Colombo

Sri Lanka has an impressive architectural legacy that dates back to the 3rd century B.C. Ruins of ancient kingdoms provide evidence of a sophisticated civilization on the island which possessed advanced knowledge of science and technology, town planning and design, and valued the aesthetic beauty of the arts: marvel at the remarkable engineering of 5th century Sigiriya Rock Fortress; admire the spectacular paintings and statues at Dambulla Cave Temple, and see the towering dagobas at Anuradhapura, which were once some of the largest man-made structures in the world, second only to the pyramids of Egypt.

The later influences of the Portuguese, Dutch and British during their periods of colonial rule can be seen most prominently in the architecture of the churches, forts and homes in the coastal areas, especially the UNESCO World Heritage Site Galle Fort, as well as in the hill country’s tea planter bungalows and the railway line that connects the Sri Lanka’s tea country with Kandy and Colombo, the main sea port.

Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most influential modern architect, was responsible for linking the ancient architecture of this island with that of the modern world and is also renowned as the creator of the architectural style ‘tropical modernism’. Discover his spectacular works through our Bawa Gems tour: explore Lunuganga, his country home and gardens; stay at a hotel he designed, such as Heritance Kandalama which he envisioned as ‘an austere jungle palace’, and visit Paradise Road in Colombo, Bawa’s old design studio which now sells a range of arts and crafts and houses The Gallery Café, one of the capital’s best restaurants.

The culture of Sri Lanka mixes modern elements with traditional aspects and is known for its regional diversity. Sri Lankan culture has long been influenced by the heritage of Theravada Buddhism passed on from India, and the religion’s legacy is particularly strong in Sri Lanka’s southern and central regions. South Indian cultural influences are especially pronounced in the northernmost reaches of the country. The history of colonial occupation has also left a mark on Sri Lanka’s identity, with Portuguese, Dutch, and British elements having intermingled with various traditional facets of Sri Lankan culture. Additionally, Indonesian culture has also influenced certain aspects of Sri Lankan culture. Culturally, Sri Lanka possesses strong links to both India and Southeast Asia.

Pink frangipani flowers float in terracotta bowls, their sweet fragrance a counterpoint to the earthy herbal notes of the oil being gently massaged into your feet and body.  As you lie on a neem wood table, with dried neem leaves hanging from the ceiling to purify the air, you slip into that elusive state where body and mind are in complete harmony, the only reminder of the outside world being the soft sigh of the Indian Ocean in the background.

One of the world’s oldest forms of healing, Ayurveda — derived from the Sanskrit words for life (ayuh) and knowledge or science (veda) — originated in India more than 3,000 years ago and soon spread to Sri Lanka, where Sinhalese kings established Ayurveda treatment centres in the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

In Ayurveda, a combination of herbs, diet, massage, hydrotherapy and oil treatment is used to treat everything from stress to diabetes, migraine, asthma, arthritis and high blood pressure.  Ayurveda specialists will tell you that this form of treatment also helps boost the immune system, promotes a general sense of well-being and even helps delay the ageing process.

With many in the West turning from medicine which treats only the body, towards a more holistic approach, Sri Lanka has become destination for those seeking solace in the Ayurvedic principle of body, mind and soul.

Principles of Ayurveda
The basis of Ayurveda is the belief in a combination of five basic elements which form three types of energy or dosha within the body: vatha (a combination of air and space); pitha (fire and water) and kappha (earth and water).  Ayurvedic practitioners believe that illness arises when these dosha are out of balance, and work to restore harmony.  Comprehensive treatment not only includes massage, herbal baths, oil treatment and a special diet, but also involves meditation, yoga and music to help the mind and soul.

The pharmacopoeia of Ayurvedic preparations includes an amazing range of leaves, roots, bark, resin, spices and fruits, with familiar ingredients such as black pepper, ginger, cinnamon bark and sesame oil joined by many more esoteric items.  There’s everything from aloe to zedoary, with such exotica as black cumin, blue water lily and white poppy seed.

Ayurveda Practices and Resorts

There are around 6,500 registered Ayurveda practitioners in Sri Lanka, with around twice that number practicing informally in the villages. Specialised Ayurveda resorts cater almost exclusively to visitors to Sri Lanka.  They may opt for a minimal weekend stay, but are generally encouraged to stay up to two or three weeks to obtain the maximum benefit from a combination of pure fresh air, a largely vegetarian diet, yoga, meditation and individually designed Ayurvedic treatments.

In addition to a range of Ayurvedic treatments, Ayurvedic resorts offer yoga, meditation and lectures and the chance to learn how to cook food according to Ayurvedic principles, as well as go on excursions to nearby places of interest.

Sri Lanka is a fantastic holiday destination for those who like to stay active, whether you want to indulge in some exhilarating water-sports or climb a mountain. The island’s diverse landscape means that there is a wide range of adventure options available: trek through Sinharaja Rainforest; go white water rafting down the rapids at Kitulgala; explore Sri Lanka’s ancient ruins by bike or on foot; climb Adam’s Peak, Sri Lanka’s sacred mountain, or take the train into the island’s stunning hill country.

There are also many different sports on offer in Sri Lanka, most popular being the thrilling water-sports available around the country’s coastline: go surfing in Arugam Bay, one of the top ten surf spots in the world; try kite-surfing and windsurfing on Kalpitiya Lagoon; go scuba diving in the south coast, or snorkel at Pigeon Island near Trincomalee. There are also opportunities for walking – mostly in the cool climate of Sri Lanka’s spectacular hills – and cycling, such as exploring the beautiful inland areas around Galle by bike

Wildlife of Sri Lanka includes its flora and fauna and their natural habitats. Sri Lanka has one of the highest rates of biological endemism (16% of the fauna and 23% of flowering plants are endemic) in the world.