December 23rd.
Airport in Sharjah. Queues. Hospital-like room. The harsh lights of the lamps are unpleasantly reflected in the floor tiles. Passengers: black (women in overalls, many in veils that completely cover their faces) and white (sometimes dirty white) - men. Looks funny and jackets over them. Mountains of luggage - everyone is carrying gifts, obviously, Catholic Christmas is celebrated everywhere.
... Spitting lights screwed into the darkness. Sunk...
In a plane of cheap airlines - packed with Sri Lankans: they work in the Emirates, they fly home to celebrate Christmas. One of the stewardesses with a very Russian face.
- Where? - From the Cherkasy region. Chigirin.
I began to vaguely recall lectures on Ukrainian literature - it seems that some kind of writer was born there ... I didn’t remember.
Colombo is wet, warm and smells of gasoline. We were met by a guide, whom we contacted on the recommendation of a friend who traveled to Sri Lanka in the fall of 2010, and took us to Sunset Beach Hotel in Negombo...
Facts:
Population: 21.1 million
Life expectancy: women - 77 years, men - 73 years
Literacy: women - 90%, men - 95%
Universities: 11
Women gained the right to vote in 1931
Number of tuk-tuks (three-wheeled mopeds for transporting passengers): 3 million
Cost of a new tuk-tuk: US$ 3500
Waterfalls: 103
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The most famous native of Sri Lanka is (Michael Ondaatje). Born in Colombo, but lived in Canada since 1962. His most famous novel is The English Patient. About life in Sri Lanka, Ondaatje wrote the book “A Family Matter” (Running in the Family) and "Ghost of Anil" (Anil's Ghost).
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Everyday life directly related to social status. Monks wake up early to meditate and collect offerings. Zealous lay people come to temples in the morning. Someone goes to the gym. Tea pickers rush to the plantation. Traders prepare their kade
(tents located along the streets).
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Despite the condemnation of Buddhism, there is still an unofficial caste system.
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Story:
Ceylon, Ceylao- so called the country the Portuguese and the British, the colonialists.
Mahavamsa (Sinhalese historical chronicles) tells about the appearance of the first person on the island [actually the local aborigines of Sri Lanka - the Veddhas]. The Indian princess Supra Devi fell in love with a lion and gave birth to his son, named "Sinhabahu" ("son of a lion"). Sinhabadhu became the ruler of the state of Lala in India, he had a son, Prince Vijaya ...
The North Indian prince Vijaya and his 700 subjects were expelled from the continent on dilapidated ships. The reasons for Vijaya's expulsion by his father are not documented. According to legend, thanks to the patronage of the Buddha, they landed unscathed on the shores of Sri Lanka on the very day when he achieved enlightenment (according to other sources, on the day of death, Parinibbana).
Vijaya and his companions formed the basis of the first Sinhala kingdom that arose near Anuradhapura in the 4th century BC. "Sinha" - "lion", the Sinhalese are the children of the lion. The early settlers showed unparalleled engineering prowess, creating water reservoirs and canals.
In the III century BC. Buddhism came from India. The Indian emperor Ashoka sent his son Mahinda (Mahinda Thera) to the island to spread the teachings. Mount Mihintale is considered the place where King Devanampiya Tissa (Devanampiya Tissa, 307 - 267 BC) became an adherent of Buddhism. The first Buddhist missionaries brought to Sri Lanka a sprout from the Bodhi tree, under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. The tree that grew from this sprout is alive in Anuradhapura to this day - decorated with prayer flags and candles. This Bodhi Tree has more than 2000 stories of worship and care, being the oldest in the world.
The appearance of a Buddhist relic - the tooth of the Buddha - in Anuradhapura in 371 AD. further strengthened the position of Buddhism in Sinhalese society.
5th century AD - King Kasyapa (477-495 AD) builds a majestic stone fortress in Sigiriya.
In the XI century AD. The capital was moved to Polonnaruwa. And between 1253 and 1400, it was transferred to five different cities.
Buddhism is an ancient philosophical system and code of moral conduct. Buddhism in Sri Lanka is an extensive canonical literature in Pali and Sinhala, as well as versions of Buddhist legends, jatakas (stories about the previous births of the Buddha); particular cult practice.
There has always been an inseparable bond between kings and priests. Mahayana is practiced in Sri Lanka, but Theravada is also widely practiced. Sinhalese Buddhists attach vital importance to the Mahavamsa (Mahavamsa, Great Chronicle, one of their sacred texts), where the Buddha appoints the Sinhalese as the protectors of his teaching. In addition, an indirect reason that strengthened the adherence of the Sinhalese to Buddhism was the conflict with the Tamils, mostly Hindus. For some Sinhalese, the Mahayana is reminiscent of Hinduism, and hence the protection of Theravada is even more important. Buddhism in Sri Lanka is historically closely connected with the political life of the country. In 1959, a Buddhist monk, dissatisfied with the deviation from Sinhala Buddhism of the then prime minister of the country, killed him.
Protracted wars and internal strife prevented the islanders from uniting against an external enemy - Portugal. True, when trying to subjugate Kandy, the Portuguese failed - Holland came to the aid of the Kandyans. Her first ships appeared in Sri Lanka in 1602.
The next conquerors of Ceylon - such was the name of Sri Lanka on European maps - were the British. Since 1796, they became colonialists, in 1815 they conquered Kandy, becoming the absolute owners of the island. For the first time in history, apart from ancient times, Ceylon received one government throughout its territory.
Britain brought new cultures to Ceylon - coffee, rubber and tea; plantations emerged.
In 1948, Ceylon gained independence, and in May 1972, according to the new constitution, Ceylon was renamed the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka.
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source: culture shock
Sinhalese names:
There are two main categories: surnames of European origin that appeared during the period of colonization (De Silva, Fernando, Pereira, Diaz, etc.) and local ones (Premadasa, Ikanayake, Karunaratne, Ratvatte). Usually Sinhalese surnames end in vowels. All syllables are pronounced separately and in full (Gamagay - Gamagey, not Gamgey). The ending -gay- traditional for Sinhalese surnames.
Tamilov, like the Sinhalese, can be distinguished by their surnames. They end in a consonant, usually "n" or "m". Many Tamil surnames are somehow connected with Hindu mythology. Widespread variations of the name Subramaniam (Subramaniam) or Indran (Indran) - the names of the second son of the god Shiva. Many others end with – lingam (lingam), for example, Sivalingam (Sivalingam).
The Burghers
Probably the only ethnic group in the world that emerged as residents not of a whole country, but of a separate city. Offspring of colonial fathers (Portuguese and Dutch) and Sinhalese mothers. These half-breeds were not given the citizenship of their fathers, but neither were their mothers entitled to give them their citizenship. As a result of a typical Sri Lankan compromise, these people without a clan-tribe received the citizenship of the city in which they were born (hence the term "burghers"). Later, they nevertheless received the status of citizens of Ceylon / Sri Lanka. And today the descendants of the burghers are proud of their pedigree.
Sri Lankans are incredibly jealous of their own national identity and do not tolerate comparisons with Indians.
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Sri Lankan natives Veddhas (the Veddhas) or Wanniya Laeto (forest dwellers), as they call themselves, have been around for over 16,000 years. In the course of history, the natives were absorbed by civilization, but several families of the Vedd tribe still live in the forests. Even today, despite the surrounding civilization, they have preserved the primitive way of life.
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When meeting and parting use (Sinhalese) favored, accompanied by a traditional gesture: the palms of the hands are folded together at chest level, similar to the Indian namaste.
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Culture of Sri Lanka, - fine arts, sculpture, literature - is closely related to the philosophy and precepts of Buddhism.
All the country's prime ministers and five presidents have been Buddhists. Sangha (Buddhist priests) do not participate in politics. The supreme priests of the three sects (The Mahanayakes) have served as advisors to rulers from ancient times to the present day. After being elected to a prestigious post, politicians usually visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.
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Sri Lankan cuisine- spices, solid spices. "Bring me a fire extinguisher!" - the usual exclamation of an unprepared visitor. The best remedy if you have tried something extremely peppery is to drink hot water.
In the past, left-handers were forced to retrain and eat right hand only which, of course, led to stress. Now it is allowed to use the left hand for eating - previously considered "dirty" and serving only one purpose.
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Sri Lankan sign language includes head shaking. It's easy to take it for a negative. But in fact, this consent or approval is a short shake of the head from side to side, often accompanied by a characteristic hand gesture.
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The concept of "on time" for Sri Lankans it is relative, extensible and flexible. Expats have to get used to being humorous about “Sri Lankan time”, which is much more leisurely.
The Sri Lankans have a similar attitude to work: there is Job and " real life».
The usual thing is to do personal business during working hours. There are frequent cases when employees do not appear at work without any warning - later they give good reasons: wife / brother / uncle fell ill ... The first place in life is occupied by family and personal life. The rest is after. By the way - neither the Sinhalese nor the Tamils have names for cousins (cousins) - they are just brothers and sisters.
One of the most amazing and amazing countries for tourists is Sri Lanka. Tourists prefer to rest in this state, as there is not only a favorable climate, but also beautiful landscapes, which include not only beaches, but also tropical forests. The island is full of secrets and mysteries that are not so easy to solve, and it is these facts that attract many visitors. Many interesting facts are known about Sri Lanka.
Sigria fortress on the rock
Peculiarities
- The name Sri Lanka is very important for the Sri Lankans, namely the inhabitants of this area. Sri Lanka is translated from Sanskrit as "Blessed Land".
- Sri Lankans treat elephants in a special way, they can even give capital punishment for harming this animal, or for killing it.
- In the process of assimilation of Europeans and the adoption of European experience by the Sri Lankans, the so-called Sri Lankan burghers appeared, who settled in Ceylon (the official toponym of the state until 1972).
- Despite the fact that the capital is Sri Jayawardenepuru-Kotte, but officially the functions and duties of the capital are performed by Colombo, or as it is otherwise called "mango harbor".
- The country is one of the largest exporters of gems and tea.
tea plantations
Holidays and religion
- It is amazing, but such a symbolic holiday as the New Year is celebrated according to the calculation of specialists in this field and depends on the lunar cycle, so the celebration of this wonderful holiday falls on April. The most interesting thing is that the interval between the old and the new can even be a couple of hours.
- An important event for the people of Sri Lanka is the full moon, which is considered a national holiday, and on these days banks, shops and other institutions even stop working. These days have a beautiful name - Poya days.
- Despite the fact that in Sri Lanka more than 70% of the inhabitants are Buddhists, the inhabitants of this state are still quite loyal to representatives of other confessions and faiths. Residents of Sri Lanka who profess Buddhism revere the tooth of the Buddha, but it is so large (9 centimeters in length) that it could not belong to a person.
- Red and its shades are considered the colors of joy, celebration, but white, on the contrary, symbolizes sadness and sorrow.
Climate, rest, food
- The weather in this wonderful country remains virtually unchanged throughout the year or can vary by 5 degrees.
- In this country, there are all the opportunities to do summer sports that can bring a lot of fun. Such entertainment includes not only diving, snorkeling, surfing.
- Accommodation and meals at the hotel are an expensive pleasure for tourists, because in addition to the indicated price, a 10% tax is added to it. High prices for tourists also apply to places of recreation and visits to cultural sites.
- If you visit this country, be sure to try the famous national dish Kottu. The dish is prepared very simply and includes dough without yeast, healthy vegetables and eggs. Shrimp cooked in dough is also revered, which has an original taste and aroma.
- The most delicious delicacy in Sri Lanka is yogurt and fresh fruits (pineapple, banana, rambutan, tangerines).
Gem mining
public order
- The Sri Lankans are very strict about their health and have established a large fine for cigarette use, the fine is approximately $40.
- In this state, the speed of driving is also fixed, and it should not exceed 72 km / h.
Here are some interesting facts about Sri Lanka that may surprise you, because it is a unique country of color and diversity. Knowledge of local laws, customs, as well as cultural features will help the tourist while visiting this country.
Today, Sri Lanka is considered one of the most popular exotic holiday destinations. After all, a lot of tourists fly to this island every year from almost all countries. And it's not easy. It has everything for a great vacation - equipped beaches, fresh sea air, unusual traditions and rituals, a lot. But before you go on a trip to Sri Lanka, you need to learn a little about local customs, customs and customs. This knowledge will greatly facilitate your stay on this exotic island. Therefore, today I offer you to read, dear readers, the 10 most interesting facts about Sri Lanka.
Top 10 Incredible Facts About Sri Lanka
Fact number 1.
New Year on the island is celebrated in April. In addition to the New Year, there is another very popular holiday here, which is called "Poya days", or full moon days in Sri Lanka. This Buddhist holiday (the main religion of the population is Buddhism) is celebrated during the new moon. On this day, the use of strong drinks is strictly prohibited. In addition, on New Year's holidays, almost all local shops and cafes are closed for 3-4 days. You need to buy water and the necessary products in advance. This is exactly what happened on our trip to Sri Lanka - on New Year's holidays in April, all shops were closed, the street was deserted, there were no cars or mopeds on the roads. The next day after such silence, we saw a lot of Sri Lankans on the beaches, there was a feeling that we were in Russia, on our crowded Black Sea beaches. They tried constantly in the water like accidentally touching us, it was not very pleasant. Therefore, on such days, you need to make a plan in advance of where you will be, on which beach. I would advise you to go to more secluded beaches.
Fact number 2.
There is no winter, spring or autumn in Sri Lanka. Rather, there are calendar seasons, but the weather conditions here are always the same. The average air temperature on the island is 30 degrees. The difference between the temperature regimes throughout the year does not exceed 5 degrees. And here you can do all year round! This is a great joy for surfers, as in other places surfing is very dependent on the seasons. From October to April, they usually ride on the southern beaches of the island, such as Weligama, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa, and from May to September on the east coast - Arugam Bay.
Fact number 3.
The main shrine of Sri Lanka is the Buddha. The island has a lot of Buddha statues of various sizes. Many of them can be seen in the mountainous part of Sri Lanka - they are located on the tops of the mountains. We saw statues of Buddhas on the mountain and carved right into the mountain several times during our trip.
Fact number 4.
If you are planning to visit Buddhist temples, make sure you wear suitable clothing. Remember that your shoulders and knees must be covered. Also, shoes are not allowed to enter the temples. And at the same time, you also have to pay to leave the shoes for local preservation. When we visited, we were also offered to pay 100 rupees for each pair of shoes for storage. But we already knew these rules, so we took a half-empty backpack with us, but the woman who was on duty at the entrance, seeing our backpack, strictly forbade us to put our shoes there, and told us to turn it in for money. 🙂 Cunning Sri Lankans. I think if we stepped aside and discreetly put our shoes in a backpack, there would be no problems.
Fact number 5.
The underwater world around the island is very diverse. This is especially true of the east coast of Sri Lanka. After all, this is where the coral reef is. Therefore, this place is perfect for diving. There is also a small coral reef on the beach - here you can have an unforgettable time swimming in the open ocean along with big turtles.
Fact number 6.
Fact number 7.
Guests of the island often suffer from monkey leprosy. These minxes love to steal handbags, wallets, phones, hats, cameras from tourists. But the most annoying thing is that this animal on the island is considered inviolable. You can not show aggression towards him or shout at him. And God forbid chasing a monkey. This can lead to a skirmish with the local population.
Fact number 8.
It's no secret that sapphires are mined in Sri Lanka. Therefore, many tourists come here in the hope of buying this gem at a very nice price. But you should buy sapphires only in special stores. In no case do not buy stones from the enterprising local population.
Fact number 9.
Housing on the island is not too expensive. But the price for apartments here is usually quoted excluding taxes. In the end, the amount for accommodation turns out to be somewhere 10% higher than the one that was announced to you upon moving in. The choice of housing is large, but almost all inexpensive housing for 20-30 dollars per day is very old, you must definitely ask if there is hot water, since the booking system may indicate that there is water, but in fact it is barely warm. They also usually ask about air conditioners, since in so many rooms there is only a fan, which, as you know, does not cool the air in any way, but simply drives it in a circle.
Fact number 10.
Enterprising Sri Lankans (the indigenous population of Sri Lanka) mostly live off tourists. Therefore, prices for guests of the island are ten times higher than for the indigenous population. Remember that you will have to pay for everything, even for cooling water. That is, the price of a bottle of mineral water from the refrigerator will cost more than the price of the same bottle of water on the counter. We felt this more than in any other country. As soon as a local sees that a “white” person, that is, a tourist, is approaching him, the price can instantly increase several times! With all this, the Sri Lankans are very reluctant to bargain, this is not Bali, where sellers are ready to run after you, if only you bought goods from him. The Sri Lankans, very often, are ready to be left with nothing at all, that is, not to sell the goods, but they will not reduce the price. It is also not very pleasant that the prices for attractions for locals and tourists differ not by 2-3 times, but by 20-30 times! To be honest, I have not seen this in other countries we have been to, so it was a very unpleasant moment for me. Almost all attractions are overpriced for tourists. Like this. If you want to see a lot, then allocate a substantial budget for this.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful island country, very rich in natural and cultural attractions! I advise you, if you are just thinking about visiting it, be sure to include it in your list of countries to visit. Here you will find an extraordinary exotic vacation, where you can relax on the beaches and swim in the Indian Ocean, as well as enjoy the mountainous Sri Lanka in the center of the island. I hope that with these 10 interesting facts, your exotic vacation will be exciting and exciting.
Sri Lanka is looking forward to every guest from every corner of the world. It has everything for an unforgettable vacation. Snow-white beaches, clear turquoise water of the ocean, impenetrable jungle, exotic animals and plants, comfortable hotels and entertainment for every taste. This place must be visited at least once in your life to get unforgettable pleasure and a lot of positive impressions. Next, we suggest reading interesting and amazing facts about Sri Lanka.
1. Translation of the word "Sri Lanka" means "Blessed Land".
2. The old name of the country Sri Lanka sounded like Ceylon.
3. Milk and fish in the markets of Sri Lanka are sold not chilled.
4. In Sri Lanka, yogurt is sold in special clay pots.
5. Local people living in Sri Lanka adore such a snack as shrimp in dough.
6. The front seats on buses in Sri Lanka are reserved for monks and pregnant women.
7. There are free schools in this country.
8. Residents of Sri Lanka do not use toilet paper, but for tourists it is sold at a price 2 times more expensive.
9.Tea plantations are the most visited place in Sri Lanka.
10. Sri Lanka is considered the most favorite place on Earth for Ukrainian residents.
11. Tea is considered the hallmark of Sri Lanka.
12.70% of Sri Lankans practice Buddhism.
13. Team Sri Lanka in 1996 was able to win the cricket championship.
14. Sapphire is mined in Sri Lanka only in production volume.
15. Trains of Sri Lanka travel with the door open.
16. The star lotus is considered the national flower of this island.
17. This country has 2 capitals: actual and official.
18. The rupee is considered the currency unit of Sri Lanka.
19. All year round the air temperature on this island is almost the same.
20. Almost every store in Sri Lanka sells ice cream, because this is the favorite food of the inhabitants of this territory.
21. When buying water in this state, the store will offer to cool the purchase for a fee.
22. Smoking in a public place in Sri Lanka is prohibited.
23. The serving of dishes in Sri Lanka is interesting. When serving a dish, the plate is wrapped in cellophane.
24. A woman's smile in Sri Lanka is denoted by flirting.
25. Sri Lanka is rich in sapphires and emeralds.
26. The Sea of Sri Lanka is enriched with goldfish and corals.
27. Elephants are the symbols of Sri Lanka, so these animals are especially revered in this state.
28. Holidays in Sri Lanka are colorful and especially traditional.
29. The national cuisine of Sri Lanka took a lot from Indian cuisine.
30. More than 25 million people live on the territory of this state.
31. Popular in Sri Lanka are "bakery on wheels", similar to European "coffee shops on wheels".
32. Residents of Sri Lanka mainly move with the help of tricycles and mopeds.
33. Women on this island are born homemakers and housewives.
34. Sari is considered the main outfit of women in Sri Lanka.
35. The most important event for girls living in Sri Lanka is a wedding.
36. A wedding in Sri Lanka is celebrated for 2 days with a change of outfits.
37. People who want to dissolve a marriage in Sri Lanka are only 1%.
38. Most often, the New Year in Sri Lanka is celebrated in April, it all depends on astrology.
39. Residents of Sri Lanka do not prefer to bargain.
40. Sri Lanka is considered the main exporter of jewelry.
41. Sri Lanka is a world exporter of tea.
42.92% of Sri Lankans have completed secondary education.
43. There are 11 universities in this State.
44. Sinhala and Tamil are official languages in Sri Lanka.
45. The Egyptians first discovered cinnamon in Sri Lanka.
46. Standard gestures are not used on the territory of this State.
47. The emblem of Sri Lanka depicts a lion, which is the personification of Buddhism and Ceylon.
48. About 6 national parks are located in this state.
49.Sri Lanka is mainly an agricultural country.
50. Shambhala is considered an interesting spice of this state.
51. The flag of Sri Lanka is the oldest in the world.
52. In Sri Lanka, instead of thanksgiving, you should smile, because a smile is gratitude.
53. On the highest peak of Pedro, there is a television broadcaster of this state.
54. The famous writer Philip Michael Ondaatje is from Sri Lanka.
55.Sri Lanka is an island nation.
56. The wild cat of Sri Lanka with the name leopard is on the verge of extinction.
57. Sri Lanka is a paradise for wildlife lovers.
58. Coconut moonshine (arak) is considered the main strong drink on this island.
59. There are 8 sites in Sri Lanka that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
60. On the full moon in this state they celebrate a special holiday called Poya Day.
61. Umbrellas in Sri Lanka do not protect from rain, but from the sun.
62. Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean.
63.Sri Lanka has the highest literacy rate among South Asians.
64. Residents of this island do not say "thank you."
65. When divorcing a Sri Lankan woman, a man must pay her half of his own money throughout his life.
66. Buying an elephant in Sri Lanka, you need to get documents for it.
67. Residents of Sri Lanka do not swim on the beach, because they do not have the right to show their own naked body.
68. In Sri Lanka, only 20% of working women.
69. Yoghurt in this state is made on the basis of cow or buffalo milk.
70. Kindergartens in Sri Lanka are open from 8 to 11 am, this is the time mothers need to relax.
71. Residents of Sri Lanka do not prefer to work.
72. In Sri Lanka, it is customary to drive in the middle of the road, even though there is left-hand traffic.
73. The coastal resorts of Sri Lanka are considered a paradise for those who love seafood.
74.The Veddas are a small ethnic group that has become part of the population of Sri Lanka.
75. Sri Lanka's lucky numbers are 9 and 12.
76. An elephant in Sri Lanka has a price of 100 thousand dollars.
77. Pineapples are very tasty in this state.
78. Many spice gardens are located in this state.
79. Sri Lanka is a tea paradise.
80. The shrine of Sri Lanka is the Tooth of the Buddha.
81. This state became sovereign in 1972.
82. Temples and local residents of Sri Lanka are prohibited from photographing without permission.
83. Many animals of Sri Lanka are considered sacred.
84. To the equator from Sri Lanka, approximately 800 kilometers.
85. Food in Sri Lanka is similar to Thai food in its spiciness.
86. In 2004, Sri Lanka suffered 2 tsunami waves.
87. Gas, smoke and soot cannot be found in Sri Lanka, because there is only fresh air.
88. There are narrow roads in Sri Lanka.
89. Residents of Sri Lanka start their morning with meditation and gymnastics.
90.In Sri Lanka, the main thirst quencher is coconut water.
91. More than 70 varieties of fruits grow in Sri Lanka.
92. The inhabitants of this island rarely eat meat.
93. For the shape of this island, Sri Lanka is often called the “tear of India”.
94. The national sport of Sri Lanka is volleyball, even though cricket is much more popular.
95. The most sacred mountain of this state is Adam's Peak.
96. Electricity in Sri Lanka is produced by hydroelectric power plants, because there are many waterfalls in this area.
97. Once upon a time this island was called Serendip, which meant "island of jewels."
98. Looking at the elephants of Sri Lanka, a person will feel calm and harmony.
99. There are turtle hatcheries in Sri Lanka.
100. Elephants in Sri Lanka used to be kept instead of pets.
