Tuesday, July 6, 2010

History

History

Indo-Aryan emigration from India in the 5th century B.C.came to form the largest ethnic group on Sri Lanka today, the Sinhalese. Tamils, the second-largest ethnic group on the island, were originally from the Tamil region of India and emigrated between the 3rd century B.C. and A.D. 1200. Until colonial powers controlled Ceylon (the country's name until 1972), Sinhalese and Tamil rulers fought for dominance over the island. The Tamils, primarily Hindus, claimed the northern section of the island and the Sinhalese, who are predominantly Buddhist, controlled the south. In 1505 the Portuguese took possession of Ceylon until the Dutch India Company usurped control (1658–1796). The British took over in 1796, and Ceylon became an English Crown colony in 1802. The British developed coffee, tea, and rubber plantations. On Feb. 4, 1948, after pressure from Ceylonese nationalist leaders (which briefly unified the Tamil and Sinhalese), Ceylon became a self-governing dominion of the Commonwealth of Nations.

S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike became prime minister in 1956 and championed Sinhalese nationalism, making Sinhala the country's only official language and including state support of Buddhism, further marginalizing the Tamil minority. He was assassinated in 1959 by a Buddhist monk. His widow, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, became the world's first female prime minister in 1960. The name Ceylon was changed to Sri Lanka (“resplendent island”) on May 22, 1972.

The Tamil minority's mounting resentment toward the Sinhalese majority's monopoly on political and economic power, exacerbated by cultural and religious differences, erupted in bloody violence in 1983. Tamil rebel groups, the strongest of which were the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or Tamil Tigers, began a civil war to fight for separate nation.

President Ranasinghe Premadasa was assassinated at a May Day political rally in 1993, when a Tamil rebel detonated explosives strapped to himself. Tamil extremists have frequently resorted to terrorist attacks against civilians. The next president, Chandrika Kumaratunga, vowed to restore peace to the country. In Dec. 1999, she was herself wounded in a terrorist attack. By early 2000, 18 years of war had claimed the lives of more than 64,000, mostly civilians.

A brief ineffectual cease fire

After Dec. 2001 elections, Ranil Wickremesinghe, a longtime bitter rival of President Kumaratunga, was sworn in as prime minister. Wickremesinghe's victory precipitated a formal cease-fire with the Tamil rebels, signed in Feb. 2002. In September talks, the government lifted its ban on the group, and the Tigers dropped their demand for an independent Tamil state. Another significant breakthrough came in December when the Tigers and the government struck a power-sharing deal that would give the rebels regional autonomy. But negotiations in 2003 achieved little.

Intense political rivalry threatened the peace process. In Nov. 2003, President Kumaratunga, convinced that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was too soft in his negotiations with the Tigers, wrested away some of his powers. In Feb. 2004, the president dissolved parliament and called for elections in the hope of further eroding the power of the prime minister. The gamble paid off for Kumaratunga—her United People's Freedom Alliance won April's parliamentary elections, and Wickremesinghe was replaced by a new prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, a high-ranking member of Kumaratunga's party.

On Dec. 26, 2004, a tremendously powerful tsunami ravaged 12 Asian countries. About 38,000 people were reported killed in Sri Lanka. President Kumaratunga and the Tamil Tigers reached a deal in June 2005 to share about $4.5 billion in international aid to rebuild the country. But intensifying violence in the eastern part of the country threatened the cease-fire and jeopardized the aid package. In Aug. 2005, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar was assassinated and the government declared a state of emergency.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa won November's presidential elections, taking 50% of the vote to former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's 48%. Rajapaksa is expected to take a hard line with the Tamil Tigers. Rajapaksa appointed Ratnasiri Wickremanayaka as prime minister.

Civil War Breaks Out

In 2006, repeated violations of the 2002 cease-fire on both sides turned into outright war. Since April 2006, about 1,000 soldiers and civilians have been killed, and 135,000, mostly Tamils, have been displaced. Efforts by Norway, which brokered the 2002 cease-fire, to bring both sides to the negotiating table were unsuccessful throughout the summer.

Fighting between the rebels and government troops continued into 2007. After a weeks of deadly battles, the military took control of rebel-held regions of eastern Sri Lanka in March, leaving tens of thousands more civilians displaced. In April, the Tamil Tigers launched their first air raid, using small airplanes to bomb an air force base near Colombo. An attack by the Sri Lankan air force in November killed the leader of the Tigers' political wing, S. P. Tamilselvan. Amid continued fighting, the government abrogated the cease-fire in January 2008.

Sri Lanka was rocked by a series of suicide bombs on the eve of and during the country's celebration of its 60th anniversary of independence in February. Nearly 40 people died in the attacks. April was a particularly bloody month in Sri Lanka. Indeed, highways minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was killed in a bombing attributed to Tamil Tiger rebels. Later in the month, more than 40 soldiers and 100 Tamil Tiger rebels died in a battle in the Jaffna peninsula.

About Sri Lanka

About Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is famous for its 1,600 km of unspoilt, golden beaches. It's a paradise Island shaped like a tear drop in the Indian Ocean. Formerly known as Ceylon and famous for its wonderful Tea, Sri Lanka is a vibrant country with an incredible history. It'sa country of 18 million people; rich in its diversity of culture, race, language and religion.

The island has an abundance of natural resources, fauna and flora, mountains, rivers and beautiful beaches. It is located at the crossroads where East meets West and is regarded as the gateway to South Asia. The hill country has gorgeous rolling hills and tea plantations. The entire island is teeming with bird life and exotics like elephants and leopards.

The people are friendly, food delicious and costs low! A stunning island filled with beaches and wild life sanctuaries like the Elephant Orphanage, ancient cities, hills, beaches - and most of all, it's incredible beauty.

Letter from Travellers Volunteer Alice Nimmo: ‘Hello Travellers, I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time I had in Sri Lanka in March this year at the elephant orphanage! I can't fault the experience at all, and the staff were fantastic.

I have definitely taken a love for visiting countries of completely different culture now, and hope I can take part in another voluntary work placement in Africa in the next couple of years. Thank you for all your help, you were fantastic at sorting it out for me and nothing ever went wrong, apart from the monsoon season coming a little earlier than planned!

Siresh was fantastic and was always concerned for the safety of us - he also had a very good sense of humour and the language barrier was ever so funny. And also Chandana, who cooked amazing food, I was in heaven with all the spicy curries, and Ajeet for keeping the house so clean, oh yes, and who could forget Mandulla the van driver, always on time and Nirangela the wacky chirpy lady. Thank you again and hope to see you in the future.'

There's good swimming at any number of beaches along the south-western coast. Excellent scuba diving, snorkelling and surfing are found at Hikkaduwa, there's pleasant snorkelling at Unawatuna, and sailing, windsurfing and water skiing on the Bentota River.

For trekking, try climbing Adam's Peak or walking across the strange silent plateau of Horton Plains near Nuwara Eliya to see the 700m (2296ft) drop at World's End.

"The people I spoke to at Travellers in the UK were fantastically helpful and very friendly. I felt I could have asked them about anything." Joanna Blundell – Sri Lanka.

Animal life is profuse and includes the ubiquitous elephant, as well as leopards, deer, monkeys, sloth bears, wild boar, cobras, crocodiles, dugong and turtles. The island is an important seasonal home to migrating birds, including flamingoes, who flock to the lagoons, wetlands and bird sanctuaries for respite from the northern winter.

Climate: The driest and best seasons are from December to March on the west and south coasts and in the hill country, and from May to September on the east coast. December to March is also the time when most foreign tourists come, the majority of them escaping the European winter.

The coastal stretch south of Colombo offers palm-lined sandy expanses as far as the eye can see. The Kandyan dances, a procession of elephants or the masked devil dances. Then there are the ruins, ancient and inspiring architecture in the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to satisfy any archaeologist.

Udaya Nanayakkara, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, says ... "Sri Lanka has been the focus of the world’s attention since the tsunami hit our shores on December 26, 2004. And while we will never forget the enormous impact on our coastline and the sadness caused by the deaths of 107 tourists and 30,618 Sri Lankan's, our people have shown a remarkable resilience, an amazing determination to rebuild our lives and our nation, to emerge even stronger than we were before.

Tourism is key to that rebuilding process. A healthy tourist industry will provide jobs and in turn the dignity that will put the world-famous smile back on Sri Lankan faces. In urging visitors to return to our shores, it is important to present the real facts about Sri Lanka, a true picture of the situation on a daily basis."

“Having finally returned home from Sri Lanka, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Travellers for helping to organise my trip. I had the most amazing time and will definitely be going back there as soon as possible! I really enjoyed my placements, living in both the Ja-Ela and Kegalle houses was great fun and I’ve made some fantastic friends.” Jennifer Rowe


About Colombo

Colombo is the capital city and the commercial centre of Sri Lanka, filled with shopping centres and all modern facilities. The city has an eclectic blend of old and new, traditional and modern, Eastern and Western. Colombo, the island's largest city, is noisy, frenetic - and just a little crazy. Thankfully, the breakdowns, snarled traffic and power cuts are received with a shrug and a smile. 'No problem' might be the national motto; it's certainly the one phrase everyone knows and can say.

Colombo is a relatively easy city to find your way around. To the north is the Fort district, the country's business centre, which has department stores, book shops, airline offices and is the site of the Central Bank which the Tamil Tigers blew up in January 1996. There are also ample sights such as the clock tower, a former lighthouse, the president's residence (known by incorrigible traditionalists as Queen's House), and a cluster of colonial buildings which lend the district an aura of bygone Empire.

Immediately south of here is Galle Face Green, a seafront expanse of occasional green graced by cricket games, kite flyers and trysting lovers. Cinammon Gardens, further south, is Colombo's most fashionable neighbourhood, with elegant mansions, tree-lined streets and the city's largest park. East of the fort is the pungent Pettah bazaar district. Walk through and marvel at the riot of goods - fruit, vegetables, meat, gems, gold, silver, brass and tin junk.

Culture buffs shouldn't miss the National Museum, which has a good collection of historical works, the Art Gallery, which focuses on portraiture and temporary exhibits by local artists, and the city's many mosques and Buddhist and Hindu temples. After familiarising yourself with Sri Lankan culture, check out the island's fauna at the Dehiwala Zoo. The highlight here is an afternoon elephant show. The closest real beach is at Mt Lavinia, a faded resort 10km south of the city. Budget accommodation, cheap food and the best shopping can be found in the Fort and Pettah districts. Nightlife is moribund, though a visit to the cinema in the Fort district is an experience.

Things to do in Sri Lanka

You will never be short of something to do in Sri Lanka - wherever you are based on your project you will be able to reach some of the most incredible beaches, cultural sites including ancient temples and cities, aromatic tea plantations and exhilarating waterfalls in the rolling hill country. The famous Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage is also a "must-see" on this paradise island.

In Sri Lanka, every sight, sound and smell will engulf you with new experiences. Take an early morning train ride from Colombo to Hikkaduwa and watch in awe as you travel past some of the most incredible scenery. Smiling children will wave at you from shanty towns lining the outskirts of Colombo, but these soon give way to views across paddy fields where buffalo and cows can be seen grazing. As your journey continues the train tracks begin to run parallel to the beach and you will be left mesmerised by the incredible sights in this friendly country

Hotels & Accomadation

Hotels & Accomadation
Colombo

sort hotel asc Hotel Name sort hotel descsort hotel asc Rating sort hotel descsort hotel asc Town sort hotel descsort hotel asc Location sort hotel desc
Grand Oriental HotelColomboColombo
Mount Lavinia HotelMount LaviniaColombo
Hotel Pegasus ReefHendalaColombo
Ramada Colombo (Former Holiday Inn)ColomboColombo
Galle Face Hotel & SpaColomboColombo
Ceylon Continental HotelColomboColombo
Galadari HotelColomboColombo
Hilton ColomboColomboColomboquality accomodation
Cinnamon LakesideColomboColombo
Cinnamon Grand ColomboColomboColombo
Taj SamudraColomboColombo
TintagelColomboColomboquality accomodation
Casa ColomboColomboColomboquality accomodation


UP-Country


sort hotel asc Hotel Name sort hotel descsort hotel asc Rating sort hotel descsort hotel asc Town sort hotel descsort hotel asc Location sort hotel desc
Hotel Sudu AraliyaPolonnaruwaUp-Country
Sigiriya VillageSigiriyaUp-Country
Priyankara HotelTissamaharamaUp-Country
St. Andrew's HotelNuwara EliyaUp-Country
Hotel GiritaleGiritaleUp-Country
Deer Park HotelGiritaleUp-Countryquality accomodation
Cinnamon LodgeHabaranaUp-Country
Chaaya VillageHabaranaUp-Country
Heritance KandalamaKandalamaUp-Countryquality accomodation
AMAYA LakeDambullaUp-Country
Hotel SigiriyaSigiriyaUp-Countryvalue hotel booking srilanka
Chaaya CitadelKandyUp-Country
Earls RegencyKandyUp-Countryquality accomodation
AMAYA HillsKandyUp-Country
Mahaweli ReachKandyUp-Country
Hotel Hill TopKandyUp-Country
Hotel SuisseKandyUp-Countryvalue hotel booking srilanka
Helga's FollyKandyUp-Country
Hunas FallsKandyUp-Country
Heritance Tea FactoryNuwara EliyaUp-Country
Grand HotelNuwara EliyaUp-Country
Orient HotelBandarawelaUp-Country
Bandarawela HotelBandarawelaUp-Country
Ella Adventure ParkEllaUp-Country
TASKS Safari CampKuda OyaUp-Country
Mandara RosenKataragamaUp-Country
Tea Trails - Castlereagh BungalowBogawantalawa ValleyUp-Country
Vil UyanaSigiriyaUp-Countryquality accomodation
Rosita Tea Plantation BungalowKotagalaUp-Countryvalue hotel booking srilanka
Sherwood Tea Plantation BungalowHaputaleUp-Countryvalue hotel booking srilanka
Thotalagala Tea Plantation BungalowHaputaleUp-Countryvalue hotel booking srilanka
Tea Trails - Norwood BungalowBogawantalawa ValleyUp-Country
Tea Trails - Tientsin BungalowBogawantalawa ValleyUp-Country
Tea Trails - Summerville BungalowBogawantalawa ValleyUp-Country
Galway Forest LodgeNuwara EliyaUp-Country

Beaches East Coast

sort hotel asc Hotel Name sort hotel descsort hotel asc Rating sort hotel descsort hotel asc Town sort hotel descsort hotel asc Location sort hotel desc
Chaaya Blu (Former Club Oceanic)TrincomaleeBeaches East Coastquality accomodation


Beaches North of Colombo

sort hotel asc Hotel Name sort hotel descsort hotel asc Rating sort hotel descsort hotel asc Town sort hotel descsort hotel asc Location sort hotel desc
Taj Airport Garden HotelSeeduwaBeaches North of Colombo
Club Palm BayMarawilaBeaches North of Colombo
Camelot Beach HotelNegomboBeaches North of Colombo
The Beach & SpaNegomboBeaches North of Colomboquality accomodation
Ayurveda PavilionsNegomboBeaches North of Colomboquality accomodation
Browns Beach HotelNegomboBeaches North of Colombo
Jetwing Blue (former Blue Oceanic)NegomboBeaches North of Colombo
Jetwing Sea (Former Seashells)NegomboBeaches North of Colombo


Beaches South of Colombo

sort hotel asc Hotel Name sort hotel descsort hotel asc Rating sort hotel descsort hotel asc Town sort hotel descsort hotel asc Location sort hotel desc
Serene PavilionsWadduwaBeaches South of Colomboquality accomodation
The Blue Water & SpaWadduwaBeaches South of Colombovalue hotel booking srilanka
Muthumuni Ayurveda Beach ResortBeruwelaBeaches South of Colombo
Amangalla ResortGalleBeaches South of Colomboquality accomodation
The Privilege HotelWadduwaBeaches South of Colomboquality accomodation
Ramada Resort KalutaraKalutaraBeaches South of Colombo
Villa Ocean View HotelWadduwaBeaches South of Colombo
Siddhalepa Ayurveda Health ResortWadduwaBeaches South of Colombo
Royal Palms Beach HotelKalutaraBeaches South of Colombovalue hotel booking srilanka
Tangerine Beach HotelKalutaraBeaches South of Colombo
Club Palm GardenBeruwelaBeaches South of Colombovalue hotel booking srilanka
Eden Resort & SpaBeruwelaBeaches South of Colombo
Tropical VillasBeruwelaBeaches South of Colombo
Hotel NeptuneBeruwelaBeaches South of Colombo
Neptune Ayurveda VillageBeruwelaBeaches South of Colombovalue hotel booking srilanka
Lanka Princess HotelBeruwelaBeaches South of Colombo
Muthumuni Ayurveda River ResortBeruwelaBeaches South of Colombo
Taj ExoticaBentotaBeaches South of Colomboquality accomodation
Hotel Saman VillasBentotaBeaches South of Colombo
Bentota Beach HotelBentotaBeaches South of Colombovalue hotel booking srilanka
Hotel Paradise IslandBentotaBeaches South of Colombo
Ayurveda Walauwa ResortBentotaBeaches South of Colombo
Club BentotaBentotaBeaches South of Colombo
Hotel CeysandsBentotaBeaches South of Colombo
Hotel SerendibBentotaBeaches South of Colombo
Hotel Lihiniya SurfBentotaBeaches South of Colombovalue hotel booking srilanka
Club VillaBentotaBeaches South of Colombo
Induruwa Beach ResortInduruwaBeaches South of Colombovalue hotel booking srilanka
Kosgoda Beach ResortKosgodaBeaches South of Colombo
Heritance AhungallaAhungallaBeaches South of Colomboquality accomodation
The Villa 432BalapitiyaBeaches South of Colombo
AMAYA ReefHikkaduwaBeaches South of Colombovalue hotel booking srilanka
Coral Gardens Hotel - Closed for renovationHikkaduwaBeaches South of Colombo
Aditya Beach ResortRathgamaBeaches South of Colomboquality accomodation
Lighthouse HotelGalleBeaches South of Colomboquality accomodation
Waterside Boutique VillaBentotaBeaches South of Colombo
The Sun HouseGalleBeaches South of Colomboquality accomodation
The Dutch HouseGalleBeaches South of Colomboquality accomodation
Secret Garden VillaUnawatunaBeaches South of Colombo
Unawatuna Beach ResortUnawatunaBeaches South of Colombo
Koggala Beach Resort - Club Koggala VillageKoggalaBeaches South of Colombo
Peacock Beach HotelHambantotaBeaches South of Colombo
Dickwella ResortDickwellaBeaches South of Colombo
Life Ayurveda ResortWadduwaBeaches South of Colombovalue hotel booking srilanka
Mandara ResortMirissaBeaches South of Colombo
The FortressKoggalaBeaches South of Colomboquality accomodation
Amanwella ResortTangalleBeaches South of Colomboquality accomodation
Temple Tree Resort & SpaInduruwaBeaches South of Colombovalue hotel booking srilanka
The Lady HillGalleBeaches South of Colombo
Kurulu BeddhaGalleBeaches South of Colombo
The PalmsBeruwelaBeaches South of Colombo

Visitors

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