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Sri Lanka E Visa System Now Online
Sri Lanka’s old online visa system is back! The new government has revised the process after the Supreme Court suspended a controversial new scheme. Visitors can now easily apply for an e-Visa through the reinstated system, simplifying the application process for tourist, business, or transit visas. With quick online applications and faster processing times, the e-Visa system ensures a smooth and hassle-free entry into Sri Lanka, making travel more convenient than ever.
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Explore the Beauty of The Sri Lanka
KANDY
In the long history of the country, the kingdom of Kandy holds a legendary and half-hearted place. Founded in the folds of impenetrable hills, in the very heart of the island, Kandy resisted repeated attacks by the Portuguese and Dutch, vigorously defending its independence, while entire portions of the island fell, one after the other, into the hands of the colonial powers. Protected by its geographical position and its isolation, the kingdom has long remained a landmark stable, preserving ancient religious and cultural traditions, which elsewhere starved under European influence before falling in turn under the yoke of the British in 1815.
Thousands of pilgrims gather each year at the Temple of the Tooth of Buddha, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, where they take part in the famous Esala Perahera festival. The city’s stubborn attachment to its independence has left profound marks on local life and the population. A citadel of culture and Sinhala religion, Kandy can pride itself on having the largest Buddhist temple revered on the island, housing the most sacred relic and its most grandiose festival. It is also the undisputed capital of Sri Lankan arts and crafts. Kandy is home to interesting museums and markets.
GALLE
A superb testimony of colonial architecture located in the heart of the city of Galle, the fort invites you to stroll along its well-preserved ramparts, from which you can discover pretty views. This vast construction covers the old Dutch quarter, offering a striking contrast with the bustling city spread out at its feet. For centuries, the port of Galle attracted merchants, sailors, and explorers before the Portuguese built a fort on the promontory in 1589. When the Dutch took the city in 1640, they expanded the fortifications, which have survived to this day.
The strong heart of the old walled city is a fortified enclave bordered on three sides by the ocean. The fort then enjoyed its heyday, housing families, administrative buildings, and warehouses. In 1796, the city was ceded to the English, who rebuilt the fortress. However, its influence declined over time as Colombo became the center of commercial activity.
Galle is a real gem. It’s a pleasure to discover this historic city on foot, listed as a World Heritage site—a former trading port with an exotic touch. Once the largest on the island, it features impressive Dutch colonial buildings located next to each other, along with centuries-old mosques and churches, majestic residences, and museums.
ANURADHAPURA
Faith and ingenuity presided over the construction of this ancient royal capital and monastic city, dotted with temples and dagobas and surrounded by vast reservoirs. Founded in the 4th century BC, Anuradhapura remained at the center of politics and religion for some 1,300 years, where more than 100 sovereigns succeeded one another. It reached its peak in the 9th century, and in the ancient city, immense dagobas, ponds, and ruined palaces offer an idea of its splendor.
The city suffered more than one raid by invaders from southern India, but it only declined after its occupation by the Cholas in 1017. Invaded by the jungle, it sank into oblivion until the 19th century. For more than a millennium, Anuradhapura maintained its rank, imposing itself both as the largest monastic city in Asia and the heart of Sri Lankan civilization. At its peak, the city hosted tens of thousands of monks, spread around ten monasteries, and was surrounded by a lay population, some sources suggest, that may have approached 2 million individuals.
The flourishing of its Buddhist culture and the audacity of its architectural creations exceeded borders and radiated throughout Asia, even making an impression in Europe. Even today, its archaeological and architectural wonders impress both in terms of their refinement and their dimensions. The vast archaeological ruins, massive stupas, and immense water reservoirs of Anuradhapura are among the most evocative sites in South Asia.
SIGIRIYA
A World Heritage Site, Sigiriya does not easily reveal its secrets, and you have to climb a series of dizzying stairs, clinging to the walls, to reach the summit. Along the way, we discover superb frescoes and a pair of enormous legs carved into the rock from afar. The surrounding landscape—ditches covered with water lilies, water gardens, and cave sanctuaries—adds to the attraction of the place.
Rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th century, the ancient citadel of Sigiriya, or Lion Rock, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Lion Rock is at once a fortified capital, a palace without buildings and gardens, and a monastery, all built into an exceptional site, harmoniously combining defensive organization with the amenities of a royal residence. It crowns an enormous monolithic gneiss, which dominates the surrounding forest by 200 m.
There are conflicting theories about its history. Buddhist anchorites were established in the region from the 3rd century BC, well before Kashyapa found refuge here, but the scale of this royal enterprise is astonishing. King Kashyapa had this impregnable fortress built from 477 AD. Having murdered his father, King Dhatusena, as heir to the throne, he feared the revenge of his half-brother Moggallana. He ultimately succumbed to it in 495, and his remarkable architectural achievements sank into oblivion.
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POLONNARUWA
Despite the brevity and tumultuous nature of its history, the second great capital of the kingdom has preserved some striking testimonies of its artistic apogee. The rulers of Polonnaruwa ruled Sri Lanka from the 11th to the 13th century, and it experienced its golden age during the reign of Parakramabahu I. The period of Polonnaruwa, though relatively brief compared to that of Anuradhapura, coincided with an exceptional flourishing of the arts and Buddhist architecture, under notable influence from South Indian cultures.
At its peak, the city extended for several kilometers along the eastern side of an imposing reservoir, the Parakrama Samudra (a huge reservoir made up of three lakes connected by canals), while 6 km of powerful enclosures protected its monasteries, sumptuous palaces, and both Buddhist and Hindu temples.
Strategically, the capital monitored the banks and bridges of the Mahaweli, maintaining access to the province of Ruhuna, which was in full political development. The nickname of “Kandavuru Nuwara” (camp town), attributed to it for a time, testifies to its role as a garrison and fortified military post. After the death of the great king Nissankamalla, the kingdom sank into chaos, undermined by mediocre rulers and constant invasions. Polonnaruwa was abandoned to the jungle in 1293.
The archaeological excavation and restoration work undertaken in the 20th century allowed it to obtain its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982.
(2k Review)
YALA
Elephants, panthers, crocodiles, monitor lizards, turtles, multicolored birds… the Sri Lankan wildlife is exceptional. And with 13% of land protected, the island holds on to its treasures, devoting significant efforts to the preservation of its environment. Sri Lanka remains a predominantly rural island despite its strong population growth and increased pressure on its land.
The national parks and reserves protect immense areas of wild animals within the framework of a policy partly determined by the Buddhist tradition of respect for life in all its forms, but also by the progression of ecotourism in an economically vital sector. The island offers an environment of choice for a varied fauna, from majestic herds of elephants that roam most of the national parks, to discreet panthers scattered throughout Yala National Park, and a wide range of often endemic birds.
Coastal waters are home to a quantity of marine species, including dolphins, turtles, and whales. While parks and reserves provide a privileged setting for wildlife, the most colorful birds and the most exotic animals can be encountered almost everywhere: sparkling kingfishers perched on telephone lines, domestic elephants crossing the fields, and enormous monitor lizards roaming the dusty trails of the villages.
(1.8k Review)
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