 750,000) and former capital of Sri Lanka, a port on the Indian Ocean near the mouth of the Kelani River. The original Sinhalese name, Kalantotta ( "Kelani ferry" ), was corrupted to Kolambu by Arab traders and was changed to Colombo by the Portuguese. The city's major sections are the old area of narrow streets and colorful market stalls; the modern commercial and government area around the 16th-century Portuguese fort; and Cinnamon Gardens, a wealthy residential and recreational area.

  

Colombo – the spirit of Sri Lanka

Above photo-nationsonline.org

Author: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Colombo posses a natural harbour and has been a port of call for more than 2,000 years. It was often the landing point for many traders and since then has remained a major financial and business city for Sri Lanka. This capital city is a rich source of entertainment in all forms, dining, shopping and site seeing.

With its glorious past and hopeful future, Colombo brings forward an exotic cocktail of elements that are hard to resist. Find remnants of its glorious past in pockets around the city, healthy doses of greenery, bargain deals be it for hotels, shopping or dining and nightlife that rouse the senses.

Colombo shopping is definitely a worthwhile effort, buyers can pick from a few of her shopping malls like Crescat Boulevard, Majestic City, Odel and Liberty Plaza. Known to be a country that mass produces export garments, clothing shops are not hard to find. Shoppers can expect to find clothing for all seasons along with a wide array of shoes and other accessories that would fit any purse. From international to local designer labels, from street vendors in Pettah to air conditioned malls and everything in between, shopping in Colombo will never fail to delight you.

Dining in Colombo is also a delightful occurrence, from street hawkers to fine dining, this capital city has more than its fair share of options. Sri Lankans love their food, and it’s no surprise that you can find just about any type of cuisine, made to varied tastes and flavours that will leave you wanting more. Take a pick from Sri Lankan, Chinese, Italian, German, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Vietnamese and so many others when you dine in a Colombo restaurant.

Nightlife in Colombo is also another reason to rejoice, from its myriad of restaurants, local theatre performances, bars and nightclubs. Colombo can be easily traversed from one end to the other in a reasonable period of time, and the nightclubs are usually segregated to areas that are close to the 5 star hotels in Colombo.

Gangaaraama Temple-Colombo

Above photo-Riyaza (cityphotos.info/cms/sri_lanka/colombo.htm)

For some sight seeing of cultural and historical significance, Colombo is plentiful in colonial architecture, temples, museums and galleries. Bordering the west coast of Sri Lanka, this capital city may not be teeming with skyscrapers or could be referred to as a metropolis, but her demure and pulse is something that is just waiting to be appreciated.

When looking for Colombo hotels, why not try any of the accommodations available from the John Keells Hotels Group?

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/colombo-the-spirit-of-sri-lanka-1355199.html

About the Author

Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.

More photos

Making Colombo the Garden City of East again!

The city of Colombo was once called the Garden City of the East and it was also the cleanest city of the region. But gradually it turned into a city that nauseates its citizenry and visitors as garbage dumps, littered street corners or even the sidewalks in some busy localities gave Colombo a dirty name. That was the time President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed a one man commission to look into the mismanagement of the Colombo Municipal Council. Consequent to the recommendations of the commission, CMC was suspended and a Chief City Administrator Omar Kamil was appointed to administer the city in 2009. We look back at the record of work achieved, described as visible improvement towards a clean and beautiful city once again.
Omar Kamil who had been a city father for 18 years and deputy mayor and mayor with two decades experience in the administration of the city has been able to clean up the City, give it a facelift, rehabilitate the roads and traffic management, improve the public health system during the past two years since he was appointed just two years back. In an interview with The Nation he discussed the task performed by him, which he called ‘team work’ with the support of the President and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

Source-www.nation.lk/2011/09/11/newsfe1.htm

Welcome to New Colombo-The Most Beautiful City In South East Asia

Spotting blue whales in Sri Lanka

 

After years of whale-watching, Philip Hoare travels to Sri Lanka, hoping to spot the biggest and most impressive cetacean of them all.

 

 Source-www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/srilanka/8453749/Spotting-blue-whales-in-Sri-Lanka.html

 

The east coast has many beautiful beaches, but treacherous low-lying rocks, too

 

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The southern tip of the island is surprisingly close to the deep waters of the continental shelf, and here swim giants

 

By Philip Hoare 8:00AM BST 17 Apr 2011

 

 

Sri Lanka has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, beset with problems from terrorism to flooding. But in the wake of the contentious ending of the war in 2010 with the Tamil Tigers, this verdant island is experiencing a new tourist boom founded largely on its exquisite beaches, where one may spend weeks doing nothing but drinking lime sodas in the sun.

However, I found another prospect more appealing – especially after the frenetic demands of appearing at the island's Galle Literary Festival.

For some years now, I'd heard stories of whales seen off Sri Lanka's coast, not least from my brother-in-law, Sam Goonetillake, founder of the Helplanka charity, which was set up to assist the orphans of the 2004 tsunami.

For a dedicated "whalehead" such as myself, these tales were impossibly alluring. The southern tip of the island is surprisingly close to the deep waters of the continental shelf, and here swim giants: blue whales, the largest animals that ever lived. It is a unique situation: nowhere else do these whales come in so close to land, or are so reliably seen.

 

2004 Tsunami Sensitive Videos (www.gossiplankanews.com/)

Indigenous Lanka: Consensus for Survival