Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the island nation was formerly known under the name Ceylon. More than 22 million people of different religions and ethnic groups live together in today’s democratic-socialist republic. The official languages in Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil, and English is still used for trade and education. Favoured by the island’s location, Sri Lanka has long served as a hub for maritime transport between West and Southeast Asia. Before being colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch and later the British Sri Lanka was one of the centres of ancient Buddhism.
The Buddhist traditions can be traced back to the 13th century. That’s why Sinhalese Buddhism sees itself as a refuge for the original Buddha teachings – Theravada Buddhism. The connectedness of the people with their faith shows up today in numerous rituals, magnificent temples and touching ceremonies, proving Sri Lanka to be an ideal place for your spiritual journey, away from the stress of everyday life. You can experience this spirituality in our resort and let it inspire you during your Ayurveda treatment.
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Many impressive colonial buildings still bear witness to this period, even though Sri Lanka is trying to move from its colonial architecture to a more independent postcolonial architectural style. Sri Lanka has been independent since 1948, but in the following years it was shaken by a violent civil war between the Sinhalese army and the Tamil rebels. Not until May 2009 could this war be officially declared over. Today the different religions live together in peace.
In addition to its impressive culture, Sri Lanka is known as a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean. While golden sandy beaches and coconut palms line up along the coast, you can find tropical jungles, mountain ranges and steppe-like dry land in the interior. The Hill Country (or Tea Country, as it’s sometimes called) is arguably the most scenic part of the island and worth a visit. The beauty and rich cultural heritage of our country can be explored either on the excursions we organize or on your own expeditions of the surrounding region.
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The tropical monsoon climate with a year-round average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 80 to 90 percent is for Europeans, at least initially, something they have to get used to. At the location of our resorts near the ocean and on a trip to the highlands, in Nuwara Eliya or Adams Peak, you can expect fresher temperatures. During the nights, temperatures can drop down to 10 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it is advisable to pack some warmer clothing and a rain jacket.