Adam Smigielski
In good part because of its long civil war (from 1983 to 2009), this mostly Buddhist island nation of 22 million, located in the Indian Ocean to the southeast of India, is afflicted by overtourism yet is now attracting increasing numbers of visitors thanks to an amazing trove of sights and experiences, from coconut-palm-fringed beaches (some of which are great for surfing!); lush tea plantations; exciting wildlife-spotting safaris; a delectable cuisine; and friendly locals not jaded by tourism and are happy to offer you the warm hospitality that´s part of their culture; and ancient temples and fortresses that are testament to a history stretching back millennia.
Sri Lanka’s history begins with ancient Sinhalese kingdoms such as Anuradhapura (from the 4th century BCE) and Polonnaruwa, which developed advanced irrigation systems and embraced Buddhism. The island later saw South Indian Tamil influence and periodic invasions, leading to a long-standing cultural and ethnic duality. From the 16th century, European powers—the Portuguese, then the Dutch, and finally the British—colonized the island, with Britain unifying it as Ceylon in 1815. Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, but post-independence tensions between Sinhalese and Tamil populations escalated into a civil war from 1983 to 2009. More recently, in 2022 a popular uprising threw off authoritarian rule of the previous régime and has since been focused on reconstruction, tourism, and economic development, while continuing to navigate political and social challenges.
Here are some of the highlights you won´t want to miss...
In good part because of its long civil war (from 1983 to 2009), this mostly Buddhist island nation of 22 million, located in the Indian Ocean to the southeast of India, is afflicted by overtourism yet is now attracting increasing numbers of visitors thanks to an amazing trove of sights and experiences, from coconut-palm-fringed beaches (some of which are great for surfing!); lush tea plantations; exciting wildlife-spotting safaris; a delectable cuisine; and friendly locals not jaded by tourism and are happy to offer you the warm hospitality that´s part of their culture; and ancient temples and fortresses that are testament to a history stretching back millennia.
Sri Lanka’s history begins with ancient Sinhalese kingdoms such as Anuradhapura (from the 4th century BCE) and Polonnaruwa, which developed advanced irrigation systems and embraced Buddhism. The island later saw South Indian Tamil influence and periodic invasions, leading to a long-standing cultural and ethnic duality. From the 16th century, European powers—the Portuguese, then the Dutch, and finally the British—colonized the island, with Britain unifying it as Ceylon in 1815. Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, but post-independence tensions between Sinhalese and Tamil populations escalated into a civil war from 1983 to 2009. More recently, in 2022 a popular uprising threw off authoritarian rule of the previous régime and has since been focused on reconstruction, tourism, and economic development, while continuing to navigate political and social challenges.
Here are some of the highlights you won´t want to miss...
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