Blue Whale mother and calf off Mirissa

Sri Lanka

Welcome to Sri Lanka

The tear drop shaped island of Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean just off the southern tip of India. With its golden sandy beaches, azure blue waters and warm tropical climate, Sri Lanka is a year-round destination for holidaymakers seeking sun, sand and sea.

The island has a rich cultural heritage that dates back over 2,000 years which is linked to the origins of Buddhism in the country with magnificently constructed stupas and the ruins of ancient kingdoms. Controlled from the 16th century onwards by the Portuguese, Dutch and finally the British prior to gaining full independence in 1948, the influences of colonial powers remain visible in architecture and several forts across the country.

Sri Lanka is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot with a rich variety of endemic flora and fauna, and incredibly for a small island, can boast of large iconic animals such as the Asian Elephant, Leopard and the largest animal to have inhabited our planet, the Blue Whale. From palm fringed beaches to scrub jungles and numerous man-made lakes in the lowlands to tropical rainforests, cloud forests and highlands laden with waterfalls at its center, this resplendent isle is abundant in natural beauty.

Sri Lanka travel destinations - A herd of Asian Elephant at Minneriya National Park - Palm-fringed beaches of Tangalle on the south coast
Sri Lanka travel destinations - Colombo’s CBD with its heritage buildings - Colombo National Museum
Sri Lanka travel destinations - Beaches in Negombo - Saiing catemarans in Negombo
Sri Lanka travel destinations - Sigiriya Rock Fortress - The Vatadagaya in Polonnaruwa
Sri Lanka travel destinations - Leopard at Wilpattu National Park - Green Bee-eaters at Yala National Park
Sri Lanka travel destinations - Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy - Peradeniya Botanical Gardens
Sri Lanka travel destinations - Tea fields in the central highlands - The Ravana Ella Waterfall
Sri Lanka travel destinations - The 17th Century Dutch built Galle Fort - Blue Whale mother and calf off Mirissa
Sri Lanka travel destinations - Panoramic views from Swarmi Rock in Trincomalee - Passekudah Bay
Sri Lanka travel destinations - Spinner Dolphins in Kalpitiyia - Boat ride through the Kala Oya

Photographs courtesy of andBeyond