Cheap Flights to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is in Southern Asia. It is an island country in the Indian Ocean, south of India. Sri Lanka has many cities and towns. Below is a selection of the most important to travelers.

• Colombo - the largest city, close to the capital Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.
• Galle - a home for a Dutch fort, and a a gathering point for travelers from the nearby beach resort villages
• Kandy - the spiritual heart of the country, home to a tooth of the Buddha
• Nuwara Elya
• Haputale - small place on top of a mountain range.
• Trincomalee
• Anuradhapura - ruins of ancient capitals (partially restored)
• Polannaruwa - ruins of ancient capitals (partially restored)
• Kurunegala
• Ratnapura
• Jaffna - Northern Capital

Climate

Tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March) only affects east coast; southwest monsoon (June to October) affects mostly the west coast and mountains.

Terrain

Mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior. Highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

History

The Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced beginning in about the mid-3rd century B.C. and a great civilization developed at such cities as Anuradhapura (kingdom from c. 200 B.C. to c. 1000 A.D.) and Polonnaruwa (c. 1070 to 1200). Occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and by the Dutch in the 17th century, the island was ceded to the British in 1796 and became a crown colony in 1802. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; the name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972.

Tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted in violence in the mid-1980s, killing over 70,000. After a shaky ceasefire between 2001 and 2008, open warfare erupted again, with the Tamil Tigers finally surrendering in 2009. It remains to be seen whether winning the war can be parlayed into lasting peace as well.

Stay Healthy

• Vaccination are recommended for Hepatitis A+B, Polio, and Tetanus. Also, the Typhus vaccination outside of tourist areas especially in the wet season.

• Dengue fever: During the rainy season use mosquito repellent. When head and joint aches occur get a blood check. There is no vaccination yet.

• Malaria : Gampaha (e.g. Negombo), Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, and Nuwara Eliya districts are considered malaria free, as is the city (but not the entire district) of Kandy. Elsewhere, malaria exists and is most likely in Anuradhapura. In the dry season, using DEET repellent for a mid-day road or train trip to Kandy (including visits to the Peradeniya Gardens) or Nuwara Eliya should suffice. Risk increases after sunset. Malaria prophylaxis (anti-malarials) are warranted for trips to the north (especially Anuradhapura), east, and southeast (however some types are not available locally, and it may not be as effective as what you could obtain back home.)

• Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.

for more detials: Travel Guide of Sri Lanka