Geography

Demographics of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean with a population of about 20 million. Density is highest in the southwest where Colombo, the country's main port and industrial center, is located. The net population growth is about 0,7%. Sri Lanka is ethnically, linguistically, and religiously diverse.

People

Sinhalese, an Indo-Aryan group makes up 73.8% of the population (according to 1981 census) and are concentrated in the densely populated southwest and central parts of the Island. The Sri Lanka Tamils, a Dravidian group, is the largest minority group at 12.6% (according to 1981 census)of the population . There are also Indian Tamils which comprises 5.1% of the population. The Moors, who descend from Arab traders that settled in Sri Lanka, form the third largest ethnic group at 7.2% of the population. Smaller minorities include the Malays who descent from South East Asian settlers, and the Burghers, who are descendants of European colonists, principally from Portugal, the Netherlands and the UK.

Religion

Most Sinhalese are Buddhist; most Tamils are Hindu. The Malays and Moors are Muslim. Sizable minorities of both Sinhalese and Tamils are Christians, most of whom are Roman Catholic. The Burgher population is mostly Roman Catholic or Presbyterian.
Sinhala, an Indo-European language, is the native tongue of the Sinhalese. Tamils speak Tamil, a Dravidian language. The Moors speak an Arab-Tamil dialect, consisting of a large number of Arabic words while The Malays speak Sri Lanka Malay. Many of the Burghers speak Sri Lankan Indo-Portuguese although its use has declined and all speak Sinhala. Use of English has declined since independence, but it continues to be spoken by many in the middle and upper middle classes, particularly in Colombo.

Major cities and Towns

Anuradhapura

The beginning of the city of Anuradhapura goes back to the time of the first colonization of the island about the 5th century BC. According the Chronicle, the Mahavamsa, the city of Anuradhapura had been founded by the first of its ruler king Pandukabhaya as the capital of his kingdom of the same name. Of the rulers of the early period of history of the island of Ceylon, which lasted more than 1200 years, more than 100 kings had selected the city of Anuradhapura as the capital of their kingdom. Only three kings had not done so. They were king Kassapa I (477- 495AD) who reigned at Sigiriya, kings Aggabodhi VII (772 – 777AD) and Sena I (833-853AD) who ruled at Polonnaruwa for security reasons – with the invasion of the kingdom of Anuradhapura by the South Indian Colas, which took place in the year 1017 A.D. Anuradhapura ceased to be the capital of the kingdom of Rajarata. Anuradhapura is the most ancient and the most important city of Sri Lanka where one can visit many a most ancient monuments together at a single place. There are many a Buddhist monuments like Stupas, images of the Buddha, dwelling places of monks, meditation halls, etc, and many a pieces of Arts and sculpture, such as guard stones , wing stones, balustrades, moon stones, all over in Anuradhapura. The ancient royal palaces, parks, large bathing ponds, which are scattered here and there and everywhere in Anuradhapura clearly display the technical knowledge of the people of ancient Sri Lanka. There are also a large number of historical monuments in the environment centred around Anuradhapura. The city of Anuradhapura is also an appropriate place to find out about the ancient system and its technology, the agricultural life style of the people and about the social life of the villagers in ancient Ceylon. It also possesses a very attractive and very warmly environment. The Provincial Council of the North Central Province and the Sri Lankan Police are always in readiness for the safety of the foreign tourists, and there are very comfortable and spacious lodgings here for their occupancy.

Polonnaruwa

Polonnaruwa was the second capital city of Sri Lanka. After the capture of king Mahinda V by the Colas in 1017 AD, the kingdom of Anuradhapura came to an end. The Colas after the capture of the kingdom of Rajarata selected Polonnaruwa which they renamed as Jananathapura. Polonnaruewa had commenced its development as a second capital city during the Anuradhapura period itself; for during that period king Vasabha (67 – 111 AD), had constructed the Alahara Canal, king Mahasena (334-362AD) the reservoir named Minnariya and Kavudulu Vava, Aggabodhi II (601-611AD) the Giritale reservoir for the promotion of the agricultural set up. It is also reported in the Mahavansa that the kings Aggabodhi IV (658-674AD) and Aggabodhi VII had lived at Polonnaruwa during their period of reign. It is evident from the reference to Polonnaruwa as Kandavuru nuvara (the camp city) that it had served as a military outpost during the Anuradhapura period. Historians identify Polonnaruwa as Vijithapura, which was destroyed by king Dutthagamini, during his march against king Elara at Anuradhapura. King Vijayabahu (1055-1110AD) after his unification of the island in 1070 AD, selected Polonnaruwa as his capital and reigned there till the end of his reign. The reason of selecting of Polonnaruwa appears to be that Polonnaruwa was always a place of strategic importance. It command the crossing of the Mahavaliganga, the defence of which was vital against rebel focus advancing into Rajarata from Ruhuna: at the same time, in the event of invasion by a South Indian power, its position was distant enough to give time for the organization and manning of the river defences so as to halt the invading forces on river line, and furthermore, if those defences failed, to facilitate retreat into Ruhuna. There are a good number of ancient monuments which were built by King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186AD), a very great king of the Polonnaruwa period.

Transportation

Transportation in Sri Lanka is based mainly on the road network which is centered on Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo. There is also an extensive railway network, but it is largely a legacy of British colonial rule and is less appropriate for the modern transport requirements of the country. There are also navigable waterways, harbours and airports, including an international airport, located in Katunayake, 22 miles north of Colombo

Culture

The culture of Sri Lanka has been mainly influenced by many by religion and colonization by the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British.

Arts and Crafts

Many forms of Sri Lankan arts and crafts take inspiration mainly from the long lasting Buddhist culture. Sri Lankan art are represented in many forms such as painting including cave and temple painting, sculpture and architecture. These paintings are found in Sigiriya and religious paintings are found in temples in Dambulla and Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Other popular forms of art have been influenced by both natives as well as outside settlers. For example ,traditional wooden handicrafts and clay pottery are found around the hill country while Portuguese-inspired lacework and Indonesian inspired Batik has become notable.

National costume

The cuisine of Sri Lanka draws influence from that of India, as well as colonists and foreign traders. Rice, which is usually consumed daily, can be found at any special occasion, while spicy curries are favourite dishes for dinner and lunch. A very popular alcoholic drink is Today or Attack, both made from palm tree sap.

Tea Culture

Being one of the largest producers of tea in the world, Sri Lankans drink a lot of tea. Sri Lanka is also one of the best tea producing countries in the World. Tea is served whenever a guest comes to a house, it is served at festivals and gatherings or just for breakfast.

Traditions

Festivals and holidays

Festivals of Sri Lanka would leave most enchanting experiences on the minds of its travelers as the island enjoys the bright and colorful tradition festivals celebrated with full fun and enthusiasm. Mostly festivals in Sri Lanka are religion base and celebrated with same sprit among all sections of the society.
The people of Sri Lanka are so lively that there is festivity mood throughout the year, which is easily depicted in their celebrations, with vivid traditional rituals, ceremonies and a splendid extravagance. The exact dates of most festivals tend to change from year to year as they depend on lunar and solar aspect.