Owed to its multicultural heritage, the island of Sri Lanka is enriched with a vibrant and diverse way of life.The friendly people of Sri Lanka are more than happy to introduce you to the mouthwatering cuisine,magnificent art,captivating dances,toe-tapping music and dazzling parades and festivals Immerse yourself in the lively surroundings as you explore the characteristic and happy-go-luchy wonderland that is Sri Lanka.

CUISINE

The melting pot of diverse cultures that make up Sri Lanka contribute to an immense array of gastronomic delights. From delicious lamprais wrapped up in the aromatic banana leaf to succulent Jaffna crab curry,crispy egg-hoppers and mouth-watering biriyani,Sri Lankan cuisine is brimming with European,Middle Eastern and Asian influences.

The typical Sri Lankan diet consists of brown rice complemented by vegetable dishes,meat and fish curries,spicy sambols and chutneys. Sri Lankan food is infused with fragrant spices and most often cooked in coconut milk, which lends a rich creamy flavor to the appetising curries and gravies.An aromatic coconut milk rice is consumed on special accasions and flour based delights enjoyed by all are string hoppers,roti thosai and pittu. Tempting Sri Lankan sweets such as coconut rock,kapum,dodol and wattalappan utilise rich ingredients of jaggery,treacle,flour and coconut.Buffalo curd will treacle is another Sri Lankan favourite not to be missed.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

Sri Lanka claims a rich and extensive culture heritage.inspried by long standing Buddhist tradition and Indian influences, the paintings,sculptures and architecture of years past exhibit refined beauty and creative brilliance.The intricate details of the Sigiriya frescoes, paintings and sculptures in the Dambulla Rock Temple and detailed design of the Hindu kovils are awe-inspiring.

Ancient Sri Lankan art and culture is best represented in the heritage cities. Ambalangoda is renowned for crafting traditional wooden masks,Weligama for is expertise in lace-making and Kandy for drum-making.

Contemporary Sri Lankan artists frequently hold exhibitions at the Lionel Wendt Gallery,National Art Gallery and Barefoot Art Gallery.Dozens of up-and-coming artists display their works of art along the street on Nelum pokuna Mawatha in Colombo during the vibrant and colorful annual Kala polar art fair.

The merging of South Indian influences will Sri Lankan folk dancing, gave rise to the thre unique styles of dance that Sri Lanka is renowned for, Kandyan, Low-country and sabaragamuwa each varying in style,costume and drum type.kandyan dance is the principal from of dance in Sri Lanka.The movement of the dancers are reminiscent of animals and historic legends. The dancers move gracefully, adorned in unique dedicated to the God Saman, Other popular dances in Sri Lanka are Bharata Natyam and folk dancing.

Community tourism in Sri Lanka aims to involve and benefit Local communities,the rural areas in particular.Tourists get the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and way of life in a small village,while contributing greatly towards the sustainable development of the area. As tourists and villagers work towards a common goal, the villagers are able to enjoy an increase in income stemming from the development of the land. The importance of maintaining the traditional values of the community is stressed and this meaningful and rewarding experience aspires to ultimately conserve and sustain rural communities all over Sri Lankan.

Sri Lanka is a treasure trove of souvenirs and gifts and you can be sure to pick up an authentic piece of Sri Lanka to take back with you whatever you may be looking for.Take a day trip to Ambalangoda and observe skilled craftsmen carve Sri Lankan masks out of wood.These brightly painted masks are the perfect accessory for your living room wall

Modern shopping malls and boutiques carry a wide array of clothing, footwear, bags and accessories suitable for everyone.Sri Lanka’s handloom textiles and tie-dyed batiks in all shades imaginable appeal to fashionista from every part of the globe and the fine ceramic crockery,clay pots and coconut shel spoons are every home-maker ‘s dream.Sri Lanka is also one of the biggest exports of tea and cinnamon and both products are found in abundance for sale in all parts of the island.

With a gem industry that dates back over 2500 years, Sri Lanka is home to a dazzling 40 Varieties of gemstones and is approximately named “Land of Gems”. Some of the rare stones found in Sri Lanka have even been used to adorn the Crown Jewels of King and Queen in all parts of the world.

Apart from its trademark vibrant sapphires,Sri Lanka Is also popular for its fine rubies, aquamarines alexandrites, tourmalines, topaz, garnet,amethysts and cat’s eyes. Boutiques and jewellery stores all over Sri Lanka market an exquisite selection of silver and gold jewellry embellished with sparkling precious and semi-precious gemstones.Maintaining the highest standards in gem mining,Sri Lankan precious and semi-precious stones are among the best in the world.