Asian Paradises

— S r i L a n k a — – 145 – www.paradises.com — C a m b o d i a — Sri Lanka is steeped in heritage yet its essence is also a result of a myriad of influences from three colonial rulers. The Portuguese, Dutch and the British interacted with Arab, Chinese and Malay merchants, a combination that is amply reflected throughout the country by way of customs, cuisine and architecture. With a history that dates back over 2000 years, Sri Lanka is home to some of the best preserved Asian monuments and showcases no fewer than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, all remarkably preserved to surpass more well-known world-class attractions. To this day Sri Lanka's centuries old heritage lives on, in the culture and the way of life of the Sri Lankan people. The rich tapestry of cultural practice, beliefs and the traditional way of life renews and revives this island nation's historic ties, creating an oasis of cultural richness in the modern day. Sri Lanka has been known by many names. The early Europeans in Asia knew it as Zelian or Seilan, the British as Ceylon, and it has also been called the Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma and Pearl of the Orient. Colombo, the commercial capital has lots of open spaces and gracious colonial buildings. The governing capital was shifted in recent years to Sri Jayewardenepura, 15 minutes from Colombo. Other major cities include Jaffna, Kandy and Galle. Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka's first capital and the most important of Sri Lanka's ancient cities. Nature The southern half of Sri Lanka is dominated by rugged hills, while the north is mostly a large plain from the edge of the hill country to the Jaffna peninsula. The southwestern tropical rainforests are home to ebony, teak and spectacular orchids. The country has an abundance of fauna including elephants, monkeys, leopards, wild S R I L A N K A

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