What do you know about the country of Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka is a country you should know about! I was born and raised in Japan, not Sri Lanka, but I am of Sri Lankan descent. I intend to cherish my natural roots. I hope this blog will convey the charm of Sri Lanka to you.

Basic Infomation

The image above is the flag of Sri Lanka. Three years after independence, the flag of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka adopted a green line for Muslims and an orange (saffron color) line for Hindus. The lion with sword is an animal from Sinhalese legends of the country. The leaves at the four corners are lime trees, representing the Buddhists, who make up about 70% of the population of Sri Lanka. The population is approximately 20.27 million and the land area is 65,610 k㎡. This is 0.8 times the size of Hokkaido. The capital city is named Sri Jayawardenaprakotte.

World Heritages

Sigiriya Rock: The ruins of the palace of the Sigiriya kings, built in the 5th century, remain at the top of the rocky hill, and their grandeur and beauty fascinate visitors. On the way up the rock, there are murals and gardens, allowing visitors to enjoy history and natural beauty at the same time. Climbing Sigiriya Rock is a very interesting experience with some steep stairs. The view from the top is spectacular, offering a panoramic view of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty.

　　　

Ancient City of Kandy: The ancient city of Kandy, located in central Sri Lanka, is known for its beautiful natural environment and rich cultural heritage. Surrounded by mountains, the region offers spectacular natural scenery of valleys and waterfalls. It is also a place where visitors can experience traditional Sri Lankan arts, crafts, and dance. Visitors can also enjoy shopping for regional specialties such as spices and tea leaves. Another attraction in Kandy is the “Esra Perahera” (Festival of the Tooth), which takes place every August. During this festival, a spectacular procession of decorated elephants parades through the city, a spectacular and extraordinary sight that is very enjoyable and beautiful.

       

Old Town of Galle: The Old Town of Galle, a city in southern Sri Lanka, is a World Heritage Site that retains a strong European influence from the Age of Discovery. The beautiful colonial style of the city was formed after the rule of countries such as Portugal, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Passing through the main gate on the northern side of the Old City, visitors will feel as if they have stepped back in time. Churches, mosques, clock towers, lighthouses, and other architectural structures influenced by various countries give visitors a sense of history. Stylish cafes and general merchandise stores line the street, making it a pleasant place to stroll around. At the southern end of the old town is an 18-meter-high lighthouse from which you can view the Indian Ocean.

Food

Unlike in Japan, Sri Lankan curry is a dish of various types of curry mixed with rice. The combination of different curry flavors gives the dish a deep taste. The standard curry is a spicy, dry curry with a lot of spice. The staple food of Sri Lankans is rice. Unlike in India, curry is eaten with rice in Sri Lanka. Generally, rice eaten in Sri Lanka is long and thin and not sticky. Like the Japanese, rice is eaten with a variety of side dishes. Another characteristic of Sri Lankan food culture is that many dishes and sweets are made with rice flour. From noodle dishes made with rice flour to traditional sweets, rice is an essential part of the Sri Lankan diet.

Sri Lanka, being an island nation, has many dishes that use fresh fish. There are many seafood restaurants in Sri Lanka where you can enjoy rare fish and shrimp that you cannot find in Japan. ”Maldivian fish” is often used in Sri Lankan cuisine. ”Maldivian fish” is a Sri Lankan seasoning that is dried before use. It has a flavor similar to bonito flakes （katsuobushi）and is frequently used as a seasoning, making Sri Lankan cuisine more palatable to the Japanese palate.

 

 

I’m happy if this blog will make you interested in Sri Lanka even a little! I hope Sri Lanka will be one of your future travel destinations!