Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Sri Lanka Visa Formalities
Entry & VISA Formalities
For nationals of most countries, visas are issued on arrival for 30 days. Extention of tourist visas is handled by the Department of Immigration and Emigration (Tel: 597511).
Countries Exempt from Visas
All the countries in the SAARC region are exempt from visa
A Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan
B Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria
C Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic
D Denmark
E Estonia
F Finland, France
G Georgia, Germany, Greece
H Hong Kong (China), Hungary
I India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy
J Japan
K Kazakstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan
L Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg
M Malaysia, Maldives
N Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway
O Oman
P Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal
Q Qatar
R Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation
S Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
T Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan
U United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Ugoslavia
For nationals of most countries, visas are issued on arrival for 30 days. Extention of tourist visas is handled by the Department of Immigration and Emigration (Tel: 597511).
Countries Exempt from Visas
All the countries in the SAARC region are exempt from visa
A Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan
B Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria
C Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic
D Denmark
E Estonia
F Finland, France
G Georgia, Germany, Greece
H Hong Kong (China), Hungary
I India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy
J Japan
K Kazakstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan
L Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg
M Malaysia, Maldives
N Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway
O Oman
P Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal
Q Qatar
R Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation
S Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
T Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan
U United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Ugoslavia
Destination Sri Lanka
Destination Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s idyllic landscape and a mercurial mix of opportunities make it the ultimate holiday destination.
May you have the gift of long life! With this traditional greeting, we welcome you to Sri Lanka,
the garden of Eden, “the original paradise, amid scenes as beautiful as the hand of God ever created”. Many a traveller before you, from ancient mariners and merchants, to modern astronauts and businesspeople, have been seduced by the tantalizing beauty of the colours and costumes of this land which, according to Mark Twain, were “All harmonious, all in perfect taste”
Today’s Sri Lanka welcome its visitors to experience the nation’s glittering tapestry of culture, and the rich abundance of nature, so handsomely bestowed, and to give credence to the old adage – that good things come in small packages.
Sri Lanka’s archaeological treasures bear testimony to a civilization that spanned the golden age of Periclean Greece, the Roman Empire, Mayan citadels, and Napoleonic grandeur. The resultant legacy is a culture embellished by the more recent influences of Western colonizers, and Eastern traders, producing a mercurial mix of races and religions, arts and crafts, festivals and costumes that enchant the visitor with their exquisite variety.
To these man-made riches, add the God-given blessings of nature: azure seas, sandy beaches, verdant hills, cascading waterfalls, abundant wildlife, a riot of flowers and fruits, coconut groves, spice gardens, tea estates – and no wonder, the smiles of this paradise beckon the visitor to savour the kaleidoscopic experience ever so much longer, lest he awake, from what must surely be a wide-angle dream in Technicolor! Ringing the island’s miles of uncluttered white, sandy beaches, where sun-seekers and fun-lovers are caressed by gentle, ocean breezes. Rising amid spectacular waterfalls to mist-shrouded peaks is the central hill region home to the world famous “Pure Ceylon Tea” gardens, and the legendary gem mines that produce sapphires, rubies, and a dozen other gems. As you travel from the lowland plains to the highlands in air-conditioned coach or car, a panorama of people at work or play unfolds. Roads share space with cars, carts, bikes, bullocks, and even elephants. The roadside is vibrant with life, and the lush landscape presents a palette of changing colours. Pause, if you would, at wayside markets, handicraft shops or batik factories. Or stop to watch craftsmen at work, gems being mined, tea leaves being plucked, elephants bathing in rivers or fishermen on stilts.
Colombo, the main point of entry, is a bustling metropolis of big businesses and small bazaars; while Kandy – the last royal citadel – is the cultural center and home to the legendary Temple of the Sacred Toot Relic, and the spectacular festivals of the perahera. Galle, the ancient port of Tarshish, is a town within a medieval fortress; while Nuwara Eliya, in the salubrious up-country, nestles amidst picturesque tea gardens and dazzling waterfalls. In the “Rajarata”, or king’s domain, are the ancient cities of Anuradhpura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Sigiriya – all treasured
Antiquities of a priceless heritage over 2,500 years old. The western coastline from Negombo, north of the airport, to Tangalle, in the south shelters a string of magnificent beach resorts and quaint fishing villages. At the many national parks, wild elephant, leopard, bear, and a host of other fauna and flora.
Cities and resorts cater to visitors, with hotels ranging from the luxury five-star class, international chain properties, to the much more moderate-budget hostelries. Most hotels offer a culinary extravaganza to pamper guests with a variety of cuisine from the East and the West, as well as local dishes that reflect the elastic tastes of seafarers, invaders, and traders that came ashore over the centuries.
The individual businessperson, and the group of conventioneers will both find opportunities to invest or trade under generous incentives offered by a government committed to promotion of Free Trade. Sri Lanka’s high-literate population, fluent in English and proficient in technology, and trained under a social system which has nurtured free education from kindergarten through university for the last 65 years, is one of the most competent labour markers in the world.
Sri Lankan’s know no word for “goodbye”. Thus, when the time comes to leave these shores, we will not bid farewell, but invite our guests to return – again and again!
Sri Lanka’s idyllic landscape and a mercurial mix of opportunities make it the ultimate holiday destination.
May you have the gift of long life! With this traditional greeting, we welcome you to Sri Lanka,
the garden of Eden, “the original paradise, amid scenes as beautiful as the hand of God ever created”. Many a traveller before you, from ancient mariners and merchants, to modern astronauts and businesspeople, have been seduced by the tantalizing beauty of the colours and costumes of this land which, according to Mark Twain, were “All harmonious, all in perfect taste”
Today’s Sri Lanka welcome its visitors to experience the nation’s glittering tapestry of culture, and the rich abundance of nature, so handsomely bestowed, and to give credence to the old adage – that good things come in small packages.
Sri Lanka’s archaeological treasures bear testimony to a civilization that spanned the golden age of Periclean Greece, the Roman Empire, Mayan citadels, and Napoleonic grandeur. The resultant legacy is a culture embellished by the more recent influences of Western colonizers, and Eastern traders, producing a mercurial mix of races and religions, arts and crafts, festivals and costumes that enchant the visitor with their exquisite variety.
To these man-made riches, add the God-given blessings of nature: azure seas, sandy beaches, verdant hills, cascading waterfalls, abundant wildlife, a riot of flowers and fruits, coconut groves, spice gardens, tea estates – and no wonder, the smiles of this paradise beckon the visitor to savour the kaleidoscopic experience ever so much longer, lest he awake, from what must surely be a wide-angle dream in Technicolor! Ringing the island’s miles of uncluttered white, sandy beaches, where sun-seekers and fun-lovers are caressed by gentle, ocean breezes. Rising amid spectacular waterfalls to mist-shrouded peaks is the central hill region home to the world famous “Pure Ceylon Tea” gardens, and the legendary gem mines that produce sapphires, rubies, and a dozen other gems. As you travel from the lowland plains to the highlands in air-conditioned coach or car, a panorama of people at work or play unfolds. Roads share space with cars, carts, bikes, bullocks, and even elephants. The roadside is vibrant with life, and the lush landscape presents a palette of changing colours. Pause, if you would, at wayside markets, handicraft shops or batik factories. Or stop to watch craftsmen at work, gems being mined, tea leaves being plucked, elephants bathing in rivers or fishermen on stilts.
Colombo, the main point of entry, is a bustling metropolis of big businesses and small bazaars; while Kandy – the last royal citadel – is the cultural center and home to the legendary Temple of the Sacred Toot Relic, and the spectacular festivals of the perahera. Galle, the ancient port of Tarshish, is a town within a medieval fortress; while Nuwara Eliya, in the salubrious up-country, nestles amidst picturesque tea gardens and dazzling waterfalls. In the “Rajarata”, or king’s domain, are the ancient cities of Anuradhpura, Polonnaruwa, Dambulla and Sigiriya – all treasured
Antiquities of a priceless heritage over 2,500 years old. The western coastline from Negombo, north of the airport, to Tangalle, in the south shelters a string of magnificent beach resorts and quaint fishing villages. At the many national parks, wild elephant, leopard, bear, and a host of other fauna and flora.
Cities and resorts cater to visitors, with hotels ranging from the luxury five-star class, international chain properties, to the much more moderate-budget hostelries. Most hotels offer a culinary extravaganza to pamper guests with a variety of cuisine from the East and the West, as well as local dishes that reflect the elastic tastes of seafarers, invaders, and traders that came ashore over the centuries.
The individual businessperson, and the group of conventioneers will both find opportunities to invest or trade under generous incentives offered by a government committed to promotion of Free Trade. Sri Lanka’s high-literate population, fluent in English and proficient in technology, and trained under a social system which has nurtured free education from kindergarten through university for the last 65 years, is one of the most competent labour markers in the world.
Sri Lankan’s know no word for “goodbye”. Thus, when the time comes to leave these shores, we will not bid farewell, but invite our guests to return – again and again!
Sri Lanka Postal Services
Postal Services
Sri Lanka has both regular government post offices which exist in every village (at least at sub post office level) and agency post offices (privately run post offices) in most big towns. For more information contact, the Central Mail Exchange.
Address:
Central Mail Exchange
D.R.Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10.
Tel: 326203.
Note: overseas mail takes approximately 10-14 day to reach its destination.
Sri Lanka has both regular government post offices which exist in every village (at least at sub post office level) and agency post offices (privately run post offices) in most big towns. For more information contact, the Central Mail Exchange.
Address:
Central Mail Exchange
D.R.Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo 10.
Tel: 326203.
Note: overseas mail takes approximately 10-14 day to reach its destination.
Sri Lanka Important Telephone
Police 011 2433333
Immigration & Emigration 011 2503629, 011 2597510-3 (visas)
Fire 011 2422222-3
Travel Information Centre 011 2503629
Directory Enquires 161
International Enquires 134
Flight Information 0732377, 0732677
Sri Lanka Tourist Board 011 2437055, 011 2437059, 011 2437060
Travel Agents Association 011 2421745-47
Sri Lanka Customs 011 2421141-9, 011 2470945-9
General Hospital 011 2691111
General Post office 011 2326302, 011 2320722, 011 2448482
Railway Tourist Office 011 2435838
Central Bus Stand 011 2329604-5
Immigration & Emigration 011 2503629, 011 2597510-3 (visas)
Fire 011 2422222-3
Travel Information Centre 011 2503629
Directory Enquires 161
International Enquires 134
Flight Information 0732377, 0732677
Sri Lanka Tourist Board 011 2437055, 011 2437059, 011 2437060
Travel Agents Association 011 2421745-47
Sri Lanka Customs 011 2421141-9, 011 2470945-9
General Hospital 011 2691111
General Post office 011 2326302, 011 2320722, 011 2448482
Railway Tourist Office 011 2435838
Central Bus Stand 011 2329604-5
Sri Lanka Events and Festivals
Events and Festivals Year
Sri Lanka’s deep-rooted and ancient civilisation endows the island with a legacy of colourful national and religious festivals. Hardly a month goes by without a unique national or religious celebration of diverse cultures and religions, celebrated with the flair of people with a genius for pageantry and ceremony.
The full moon (Poya) day of each month known by their traditional Sinhala names is of special religious significance. The exact dates of Sri Lanka’s festivals change from year to year as they depend on lunar or solar phases.
Sports events in Sri Lanka too attract fanfare. While Sri Lanka is internationally known for sports like cricket and athletics, an increasing array of sporting events including golf tournaments, water-sport events and motor races are becoming popular attractions in some the most scenic places.
January, 2007
Record Entries for Sri Lanka’s International Elephant Polo Tournament
April, 2007
New Year Day
From Friday, April 14, 2007To Friday, April 14, 2007
May, 2007Wesak (Buddhist Festival)
From Sunday, May 14, 2007To Sunday, May 14, 2007
June, 2007
Poson (Buddhist Festival)
From Sunday, June 11, 2007To Sunday, June 11, 2007
Travel Mart 2007From Friday, June 16, 2007To Sunday, June 18, 2007
August, 2007
2007Kandy Perahera
From Friday, September 08, 2007To Sunday, September 10, 2007
World Tourism Day
From Wednesday, September 27, 2007To Wednesday, September 27, 2007
October, 2007
Deepavali (Hindu Festival)
From Saturday, October 21, 2007To Saturday, October 21, 2007
November, 2007
International Surfing Competition in
From Thursday, November 16, 2007To Thursday, November 23, 2007
Sri Lanka’s deep-rooted and ancient civilisation endows the island with a legacy of colourful national and religious festivals. Hardly a month goes by without a unique national or religious celebration of diverse cultures and religions, celebrated with the flair of people with a genius for pageantry and ceremony.
The full moon (Poya) day of each month known by their traditional Sinhala names is of special religious significance. The exact dates of Sri Lanka’s festivals change from year to year as they depend on lunar or solar phases.
Sports events in Sri Lanka too attract fanfare. While Sri Lanka is internationally known for sports like cricket and athletics, an increasing array of sporting events including golf tournaments, water-sport events and motor races are becoming popular attractions in some the most scenic places.
January, 2007
Record Entries for Sri Lanka’s International Elephant Polo Tournament
April, 2007
New Year Day
From Friday, April 14, 2007To Friday, April 14, 2007
May, 2007Wesak (Buddhist Festival)
From Sunday, May 14, 2007To Sunday, May 14, 2007
June, 2007
Poson (Buddhist Festival)
From Sunday, June 11, 2007To Sunday, June 11, 2007
Travel Mart 2007From Friday, June 16, 2007To Sunday, June 18, 2007
August, 2007
2007Kandy Perahera
From Friday, September 08, 2007To Sunday, September 10, 2007
World Tourism Day
From Wednesday, September 27, 2007To Wednesday, September 27, 2007
October, 2007
Deepavali (Hindu Festival)
From Saturday, October 21, 2007To Saturday, October 21, 2007
November, 2007
International Surfing Competition in
From Thursday, November 16, 2007To Thursday, November 23, 2007
Economy of Sri Lanka
Economy of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has enjoyed both subsistence and commercial agriculture for centuries. Most of agricultural products were exchanged in trades with India, its closest neighboring country and European countries when the Portuguese and the Dutch dominated the maritime trade those times.
However, Sri Lanka's economy evolved in earnest under the British rule. The agricultural sector has benefited its efficiency in productivity from the foundation of plantation agriculture by the British during their occupation on the Island. Tea plantation was spread over the areas of Central Highlands, making it the most important cash crop of Sri Lanka. Apart from tea, rubber and coconut were encouraged to grow according to the plantation system, bringing about a mass amount income from exportation which enabled Sri Lanka to import food, textiles, and other consumer goods in the first half of the twentieth century.
After Sri Lanka shifted to the republican regime in 1977, economic sectors were privatized and opened to international market. Exportation of food and textiles became the vanguard product alongside agricultural ones, followed by tourism which gained dramatic revenue. But the political challenges inevitably made the Sri Lanka's economic growth uneven, particularly the ethnic disputes which became strained in 1983. As a result, a large amount of an annual budget was flowed into the defense expenditure for national security. The capital expenditure was accordingly reduced, marking a slowdown in economic diversification and liberalization.
The most important market of Sri Lanka's exports is the United States which demands a large portion of garments while the largest supplier of the country is Japan. India is the second-largest source of Sri Lanka imports. Other leading suppliers of Sri Lanka are Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Nonetheless, with its vicissitudes of economic growth, Sri Lanka is still considerably dependent on foreign aid and assistance in recent years, with Japan the biggest donor. Foreign financial aids mostly focus on education, health, legal reform, environment, privatization, and other infrastructure developments.
Sri Lanka has enjoyed both subsistence and commercial agriculture for centuries. Most of agricultural products were exchanged in trades with India, its closest neighboring country and European countries when the Portuguese and the Dutch dominated the maritime trade those times.
However, Sri Lanka's economy evolved in earnest under the British rule. The agricultural sector has benefited its efficiency in productivity from the foundation of plantation agriculture by the British during their occupation on the Island. Tea plantation was spread over the areas of Central Highlands, making it the most important cash crop of Sri Lanka. Apart from tea, rubber and coconut were encouraged to grow according to the plantation system, bringing about a mass amount income from exportation which enabled Sri Lanka to import food, textiles, and other consumer goods in the first half of the twentieth century.
After Sri Lanka shifted to the republican regime in 1977, economic sectors were privatized and opened to international market. Exportation of food and textiles became the vanguard product alongside agricultural ones, followed by tourism which gained dramatic revenue. But the political challenges inevitably made the Sri Lanka's economic growth uneven, particularly the ethnic disputes which became strained in 1983. As a result, a large amount of an annual budget was flowed into the defense expenditure for national security. The capital expenditure was accordingly reduced, marking a slowdown in economic diversification and liberalization.
The most important market of Sri Lanka's exports is the United States which demands a large portion of garments while the largest supplier of the country is Japan. India is the second-largest source of Sri Lanka imports. Other leading suppliers of Sri Lanka are Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Nonetheless, with its vicissitudes of economic growth, Sri Lanka is still considerably dependent on foreign aid and assistance in recent years, with Japan the biggest donor. Foreign financial aids mostly focus on education, health, legal reform, environment, privatization, and other infrastructure developments.
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