Sri - Lanka

                               Sri-Lanka

                                       WEL COME   SRI-LANKA


The President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the elected head of state and the head of government. The President is a dominant political figure in Sri Lanka. The office was created in 1978 but has grown so powerful there have been calls to restrict or even eliminate its power. The current President is Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Lanka was originally ruled by a Rakshasa(old some people) named Sumali (as per Ramayana). Later it was taken by Visarvana (Kubera) who was a Yaksha. From him, Rakshasa Ravana, took the rulership of Lanka. Rama killed Ravana and installed his brother Vibhishana on the throne of Lanka. According to Mahabharata, Yaksha king Vaisana alias Kubera was the ruler of Lanka. His capital was guarded by Rakshasas.His half-brother Ravana (son of the sage Vishravaya and Sumali's daughter) fought with Kubera in battle and obtained the sovereignty of Lanka from him. Ravana ruled Lanka as the king of Rakshasn. Having slain the king of the Rakshasas, viz Ravana, with his brother Kumbakarna, and sons and kindred, Rama installed in the kingdom of Lanka the Rakshasa chief, Vibhishana, pious, and reverent, and kind to devoted dependents.

Percy Mahendra "Mahinda" Rajapaksa Sinhala මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ, Pronounced  Mahenda Rajapaksa; Tamil  மகிந்த ராசபக்ச; born November 18, 1945 is the 6th and current President Of Sri Lanka and Commander in Chief of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. A lawyer by profession, Rajapaksa was first elected to the Parliment of Sri Lanka in 1970, and served as Prime Minister from April 6, 2004 until his victory in the 2005 Presidential Election. He was sworn in for a six-year term as president on November 19, 2005. He was Re-elected for a second term in office on January 27, 2010.

From Sanskrit श्री लंका meaning "Resplendent Lanka." The name "Lanka" was originally the capital of Ancient Kingdom of "King Rawana". The word "Lanka" literally means "island.""Helanka" (sinhala) meaning "Lanka of Hela's", "Heladiva" (sinhala) meaning the "Island of Hela's", since original natives of the island was called "Hela".Serendip (ancient name): derived from the sihalan-dip, meaning "the island of sihala's or originally "Hela's".Ceylon (English), Ceilão (Portuguese), Seilan (former names): from the Pali शिन्हल Sinhalana meaning "land of the lions".Taproben (ancient name): changed from dip-Raawan, meaning "the island of King Rawana"

Colombo (Sinhala: කොළඹ, pronounced [ˈkoləmbə]; Tamil: கொழும்பு) is the largest city and former capital of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital. Colombo is a busy and vibrant city with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins^[2] and a city population of 647,100.^[1] The Colombo Metropolitan Region, defined by the districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara, has an estimated population of 5,648,000, and covers an area of 3,694.20 km².^[3][4]
Due to its large harbour and its strategic position along the East-West sea trade routes, Colombo was known to ancient traders 2,000 years ago. However it was only made the capital of the island when Sri Lanka was ceded to the British Empire in 1815,^[5] and its status as capital was retained when the nation became independent in 1948. In 1978, when administrative functions were moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Colombo was designated as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka.
Like many cities, Colombo's urban area extends well beyond the boundaries of a single local authority, encompassing other Municipal and Urban Councils. The main city is home to a majority of Sri Lanka's corporate offices, restaurants and entertainment venues.^[6] Famous landmarks in Colombo include the Galle Face Green, the Viharamahadevi Park as well as the National Museum.

                   
                            Colombo

                        Town Hall

                               
                               Kandy

 
Kandy (Sinhala: මහ නුවර maha nuvara, pronounced [mahaˈnuʋərə]; Tamil: கண்டி kaṇṭi, pronounced [ˈkaɳɖi]) is the English name for the city of Maha Nuvara (Senkadagalapura) in the centre of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka.^[1] The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an administrative and religious city. It is the capital of the Central Province (which encompasses the districts of Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya) and also of Kandy District. Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa) one of the most venerable places for the Buddhist community of Sri Lanka and all around the world. It was declared by the UNESCO has a world heritage in 1988.^[2]

Tea Production in Sri Lanka 

Tea production in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is of high importance to the Sri Lankan economy and the world market. The country is the world's fourth largest producer of tea and the industry is one of the country's main sources of foreign exchange and a significant source of income for laborers, with tea accounting for 15% of the GDP, generating roughly $700 million annually. In 1995 Sri Lanka was the world's leading exporter of tea, (rather than producer) with 23% of the total world export, but it has since been surpassed by Kenya. The tea sector employs, directly or indirectly over 1 million people in Sri Lanka, and in 1995 directly employed 215,338 on tea plantations and estates. The humidity, cool temperatures, and rainfall in the country's central highlands provide a climate that favors the production of high quality tea. The industry was introduced to the country in 1867 by James Taylor, the British planter who arrived in 1852

Tea Production








 Polonnaruwa
The second most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms,(Sinhalese - පොළොන්නරුව, Tamil - பொலனாறு) was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated the Chola invaders in 1070 CE to reunite the country once more under a local leader.

                          
                            Dabulla

 Sigiriya

Sigiriya (Lion's rock) is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin situated in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. A popular tourist destination, Sigiriya is also renowned for its ancient paintings (frescos),^[1] which are reminiscent of the Ajanta Caves of India. The Sigiriya was built during the reign of King Kassapa I (AD 477 – 495), and it is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya may have been inhabited through prehistoric times. It was used as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the 5th century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the Buddhist Sangha. According to the chronicles as Mahavamsa the entire complex was built by King Kasyapa, and after the king's death, it was used as a Buddhist monastery until 14th century.
The Sigiri inscriptions were deciphered by the archaeologist Senarath Paranavithana in his renowned two-volume work, published by Oxford, Sigiri Graffiti and also Story of Sigiriya

 

Dalada Maligaya

Sri Dalada Maligawa (Sinhala: ශ්‍රී දළදා මාළිගාව) or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It is located in the royal palace complex which houses the Relic of the tooth of Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country. Kandy was the last capital of the Sinhalese kings and is a UNESCO world heritage site partly due to the temple.
Monks of the two chapters of Malwatte and Asgiriya conduct daily worship in the inner chamber of the temple. Rituals are performed three times daily: at dawn, at noon and in the evening. On Wednesdays there is a symbolic bathing of the Sacred Relic with an herbal preparation made from scented water and fragrant flowers, called Nanumura Mangallaya. This holy water is believed to contain healing powers and is distributed among those present.
The temple sustained damage from bombings at various times but was fully restored each time.

Dalada Maligaya








 Dalada Parahara

Esala Perahera (the festival of the tooth) is the grand festival of Esala held in Sri Lanka. It is very grand with elegant costumes. Happening in July or August in Kandy, it has become a unique symbol of Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist festival consisting of dances and nicely decorated elephants. There are fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandian dances and various other cultural dances. The elephants are usually adorned with lavish garments. The festival ends with the traditional 'diya-kepeema'

                         Dalada Parahara

Sri-Lanka Elephants 

Sri Lankan elephants known as Aliya or Etaha (tusker) by local people are the most loved animal by Sri Lankans. The have a fascinating behavior to watch and has a great National value as a tourist attraction. There are many National parks around the country to see elephants. Pinnawala established and Udawalawe the worlds first elephant orphanages which take care of baby elephants who lost their way or injured in the jungle. The travelers to Sri Lanka enjoy Watching and Photographing and riding on the elephants, Going on Elephant back Safaris in Jungle and Elephant Parades in Festivals.

Although there have been about 36000 elephants with the start of this century it has reduced up to about 2000 due to porching. according to the recent records about 2000 of them scattered all over the country in small pockets and about 500 of them are domesticated. 

             Sri - Lankan's                       Elephants

Our Hotel

Gaze out over the city or Indian Ocean from a luxurious suite at the Hilton Colombo Residence. Set in the heart of Colombo, just 35 minutes from the airport, this Colombo hotel boasts a conference room for 60-300, a business center and wireless internet access in all suites.

Start your day with a game of tennis, yoga or a work-out in the gym with a personal fitness instructor.... more Gaze out over the city or Indian Ocean from a luxurious suite at the Hilton Colombo Residence. Set in the heart of Colombo, just 35 minutes from the airport, this Colombo hotel boasts a conference room for 60-300, a business center and wireless internet access in all suites.

Start your day with a game of tennis, yoga or a work-out in the gym with a personal fitness instructor. Swim laps of Hilton Colombo Residence’s sparkling pool before enjoying a meal at the poolside Verandah Bistro restaurant. Shop for souvenirs in Colombo’s stylish boutiques or take in Colombo attractions like the National Museum and nearby art galleries.

Unwind on Galle Face Green beach or play a round of golf at the nearby Royal Colombo Golf Club. Savor a fusion of international and local cuisine in one of the hotel’s restaurants or choose a private dining room for special occasions at the Hilton Colombo Residence.


Book Your Next Stay at Hilton Colombo Residence

                                                         Hilton Colombo




                                 Sun Set

Toes curling into fine sand. The aquamarine blue waves of the Indian Ocean gently unfolding on the golden shore. A fresh coconut sipped in the shade of wind-whispering palms. A (not-too-long) bask in the early morning or late afternoon sun. A cool-off in the vast expanse of sun-glittering sea..

Some of the delights of a Sri Lankan beach. Where beaches are concerned you will be spoilt for choice in Sri Lanka. Beaches totalling 1,340km fringe the island, from the long-established tourist destinations of the southern coast, to the vast beaches of the deep south, and the less-visited expanses of the north and east. No matter what time of the year, you can find a beach that is in season and just waiting to welcome you to its warm sands.

                       Sun Set Sri lanka

Sun Set - Sri lanka







Sri - Lankan Airlines

Sri - Lankan Airlines

Sri - Lankan Airlines

Sri - Lankan Airlines

Sri - Lankan Airlines





Sport SriLanka (Cricket)

Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Sanath Jayasuriya who will begin a new innings by entering politics for the first time, contesting the upcoming general election on the UPFA ticket, says that serving the masses comes naturally to him. The veteran all-rounder at 40 still has no ambitions of saying goodbye to international cricket. In an interview with LAKBIMAnEWS, he insisted that in contesting from his home town of Matara, he has no intention of becoming a challenge to other established political figures in the area. Jayasuriya also stressed that he was more than capable of striking a balance between cricket and politics and that people should not have any apprehensions of him abandoning them after they send him to the legislature. Excerpts: 
                            
                                                 Sri Lankan Food

Rice and Curry - boiled rice with curried vegetable, fish and/or meat laced with Sri Lankan spices is the typical Sri Lankan main meal, a gourmet’s delight. It is served for both lunch and dinner and some do have it for breakfast too. Curries are usually made hot but can be mellowed to suit the pallet. Rice and Curry is served for lunch and dinner. Boiled or steamed rice with a variety of curries, salads, sambols, pappadam and chutney form the meal. Spices are added to make the dishes more delectable. The unaccustomed may sometimes find the curries too hot but, this is easily controlled by reducing the quantities of spices used, specially chilli and pepper, to suit the different tastes. Everything is brought to the table at once and there are no separate courses as in a Western style meal. It is perfectly correct to take a little of everything and taste it against the neutral rice. On special occasions yellow rice is cooked in coconut milk and delicately flavoured with spices. Turmeric is added to give the rice a bright yellow. It is served garnished with cashews raisins, and hard-boiled eggs. (Read More)

Rice and Curry

 BREAKFAST  hoppers                                           

The most popular breakfast dishes in Sri Lanka are the hoppers (appa). These wafer thin, cup-shaped pancakes are made from a fermented batter of rice flour, coconut milk and a dash of palm toddy. A hopper, crisp on the outside, yet soft and spongy in the centre, is best eaten with curries and sambols while still streaming hot. There are many types of hoppers: plain hoppers, egg hoppers, milk hoppers, and sweeter varieties like vanduappa and paniappa. 



      BREAKFAST Pittu 

Pittu probably came to Sri Lanka with the Malay regiments of the European colonial period. It is however completely naturalized now and is a staple of Sri Lankan cuisine. Pittu is a mixture of fresh rice meal, every lightly roasted and mixed with fresh grated coconut, then steamed in a bamboo mould. It has a soft crumbly texture and is eaten with fresh coconut 'milk' and a hot chilli relish or curry. (Read More)