|
Sri Lanka is a rich and fascinating country that seems to have
everything a traveller could possibly desire. The country is one of the
best safari destinations outside of Africa with an abundance of wildlife
squeezed into its 26 national parks. There are verdant rainforests,
misty hills amid fertile tea plantations and miles upon miles of
dazzling beaches. You’ve got a perfect holiday destination squeezed into
an island a quarter of the size of the UK!
What’s more, the country is affordable and full of delicious cuisine as
well as intriguing history. The people have dealt with war, disaster and
all the challenges of a developing south-Asian country – and they have
done it with grace and humility. Despite the nation’s recent turmoil,
the country and its people are moving quickly forward.
As we wind up our series on this tiny tropical island, we reflect on our
favourite interesting facts about Sri Lanka.
|
|
|
Sri Lanka was first colonised by the Portuguese in 1505, then the Dutch
in 1658 and then the British in 1796. Finally, the country gained full
independence in 1948.
|
|
|
|
The oldest living tree known to be
planted by man is in Sri Lanka. Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura has been
tended continuously for over 2,000 years. It was grown from a cutting
brought from Bodh Gaya in India, the tree under which Buddha is said to
have found enlightenment.
|
|
|
In 2016, the World Health Organisation declared Sri Lanka as
malaria-free. Sri Lanka had been among the most malaria-affected
countries in the mid-20th century, but the country’s Anti Malaria
Campaign successfully targeted the mosquito-borne parasite that causes
the disease.
|
|
|
Adam’s Peak is the most sacred mountain in the country. It stands at
2,243m (797ft) and holds significance in several major religions thanks
to the curious depression at its summit, known as the Sri Pada or Sacred
Footprint. Buddhists believe the impression to be Buddha’s, Muslims
claim it as the footprint of Adam’s, while Hindus believe it belongs to
Shiva. Christians have also claimed it for St Thomas.
|
|
|
Sri Lanka was the second-worst hit country by the 2004 Indian Ocean
tsunami. More than 30,000 people were killed with over half a million
displaced.
|
|
|
Sri Lanka was embroiled in a 25-year civil war thought to have
killed between 70,000 and 80,000 people. The conflict finally ended in
May 2009, when government forces seized the last Tamil Tiger stronghold.
Recriminations over abuses by both sides continue.
|
|
|
Sri Lanka is the world’s fourth largest tea producer (after China, India
and Kenya) and third largest exporter. The country produces three main
varieties: Ceylon black, Ceylon green, and Ceylon white tea.
|
|
|
Lipton Tea was founded in Sri Lanka. In 1890, Glasgow-born grocer
Sir Thomas Lipton purchased 5,500 acres of the Dambatenne Tea Plantation
in Ceylon’s high country and began exporting it directly to his shops in
the UK.
|
|
|
|
Sri Lanka was ancient world’s leading producer and exporter of cinnamon,
shipping the spice as far as Rome. Today, it remains the third largest
producer behind Indonesia and China.
|
|
|
|
For its
size, Sri Lanka is home to an incredibly diversity of animal life: 125
species of mammal, 433 birds, 245 butterflies, 96 snakes, 97 lizards and
383 spiders (which includes 15 tarantula species!).
|