Country portrait
Sri Lanka
Typical Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon up until 1972, is mainly known for the production and export of tea (hence the name Ceylon tea) and its Ayurveda treatments. Ayurveda, the “science of life”, identifies useful practices on how to maintain good health, vitality and joie de vivre into old age. Massages and cleansing techniques, dietetics, herbal remedies and spiritual yoga are all key elements of this ancient medical science.
That’s Colombo
Sri Lanka’s capital city is conveniently situated on the peninsula and has a protected natural harbor, which is why the former fishing village is now a popular commercial port for the Spice Islands. Beira Lake, consisting of three small lakes, is located in the heart of the city.
Rice and curry
Sinhalese cuisine is among the spiciest in the world. Rice and curry is the country’s standard dish, which the Sri Lankan people eat every single day – and with such gusto, too. Sometimes, they even have rice and curry for breakfast. They also eat “Rotis” – large flatbreads baked from rice flour, “String hoppers” – thin spaghetti served with dahl or curry sauce, and “hoppers” – key-shaped samosas made from rice flour. A typical Sri Lankan drink is the thirst-quenching coconut milk from orange king coconuts.
Sport and leisure
Sport plays a key role in Sri Lankan culture, which is why the country is home to many sport stadiums. Sri Lanka’s national cricket team is among the best in the world. Since the beginning of the 1990s, Sri Lanka has been playing alongside the world’s top cricket teams. It won both the Cricket World Cup and the Asia Cup in 1996 only to win the Asia Cup again in 2004 and come second in the 2007 and 2011 Cricket World Cup. Despite these successes in cricket, volleyball remains the country’s official national sport.
The elephant orphanage
Elephants are an endangered species on the island of Sri Lanka. The country was home to around 12,000 elephants at the beginning of the 20th century. But war and poaching means that this number has now reduced to only a few thousand. Helpless young elephants who would have no chance of survival on their own often remain behind. The Elephant Transit Home, an orphanage for elephants, takes in orphaned and injured baby elephants, nurses them to health and nurtures them until they are ready to be returned to the wild in a secure national park.
The people of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s population consists of approx. 20 million inhabitants, who speak Sinhalese as well as Tamil and English. Today, the country is a multireligious and multiethnic nation, with Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam being the main religions practiced.
The conflict lasting decades in which Tamil rebels had fought to create an independent state, was declared over in 2009.
Sri Lanka – also known as the “Land of Delights”
At first glance, the island in the Indian Ocean can be distinguished primarily by its magnificent beaches and azure waters. Due to its scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage, the country is among the most popular tourist destinations. But Sri Lanka is also known for its historic sites, seven of which are under special protection as UNESCO Heritage Sites.
