Sri Lanka (previously Ceylon) has been poetically described as “a teardrop off the southern tip of India.” Its various landscapes vary from rainforest and arid plains to lush highlands and seashores. The nation is famed for its historic Buddhist ruins, together with the fifth century citadel Sigiriya. For such a small nation, it’s superb that it boasts eight World Heritage websites!
Sigiriya
Temple of the Tooth in Kandy
Jetavanaramaya Dagoba, Anuradhapura
Pilgrims in Anuradhapura
Hatadage in Polonnaruwa
Fishermen in Galle
This island nation has an incredible variety of endemic birds and mammals, together with 34 chicken species and 16 mammal species! And Sri Lanka’s endangered elephants are one among three distinct subspecies of the Asian elephant.
Sri Lanka Elephant
Indian Peafowl
Gray Languer
Malabar Pied Hornbills
It’s a land of festivals, just about all are spiritual in nature and following the lunar calendar. Many Buddhist festivals happen in the course of the days of the total moon—poya days—that are official public holidays. Nowadays are celebrated with monumental peraheras (parades) that includes elaborately clad elephants, drummers, historically costumed dancers, fireplace ball dancers, acrobats, and extra.
—Images and textual content by WT adventurer Susan Harris, Sri Lanka.