Formerly known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is one country where the British, Dutch, Portuguese and Indians have left their mark. It is also a multi-religious country. With Buddhism being practiced predominantly, other religions include Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.

A delightful mix of religions, cultures and traditions makes the island truly paradise on earth. Ancient cities, colonial architecture, art and monuments are something in abundance you can expect to find.

In Sri Lanka, Sinhalese is the major ethnic group that comprises 74% of the population. Tamils are the next community in the population comprising 12.6%. The remaining 13.4% comprises of Sri Lankan Moors, Burghers, Malays and the aborigines of Sri Lanka often referred to as the Veddas.

Family Life in Sri Lanka

For most Sri Lankans, life revolves around their family. In the country, a collectivist culture prevails. This means most people are group-centric and share interests, characteristics, and traits based on religion, ethnicity, gender, age, and education.

In such a culture, the family is the first group a person becomes a member of at birth. Therefore, the interests of the family are expected to come before those of an individual. Further, the actions of an individual can have an impact on the perception of the family by others in the community. Thus, family life in Sri Lanka is all about preserving the culture within the family and teaching the children and generations to come only good things.

Also Read: Sri Lankan Wedding Culture, Customs & Traditions

A typical family in Sri Lanka comprises of a husband, wife and their children. Though most Sri Lankans follow the concept of living in a nuclear family, the concept of living in an extended family is popular too.

An individual is required to value their connections with their nuclear family as well as their extended family.

In the extended family concept, three or four generations live together, usually from the male side. In most Sri Lankan families, the mother or the woman of the household has authority and is respected by all the children. On the other hand, the father or the eldest son is the patriarch. Age is also seen as a source of hierarchy. As a token of respect, elders in the family have to be addressed by children as ‘uncle’ or ‘aunty’.

Status of women in Sri Lanka

Though men and women are considered equal in Sri Lanka, it is usually the man of the house who is the earning member and breadwinner. While a man goes out of the house to work, women focus on the domestic sphere. Taking care of the house, preparing meals and raising children are considered their duties. Although with changing times, women too are allowed to go out and work.

Despite women participating in the paid workforce, their contribution is not evenly distributed. A high concentration of women is found in professions such as plucking tea, teaching and garment manufacturing.

An individual household in Sri Lanka is identified as by a wife cooking for a husband and children. Once the meal has been prepared, the man of the house and the children eat it first. Only when they are done, the wife is allowed to eat.

On the other hand, if guests are present at home, they are served first and then the husband and children.

Within local Sri Lankan family life, the woman of the house holds a great deal of authority, but ultimately, all the major decisions are taken by the oldest male member of the family.

Did you know? Sri Lanka was the first country in the world to elect a female prime minister in 1960. Also, women in Sri Lanka are given full citizenship rights.

Dating & Marriage

In Sri Lanka, most ethnic marriages are arranged by the families of the bride and groom. For the marriage to take place between two individuals, they are required to be of the same ethnic background and socioeconomic status.

The sexual purity of a woman also plays a crucial role in the marriage contract. For people who practice Buddhism in Sri Lanka, the groom should be slightly taller and older than the woman. He should also be educationally and professionally more qualified than the bride.

However, in Tamil and Sinhalese groups, marriages are slightly different. Cross-cousins marriages are popular. In such marriages, the child marries either the paternal first cousin or the material first cousin.

Raising children

Family life in Sri Lanka is only complete when a couple has a child of their own. It is mandatory for a couple to have a child within one year of marriage. Upon having a child, the infant stays with the mother. Most Sri Lankan families express a preference for the pregnant mother to have a girl child who can take care of the family and be a strong influence on younger siblings.

A newborn infant is nursed by his mother for one year. The child is also required to sleep with the mother till he/she is school-aged.

In the child’s early childhood, they are taught to develop feelings of modesty, shyness, fear and shame. The mother is responsible for their daughter’s discipline while the father takes care of the son’s upbringing.

Housing

In Sri Lanka, there are different types of homes, depending on the socio-economic status of the family. The people who belong to the low-income group live in small, stick and mud-thatched houses. Other materials used to make the homes include wooden planks and corrugated metal sheets.

There are also a whole lot of residential buildings along roadways, railways and beaches where the middle class and elite live.

Every community in Sri Lanka has their own public school, place of worship and a few shops to buy daily necessities. The wells, rivers and bathing places are considered important for social gatherings.

Also Read: Sri Lanka Travel-An experience like none

Cultural Diversity & Heritage in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s conventional culture is strongly influenced by the prominent religions present in the country. The everyday family life of a Sri Lankan is filled with humility and happiness.

The rich culture and heritage of the country makes it one of the top travel and tourism destinations in South Asia. Every year, people from around the world, visit the island to witness the sheer beauty, hospitality and lip-smacking cuisine.

We have highlighted a few points below which make Sri Lanka culturally diverse and unique:

Ayurveda: Ayurveda is not only a form of medication. It is a way of life for most families in Sri Lanka for over 3000 years. 75% of the island’s population rely on Ayurveda to cure ailments and terminal diseases since it is made from natural herbs, plants and oils. Owing to the strong influence of Ayurveda in the country, a lot of spas and clinics have opened up for tourists who visit the country.

Sri Lankan cuisine: A staple meal in Sri Lanka would be a large serving of rice accompanied by twelve side dishes including eggs, meat, vegetable and fish stewed with spices and coconut milk. Sri Lanka is often referred to as the land of spices since a large number of spices are grown, predominantly pepper. Owing to the use of spices, the food has a unique and exotic flavour. The people belonging to the Sinhalese and Tamil communities do not accept food prepared by the lower class.

Tea: Sri Lanka is one of the biggest producers of tea. Besides being an important part of the culture, tea is served to the guests as a sign of hospitality. Nuwara Eliya is home to some of the most beautiful tea gardens. Tea is also a major source of revenue for families in Sri Lanka. Women in Sri Lanka are involved in tea picking and processing.

Martial arts: 5000 years ago when the British ruled this wonderful land, martial arts was quite popular. Even today, men and women are trained in martial arts that combine combat techniques and self-defence. Two styles of martial arts native to Sri Lanka are Cheena di and Angampora.

Architecture & Crafts: Art, music, drama and architecture hold a special place in Sri Lanka. From castles and frescoes to monuments and sculptures, Sri Lanka is a gold mine for archaeologists and anthropologists. Besides architecture, art and crafts is also an integral part of their heritage. Mask making, handloom, lace making, traditional drums, lacquer work, wood carving and pottery are few things famous in the country.

What makes Sri Lanka a beautiful country is its rich blend of diverse cultural patterns that are derived from religion as well as western colonisation. The people of various backgrounds have left an indelible impression on the cultural heritage of the country.

In many books, Sri Lanka is described as the country with the most unique cultural traditions in South-East Asia.

If you really want to set out on a journey to experience splendid heritage, religions, culture, values and art forms, Sri Lanka has you covered.

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If you’ve visited Sri Lanka and witnessed something unique and culturally diverse, let us know in the comment section below.

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The beauty of the country is that it is both modern as well as traditional. On one hand, you’ll find people that are conservative and scarred by the turmoil of the civil war and on the other, you’ll find people that are peace-loving and cosmopolitan.

These attributes make it very tough to judge what kind of a country Sri Lanka is.

While there are plenty of elites discussing share prices over lunch, a hundred kilometres away, you will find peasants wrapped in a single piece of cloth working through the flooded rice paddies and low land jungles.

In the southern province, you’ll find European expats and Sri Lankans opening swanky beach side villas while up-north, local Tamils work day and night in tea plantations for measly amounts.

Meanwhile, in the chic cafés of Colombo, you’ll find the upper class of Sri Lanka wearing modern outfits and sharp suits. English is the most preferred language here. The people here are cosmopolitan and liberal contrary to the people working in rice paddies, Buddhist temples and fisheries.

Also Read: Sri Lanka- An Island Blessed with Cultural Diversity

Though Sri Lanka is modern, a large part of the country remains deeply rural. The local life of Sri Lankan men, women and children revolves around working in fields, visiting the local temple and having a square meal of rice and curry for lunch and dinner.

In the lower strata of Sri Lankan society, marriages are arranged after consultation with a professional astrologer. Despite the locals facing multiple hardships in everyday life in Sri Lanka, they possess a warm, friendly nature with ever-smiling faces, humble nature and the eagerness to help at any time. Sri Lankans are considered extremely hospitable and take pride in inviting people to their homes. They are extremely well-mannered and give high emphasis on family values.

Tea plantation workers in Sri Lanka

Tea and tourism play an integral part in the Sri Lankan economy. The island highly relies on cheap labour and thus most of the people working in tea plantations and tea gardens are the local inhabitants and Sri Lankan men and women that are financially weak and are striving day and night to make ends meet.

Here’s an overview of the daily life of a Sri Lankan tea worker:

Most of the people living in the rural regions of Sri Lanka are engaged in tea plantations.

There is a strong division between male and female professions in the country. Majority of the female population are not allowed to work. Their duty is to take care of the household chores and raise children. On the other hand, men are allowed to go out and work since they are the sole breadwinners of the family. However, with changing times, women have also started working. Not because they want to, but because they have to. Their poverty-ridden situation and misery leave them with no choice.

Instead of working in factories and industrial area, most Sri Lankan women choose to work in tea gardens or take up work as nurses in healthcare facilities.

Despite the women securing jobs in tea gardens, the shortcomings are plenty. There are no proper facilities covering education, health, economic conditions, drinking water and passenger transport.

However, the Sri Lankan government is working towards uplifting the lives of the Sri Lankan estate workers. Most of the tea farms and estates are in Nuwara Eliya and Bandarawela. The former is 125 kilometres from Colombo while the latter is 200 kilometres.

Approximately 1300 workers are employed in the plantation and live in the villages around. They make up Sri Lanka’s agricultural working class.

The daily life of Sri Lankan Families

The plantation workers live with their families in line rooms which are five or six small adjoining units. Each family lives in a house that is about 260 square feet. These dwellings were built by the British colonial planters for workers who were brought from South India at that time.

With the expansion of worker families, the tiny units had to be partitioned with brick walls to provide accommodation to married couples and their children. Sometimes, two or three families share a single line house. No doubt, the conditions faced by them are harsh and difficult.

Most families comprise of parents and their children. If the parents can afford basic education for their children, they send them to the public, government schools, and if they cannot; they just simply raise them at home.

However, most estate families do manage to send their children to school.

On a typical day, a tea plantation worker wakes up at 4:30 am in the morning so that he/she can report to work by 7:30 am. The morning usually involves preparing the day’s meals for the family and getting children ready for school.

Most of the estate workers children study in the same school. The children are required to walk more than one kilometer every morning and evening to reach their school. The reason behind this is that parents cannot afford school transport.

Their daily meal includes rice and a single curry. Kids are given milk in the morning as breakfast.

Once a worker reports to work, they begin plucking tea leaves at 8 am and continue all-day till 4:30 pm. Every worker is required to reach their target of plucking —18-20 kilograms of leaves per day. Besides the lunch break, no other break is provided. The supervisors howl at anyone taking a break during work for even a single minute. It is sad to see young and old women working so hard, but they have no choice because most of them are poverty and debt-ridden.

After a brief lunch break at noon, the workers are required to get back to work and continue meeting their harvest target for the day.

Early evening on their way home, they are required to collect firewood for cooking. Once they are home at about 5:30 pm, they start preparing dinner. This is the time most of the tea garden workers sit down with the rest of their family and children to have a shared meal.

Their day ends as they hit the sack at 9 pm, in order to start the same routine the following day.

Also Read: A Walk down the Sri Lankan Wedding Culture, Customs & Traditions

In the everyday life of a local Sri Lankan family, there are other hardships faced too. Some of them include:

• Drinking water: Every tea estate village has just a few water taps for the families living in every division. Most of these taps operate for just 1.5 hours. In order to collect water for their families, Sri Lankan women are forced to wait in queues. During the dry season, they have to walk to a nearby village to fill water. There is a major water problem faced by the Sinhalese villagers.
• Sanitation: The sanitary facilities in the village are also not up-to-the-mark. Two or three families share a single toilet. The healthcare facilities are substandard too.
• Education: Most Sri Lankan men and women living in villages are extremely poor and cannot afford education for their children. Most youths have to abandon their studies by 5^th or 6^th grade due to their poor economic status.
• Employment: As far as youth employment is concerned, children of estate workers have lost all hope of finding work in their parent’s estate. They instead have to take up menial jobs as waiters or helpers in restaurants and small shops respectively. Even for those working in tea plantations and fisheries, the wages are low.

There is no doubt that Sri Lankan people including men, women, and children living in villages and backward areas are living a very hard life. However, the government is looking at ways to uplift the condition of the oppressed and impoverished layers of the working class.

Despite all the hardships faced by the working class in Sri Lanka, it is amazing to see them smiling through it all. They are extremely courteous and go out of their way to help tourists visiting Sri Lanka.

If you ever take a trip to the island, consider making a visit to the Sri Lankan villages. The true culture and hospitality of the Sri Lankans can only be witnessed in the villages and remote areas. They may not be posh and lovely, but it actually brings you up-close and personal with the locals.

Also Read: Sri Lanka Travel-An experience like none

There are plenty of tea gardens that are open for tourist visits. Go to one of these and see the hard work with which every worker is plucking the leaves. The smiles on their faces speak nothing of their misery. They are warm, colourful and extremely welcoming.

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Have you ever lived with a local Sri Lankan family in a homestay? If yes, let us know your experience in the comment section below.

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From delicious local cuisines to the natural beauty of the places in the country, — travelling in Sri Lanka can be an everlasting experience. While traveling is most times fun, you might always feel clueless unless you figure how things function in a different country. This piece will help you have all the Lanka travel tips and plan a trip keeping everything in mind.

1. Don’t burn your atm cards away! SAVE THE BUCKS

Travel comes with a lot of money and one must try not to break the bank. This is possible, especially in a country like Sri Lanka. You can balance your tour out by cutting your costs because of the availability of options in cheaper hotels, food, and areas of the visit. First of all, balancing out is good. Save up enough to spend out at a great beach or a fancy restaurant that has a great variety of local cuisines to offer. Avoid the regular western restaurants while traveling in Sri Lanka, those are everywhere and aren’t the best that you might find in the country.

Take trains rather than buses; it comes cheaper and gives out the best view of the exceptionally green country. If you are traveling towards Ella, Nuwara Eliya, or Trincomalee, look out for home shelters that barely charge you anything. An average train fare is around 300 SLR, a water bottle will cost you some 60 SLR  and a meal some 400 SLR. It is mostly budget-friendly and does encourage a lot of money-saving for the stunning variety of places it has, where one might make better use of the money saved.

One of the best Lanka travel tips is that you shouldn’t shop too much. Clothes aren’t the best things that you might find out there. But if you want beautiful attires from the local places, then keeping some money is always nice. Mementos are very costly, both in the airport and otherwise. Avoid buying them, unless you badly want something. Don’t spend too much on tuk-tuks. Walkout smaller distances. This will help you save the maximum amount of money. Make sure that you go on auto rides by the meter, and not with a stated price on a bargain.

2. Food – Choose great food. Great Food makes every trip better

Quite synonymous with South Indian cuisines, Sri Lankan food is an absolute delight to have. It comes with minor differences in spice levels, mostly being on the higher end of it but is a relish any day. Rice and curry meal combos, dal, sambal prepared with dry red chilies, coconut, curry leaves, and a few herbs are the regular things to enjoy. Then there is the Sri Lankan roti which is very similar to how Indian bread is. Think about a Malabari Parantha or a Tawa roti and you have the perfect image of how it could taste and look.

This roti makes for a delicious meal called Kotttu which is the most affordable meal for backpackers and travel ventures. It can be packed easily and it is quite delicious and can be eaten as any kind of meal.

Again there are egg samosas, patties, pastries, and great confectionery stuff that you can have and pack for your journeys. The chicken is quite spicy, so do have a meal in it if you are a spice enthusiast, and so are the curries. Else, more continental learning food wherein you find something in the Sri Lankan bucket is certainly available for you. Prices of these food items can shot between 100 SLR to 500 SLR, depending on where you are eating.

Beach towns with a lot of crowds are expensive places to eat because of the ambiance and setting that comes with the food, whereas smaller towns in hill stations are relatively cheaper. So, Trincomalee would be definitely cheaper than let’s say, Galle or Colombo.

3. Alcohol – The best Sri Lanka travel tips can’t be complete without exposing you to the local brew

Local brew in Sri Lanka is slightly expensive. If you like rum, Arrack is what is enjoyed there. It is prepared with coconut flowers and has an amazing smell. The best part is that it comes in multiple varieties, so you can pick whatever flavor you want. Beer is widely found; Lion Lager is the best selling among those that come at a pretty decent cost. It’s also the only chilled beer available at the cricket stadiums but luckily it’s heaps better than VB. And more importantly, it will cost very minimal.

If you want to buy alcohol from bars, it must override your budget. Expect to pay about 460 SLR for half a pint of the local lion lager/Carlsberg at the top-end hotels. Imported beers will start around 595 SLR plus taxes. But that’s as expensive as it gets since ordinary pubs and restaurants will only be cheaper.

Great places to get alcohol from are Manchester, Carlsberg, and Playtrix. Manchester is not a top-end pub and definitely not a place for a quality drink. Cricket Club is good for a post-game talk. Playtrix has (rather did have) an extensive Belgian beer menu. They have scaled-down now but still serve it cold. Most sports and private clubs serve cold beer. The lite beer at SCG costs 9$ a cup and is barely cold.

4. Accommodation- Where to halt, where to go?

Accommodation in Sri Lanka is never a problem, mainly because it is a country where there is not a massive population present currently. Hotels and hostels are available and can be given out for temporary occupancies. Most hill stations have got quaint little houses that rent out (for a longer period of stay) part of their houses for travelers to halt and enjoy the country. These are not priced hugely but cost a nominal rate of 500-600 SLR. Then there are guest houses which are much like tiny hotels wherein they have great facilities around food, good connectivity with cab services and security.

People are genuinely nice and always extending to help, sometimes to levels that get you suspicious. Hostels are available too, depending on the vacancies, and charge modestly. However, you must take care to not expect more than a bed, an electric shower, and a mosquito net. In the lush green and clean environment of Sri Lanka, replete with freshness, a cozy room in a completely peaceful setting is a pure delight. The best part is that there are varieties of shelter houses that you can choose from, sometimes you also live with families and dine and share your living spaces. Exploration from a close angle becomes very easy in the comfort of a situation like this.

Lanka travel tips wouldn’t be complete till you receive a perspective on food. Food is always available in dhabas and restaurants nearby. You might just have to walk out of your rooms and help yourself with whatever you want to eat. The cities are mostly safe at the night, though it is always recommended that you don’t go out alone after 9. That is also because most eating places close down at 9 and you would love to not miss out on any sumptuous food that is out there waiting for you. Some bars close late but those are the expensive ones. Colombo has some of the best pubs.

5. Travel internally- Know your routes

A great route to follow for touring the country is to map the country out into north and south zones so that you can cover the entire stretch when you visit either part of the island country.

The north itinerary could be best traveled, keeping costs of travel most planned, in the following manner—> Colombo – Jaffna – Anuradhapura – Sigiriya – Kandy – Ella – Nuwara Eliya – Colombo.

Colombo is the administrative capital. It is replete with a lot of administrative buildings, the star city in the country and has great beaches. Jaffna is a city of ruins, historically vocal, and is situated on the northern tip of the island. Anuradhapura has amazing temples and a great religious spirit revolves around the place. It is highly auspicious, and people follow very definite rules while big religious festivals are on. It has the oldest remains of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya is a place of natural wonder. This place has a monolithic rock called the lion king. It is the eighth wonder of the world. It is huge, rises up in a staircase, and looks like a massive lion seated in the woods when seen from Adam’s peak. One of the most recommended views of the island is this place itself. Trek to the peak of Adam’s peak and don’t forget to sit down and grasp what breathtaking the view of the rock is.

Trekks usually takes 4-5 hours depending on how fast or slow you climb. But, once you reach up to the peak, there is no desire to come down anytime soon. Locals are very helpful. They willfully guide you to the top for a little money and sometimes, without it.

Kandy, Ella, Nuwara Eliya are perhaps the most beautiful hill stations. These come with a sense of old colonial towns in massive stretches of green. It gets extremely cold here, temperatures dropping to almost 0 degrees, so make sure that you pack adequate clothes and warm food while venturing out on these trails.

There are a variety of things to do here from rock climbing to horse riding, ziplining, jet skiing, etc. These places come with beautiful accommodation in the form of hostels and everything can be found the indecent amount of money that you might keep for traveling in this island country. The hill stations would be a treat to watch if you can devote more than 3 days for it. The rest do not take more time, just a couple of hours and you can wrap up.

A southern itinerary can be planned in this way-

Colombo – Hikkaduwa – Galle – Mirissa – Tangalle – Tissa – Nuwara Eliya – Kandy – Colombo 

If you have a month, you could do both of these routes plus add in one or all of the coastal towns of Arugam Bay, Negombo, or Trincomalee. One thing to know is that once you’ve done the major things in a city, there’s very little reason to stay.

For example, Tissa is the gateway to Yala National Park. Tour operators run most tours in the early morning (a higher chance of seeing animals) so if you take one of those tours, you could be on a bus moving on to your next destination by lunchtime. There’s really not much else in the town. Galle is more of a day trip from a nearby beach town than a place to spend a few days.

Trincomalee is perhaps the most recommended place for tourists. This incredibly stunning beach is in itself an experience. Stones, water, and stretches of green make for the most perfect experience on a summer day. Snorkeling is allowed for most parts of the day and there are trainers who are present all the time to help you get an experience of underwaters.

The great Sri Lankan travel comes with more surprises than what is usually expected, partly because not a lot of people know how much the place has to offer in terms of natural aesthetics and beauty. The great Sri Lankan travel tip, therefore, is to not try to figure too much into everything but take a train and hit away.

6. Temples- Touching the auspicious air

The history of Sri Lanka is a source of great pride to both Sinhalese and Tamils therefore many amazing historical temples are found in Sri Lanka. All over the world, they are famous and many visitors are interested in watching these marvelous structures, paintings, statues, etc in their own ways. There are set rules for entering a temple. Sinhalese people are very particular about religious affairs and as tourists, you must take care to not offend their religious sentiments.

The idea of entering a space that is so pious brings a lot of responsibility and this can be done by showing reverence in manners which they approve of, partly because we aren’t exactly aware of why they do a tradition a certain way. Shoes and socks must be removed before entering temples and bags must be submitted to the bag counters.

Anuradhapura witnesses a great number of people who flock for religious ceremonies. It looks like a religious fest and Sinhalese are proud of it. Being cordial in the inner spaces of the temple, talking with sincerity, and feeling like one of them are ways to getting fused in the energy of the crowd. Some of the most beautiful temples that you can always visit are the Munnessaram temple, the Muthiyagana temple, and Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth.

Thousands of years of Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian heritage can be found in temples great and small that dot this small and devoutly spiritual island. The big daddy of all Sri Lankan temples in Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth is said to contain a tooth belonging to none other than the Buddha himself, but even the smallest of village temples can offer up beautiful artistic beauty carved by artisans centuries ago – as well as a fascinating insight into Sri Lankan religious culture. Some of the larger temples play host to important festivals and timing your visit to coincide with one is likely to be the highlight of your Sri Lankan journey.

7. Places to visit – Trees, lands, and cultures

Sri Lanka’s growth in tourism has no sign to stop sooner or later. The Ceylon Tourist board promotes as much tourism as it can as it ideally should, considering the richness of the country. Every place has got a great cultural call, it has one thing or the other to offer.

Bentota, Galle, Trincomalee, Colombo have great beaches, each differing in look and feel. Then there are others like Negombo, Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Mirissa, Dickwella, Polhena, Nilaveli, Batticaloa, Arugambay, Kalkudah, and Pasekudah.

Then there is Anuradhapura, Kandy, Dambulla, the enriched colonial architecture, the eight kingdoms of ancient age, several sites declared as heritage sites by UNESCO, and the ancient rock fortress at Sigiriya. The historical places will leave you spellbound for the kind of agility that still lives on, in the stature of these.

Sri Lanka is also known for the exotic beaches and the golden sun shining all around the year. Located in the Indian Ocean, watch the golden sunrise and sunsets, surf on the waves, do diving among the splendid coral reefs and spend the best times on the idyllic beach relaxing.

Sri Lanka boasts of some great National Parks such as Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, Wilpattu National Park, Minneriya National Park, Udawalawe National Park, and Horton Planes. Visit them and go on a jungle safari to have an adventurous experience of witnessing the wildlife of the country. Not only limited to these Sri Lanka has many more places to visit. It has something to offer to every kind of tourist- nature lover, kids, adventurous or any other kind.

Sri Lanka as a country is a packed island, that can be toured fully covering the entire stretch, north-south, and east-west in a period of a month. If you are willing to take a holiday where you feel like you want to visit the best places because of the paucity of time, then Galle, Ella, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya are the best places to go.

Galle is one of the places you must definitely visit. The main city with not much charm and not much to do. Galle Fort is the small enclave surrounded by a fort. It’s super charming with lots of restaurants and coffee shops (and shopping). It even has a small beach. The whole area is wonderful to hang out a couple of days in to catch up on some R&R.

Also, if Sigiriya isn’t in your budget, go to Pidurangala Rock instead. It’s not too far from Sigiriya and it costs about $1 to get in. If you love a climbing challenge (with 5000 steps), head to Adam’s Peak. It is perhaps one of the best treks to climb. The deep caves twirled with historical remains would make you take massive breathless steps along with tiny ones. But, all efforts bear fruit till you hit the top which gives you the most wonderful view ever.

These tourist places are spread across a wide area, so you at least need to travel 3.5 hours on the train to make a transit from one place. Preferably, base yourself in Colombo and map out which way you might want to head.

8. Tap water – Buy the bottles away

Local people usually drink tap water, but it is suggestive that your body microorganisms might have a hard time suiting to that. Buying bottles of water is always a good way to avoid that. It costs a little more than what a bottle of water costs in most other Asian countries but there are plenty of options in that.

For something as basic and important as water, we suggest you spend a few bucks and cost cut a little on your shopping. Water is generally clean and can be used in situations where bottled water is unavailable (which is never mostly so). A very common travel tip for Sri Lanka is that there might be the hardness in the water, so you have to adjust to the tap water, it always takes a while till you adapt to the same.

9. ATMs and Banks- Always carry the extra cash

ATMs and banks are never a problem. They are present at decent distances. Only your card needs to have an international transaction facility and you are good to go. Most people prefer using the Bank of Ceylon. Banks close at 3 pm, so you will need to visit them before they shut down.

10. Plug Points and electrical sockets in Sri Lanka- Did we hear gadgets?

Plug sockets of two kinds – one with round holes (type D / M) and the other with rectangular prongs, which can easily fit UK plugs (type G socket) are available in Sri Lanka. A universal adapter is usually not required there. Indian as well as European plugs (both plug type C) work in Sri Lanka without a problem. But certainly, the best thing always is obviously carrying a good quality universal adapter so that you don’t end up harming your gadgets.

11. And the question everyone wants an answer to – Is Sri Lanka safe for solo women travelers?

Sri Lanka, for the most records, has been a safer country for women. You will find numerous lady travelers traveling solo in full safety. Usually, it is suggested that you always keep yourself alert of any danger that might tend to come your way when you are traveling, but people out there are mostly nice, and take care not to offend you. They are speculative but do not take further steps to cause anyone trouble.

However, with the increasing incidents of morality violations that we hear all over the world, it is always good that one dresses modestly and sensibly enough to not send out any wrong signal. This is because Sri Lanka as a country is quite traditional in beliefs and that is why one must behave the way it is expected of you, be it in the manner you talk or dress or present yourself. People who like to wear clothes that aren’t modest must opt for a temporary change once they land in the country. It is always nice to buy a few traditional skirts which women around that place prefer wearing, both at work and for casual day-outs.

Always keep a torch if you are traveling alone at night. There will be times when locals would want to know you and you don’t know who to trust. There is no formula for being prone to a bad situation. You can only hope that you aren’t close to any and therefore, do most things in your hands to prevent any unforeseen circumstance.

Tuk-tuk drivers are usually polite and understand bits of English. There are locals who are very forward to help and can always guide you if you feel stuck on the road. Always talk to hotel managers if you receive trouble communicating with the subordinate staff. Likewise, always have a point of reference(someone like a known person who you can speak with) because that helps in breaking down a good number of things that you might keep interpreting while trying to communicate with anyone, on the road, on the train or at the hotel. 

Appear confident, easy, and alert while you are interacting with yourself. Appear like someone who can take charge of things if they come for you. Do not give away too much personal information but keep social exchanges very limited, unless you have known that person for a considerably longer time. Local men try to befriend tourists and that is the case in most places, but as a rule of thumb, be careful even if you want to engage with them. At times, they are incredibly nice people but never make yourself uneasy and hook on a conversation if that does not suit your state.

You are 95% safe even as a female traveler. But you have to be careful with a few things. Mostly Tuk tuks in Colombo(They will tell you higher prices always you have to bargain the price). There is zero violence against tourists but to be honest most of the time you get cheated.

Why must you visit Sri Lanka ASAP?

Traveling to Sri Lanka is a beautiful experience. It has the best of green, people and ambiance. With the travel tips that we have put out for you, there barely remains anything that you now don’t know about this culturally rich place. It is magnificent in the location and that remains a known fact.

The originality, hospitality, and the generosity of people, as well as the diversity of weather and the ecosystem, would be the highlight of Sri Lanka. It is such a small country with a vast variety of weather. One can go from a single place to another in around 3 hours and everything changes. The trees, the animals, the temperature the people the surroundings, etc. on the coast in Colombo it is around 30 degrees Celsius on average and up in the hills in Nuwara Eliya, it drops to around 10 – 15 degrees Celsius.

There are stylistic variations in the setting of different places. There are midsized European architecture-inspired towns like Kandy, there are extremely beautiful beaches, there is a lasting impression of a smooth population, not very ambitious in their outlook and hence very peaceful in their own ways of living.

Sri Lanka, for the most part, would be best described as a country that feels very self-sufficient and content in its ways of carrying its daily lives out. Barred of much interference, a tourist can just pack their bags and venture out to meet the local populace. They are an extremely generous bunch, always helpful and sweet. They have a lot of affinity for Indians, because of the geographical proximity and a general commonality in terms of culture that south India and the island country share.

A Sri Lanka travel experience comes with a minimum cost, overall. Sri Lanka travels also help to explore multiple facets of geography because of the wide diversifications in terms of natural fauna and flora. It has a great scheme of things to offer — from beach experiences to marvelous resorts to absolutely delicious cuisines. It has, more than anything, really great people.

Set your calendars, make your plans, and hit it off. Lanka is waiting for you.

The post Sri Lanka Travel – An experience like none other appeared first on Sri Lanka Tourism.

Popularly known as the “teardrop of India”, Sri Lanka leaves visitors awestruck with their beautiful representation of grace and heritage into their weddings. For many decades now, Sri Lanka has garnered visitors from across the world — experiencing their rich culture and heritage was part of their checklist too.

Sri Lankan weddings are a worthwhile experience — where ceremonies require days of preparation. What was once limited to a divine alliance between two individuals has now become an extravagant affair. People from the Indian subcontinent, especially, have made it look grandiose. 

Celebrated with much pomp, the traditional Sri Lankan wedding culture cannot be given a miss. 

To go back further in time, a Sinhalese marriage had similar laws to those practiced in the Hindu laws. But, as Buddhism spread across the country in the early third century B.C, the marriage laws and customs, and the legal position of women underwent a drastic change — primarily known for improvement. 

Before we take you on a walk down the Sri Lankan Wedding culture, the following groups that reside in Sri Lanka need a bit of understanding. 

Ethnic Groups Residing in Sri Lanka

Ranked the 58th most populous country in the world, Sri Lanka has various ethnic groups finding shelter across the island. 

The largest of all — the Sinhalese, is followed by the Sri Lankan Tamils, Muslims, Indian Tamils, and so on. All that said, following is a quick overview on the aforementioned ethnic groups that currently reside in Sri Lanka.

Sinhalese

Sinhalas are the people believed to have originated from the times of Prince Vanga. The Sinhalese were then organized in kingdoms, and driven by their hereditary kings. 

A community known for speaking Sinhala or Helabasa, Sinhalese have been recognized by their skills in fine arts, literature, and dancing, just to name a few. For self-defense, this community also mastered a form of martial arts called ‘Angampora.’

Sri Lankan Tamils

Commonly referred to as the original inhabitants of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Tamils are genetically linked with Sinhalese. However, they are significantly different in terms of culture. Based on the geographical location, Sri Lankan Tamils are subdivided into three separate groups – Negombo Tamils, Eastern Tamils, and Jaffna Tamils.

The numbers are staggering; close to about 80% of Tamilians are believed to be Hindus, while the larger part of the remaining 20% practice Roman Catholics.

Sri Lankan Moors

The largest ethnic group belonging to the Muslim community, the Sri Lankan Moors — is closely associated with Tamil speakers and a few facets of the Arab culture. The Moors are known to have borrowed their tradition from the Arabs — a tradition that allows people to share large plates during wedding ceremonies.

Indian Moors

Believed to have migrated from India during the British colonial period, Indian Moors have a rich history serving as plantation laborers. The majority comprises of Islam — with the religion defining the traditions. Moreover, Indian Moors have been reduced to a point where they were counted as termed “others” in the 1981 census.

Also Read: Sri Lanka Travel-An experience like none

Sri Lankan Wedding Ceremonies

Pre-Buddhist Era

During the British rule in Sri Lanka, ‘Kandyan’ was prevalent. Kandyans are natives of Kandy, a city famous for ‘Temple of The Tooth Relic’.

Polygamy and polyandry were famous in this bygone era. Moreover, marriages such as group and trial were common too. Divorce laws were simpler — be it, men or women — anyone could dissolve the marital tie, at their will and pleasure.

Sri Lankan-Buddhist Wedding Culture

Weddings are more than just social events. The solemn rituals and traditions play a prominent role in the Sri Lankan ceremonies. Every Sinhalese-Buddhist wedding ceremony is swamped with customs and traditions which are passed down from generation to generation. Although only a handful of ceremonies seem to have been changed, observing the nakath and Poruwa siritha is mandatory. 

Following are the customs, traditions, and culture of a Sri Lankan wedding that is famous for a variety of reasons.

Nekatha – The Auspicious Time

The Nekatha also referred to as the auspicious time, is a very important part of a Buddhist wedding. The date and nekatha of a wedding are usually decided by an astrologer after examining the horoscopes of the bride and the groom. The birth date/time of the pair also plays an indispensable role in deciding the time and day of the wedding.

Poruwa Ceremony

Once the nekatha for the wedding has been finalized by an astrologer, the Poruwa ceremony will be held according to that. A traditional Sinhala-Buddhist marriage ceremony is referred to by many as Poruwa siritha.

British formally created registered marriages in the 1870s, and since then Poruwa siritha is considered as a recognised marriage agreement in Sri Lanka. The ceremony borrows traditions from different Sri Lankan communities and is a beautiful concoction of wedding customs practiced by Tamils and Sinhala people.

The decorations for a Poruwa ceremony include an elegantly adorned altar made of four wooden pillars clubbed with the bride and groom standing underneath a hanging roof.

As the ceremony starts, the bride and the groom walk up together to the Poruwa, keeping their right foot forward and facing towards the guests. The guests are seated separately based on their relationship with the couple. Generally, the bride’s side is seated on the right side while the groom’s side is seated on the left.

The groom is escorted to the wedding location with a group of drummers and typical Kandyan dancers. We have an elephant all decked up for the groom to sit and admire the procession from the best seat in the house. The bride and the groom greet each other with their palms held together in a traditional manner. 

The ceremony is off to a grand start by offering a sheaf of betel leaves to the couple, which they hold and then return those — only to be used during the Poruwa.

Also Read: Mirissa’s Secret Beach

Auspicious ‘Seven’

The seven betel leaf bundles are offered to God, as a request to protect the lives of seven generations beginning from their marriage. 

Much like the Hindu customs, the bride’s father places the right hand of his daughter on the groom’s — a symbolic gesture of handing over the bride to the groom.

The Ceremony Begins

Sri Lankan weddings involve many people partaking – the master of ceremony (the shilpadhipathi), the ashtaka or narrator (who recites religious chants), and finally the four young girls known as the Jayamangala Gatha, who bless the marriage with religious chants. 

There are multiple rituals and traditions that are sacred to Buddhism, each one is conducted due to a specific belief.

At the decided time, the ceremony begins. It often starts with the auspicious seven betel leaves ceremony. Each one takes a betel leaf at a time and drops it into the Poruwa. The bride and groom take turns and repeat the process. 

Once the ceremony reaches its end, the groom’s brother is supposed to stand holding a tray consisting of a gold necklace. The groom then collects the necklace and ties it around the bride’s neck.

The Tying Of the Pirith Nool

Back then, when registered marriages weren’t a thing in the island country, the tying of the pirith nool (sacred thread), was considered as a symbol of the union of marriage. The gold-clad thread symbolises unity and is tied by the Master of Ceremonies.

Once the Master of Ceremonies ties the bride and groom’s fingers, he then proceeds to pour pirith pan (holy water) from a Kandiyan crafted silver jug. This is a prominent ritual in any Sinhalese-Buddhist wedding. The ritual is significant because water and earth are two sacred elements in Buddhism.

Gifting of white cloth

After the completion of the pirith nool ritual, the groom will present a white cloth to the bride. The bride gazes at the beautiful-crafted piece of cloth and hands it over to her mother. The bride’s mother receives this as a token of gratitude from the groom’s family — for raising the bride since her birth. 

Regarded as the most wholesome and heart-warming part of Sri Lankan wedding culture — this is also the time when the groom promises the bride’s parents to take care of their daughter for the rest of his life.

Milk and Kiribath

A wedding is considered incomplete without sweets and desserts. While the western wedding culture emphasizes more on cutting the cake. A typical Sinhala-Buddhist wedding is famous for its kiribath or milk rice — touted as the most special kind of dessert among the sweetmeats. 

The bride’s mother has the responsibility of feeding the couple some milk rice, followed by the groom’s mother being required to give them each a sip of milk. The ceremony ends with the bride and groom feeding each other some kiribath.

As the newly married couple steps down the traditional Poruwa, members from the groom’s side break a fresh coconut — signifying new beginnings. The moment the couple steps off from the elevated pavilion onto the ground teemed with drummers and dancers — is the moment they announce to the world as husband and wife.

Also Read: Tangalle Beach

Wedding Dresses in Sri Lanka

Bride Wedding Dress

Whether the Sri Lankan bride is Sinhalese or Malay, her attire is an alluring blend of eastern and western tradition. From distinctive western-style veils to timeless silk sarees, Sri Lankan brides look unique and adorable in their attire. 

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On the wedding day, the bride usually wears a heavily embroidered silk saree with a long blouse. The saree is weighed down with beads, pearls, stones, and sequins. The bridal saree usually boasts of gold and silver thread work. Certain brides also adorn themselves with blouses featuring puffy sleeves that are in line with royal custom. 

Today, in the Poruwa ceremony, the exchange of rings, just like the western culture, is a common practice. Brides opting for a western wedding ceremony wear a white wedding dress similar to those worn in Christian weddings. To add to the look, they cover themselves from head to toe with jewels.

Groom Wedding Dress

The Sri Lankan groom’s wedding outfit is the most unique in the whole of SouthEast Asia. The look resonates with the royalty of the 19th century. He’s decked in a plush velvet hat and jacket that many Lankans fancy wearing in these times. 

The groom’s outfit comprises a hat, jacket, mul anduma, and shoes. The mul and uma are made for the kings worn only on special occasions like the wedding. From head to toe, the groom’s outfit is heavily embroidered with silver and gold thread. The jacket and shoes match the hat. The groomsmen also wear similar outfits but not as grand as the groom. It is often referred to as the Nilame costume.

Bride’s Homecoming ceremony

The homecoming of the bride marks the end of a flamboyant Sri Lankan wedding. It takes place a few days after the wedding ceremony. 

At the Poruwa ceremony — a saree and jacket, usually made of red material — is handed over to the bride by the groom’s mother. During the time of homecoming, the bride marks her entry into the house wearing this attire.

The Sri Lankan culture of weddings is the epitome of grace and heritage. Every ritual beautifully signifies the beginning of a new stage in life. Besides witnessing the union of two souls, friends and family must look at a Sinhala-Buddhist wedding. A time to witness the traditions and rituals that have been part of the country for a long period of time.

There is nothing like a quintessential Sri Lankan wedding, which is the favorite part cherish that involves the best food with the best people around.

Found this blog useful? Like, comment and share! If in case we missed something, do let us know using the comments section below.

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The post A Walk down the Sri Lankan Wedding Culture, Customs & Traditions appeared first on Sri Lanka Tourism.

The monarch led the absolute power of the island, and the succession of the rule was hereditary. The ruler was comprised of the reigning monarch, their family, and the royal household that supports and facilitates the king in the exercise of the royal duties and prerogatives.

The origin of Sinhalese monarchy lies by the migration of North Indian Indo-Aryan immigrants to the island. The traditional chronicles of Sri Lanka (the Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, and Culavamsa) narrates the date of establishment of the first Sinhala Kingdom in 543 by the landing of Prince Vijaya who was an Indian Prince along with his 700 followers landed in Sri Lanka and set out the Kingdom of Tambapanni.

Singhalese mythology states that Prince Vijaya and his followers were ordered to be the progenitors of the Sinhalese people. But, according to the story narrated in Divyavadana, the immigrants were probably ruled by the scion of a royal house in India.

But instead, there have been certain groups of adventurers and pioneer merchants who were exploring new lands. At the time of the Singhalese Kingdom, they concerned about the political states of the Sinhalese people and their ancestors.

The state did not exist as one continuous state but has been historically referred to as a series of successive kingdoms known by the city. It was in this city the administrative center was located.

Those are in the chronological order of ancient kingdoms of Sri Lanka is as follows:

1. Kingdom of Tambapanni
2. Kingdom of Upatissa
3. Kingdom of Nuwara
4. Kingdom of Anuradhapura
5. Kingdom of Polonnaruwa
6. Kingdom of Dambadeniya
7. Kingdom of Gampola
8. Kingdom of Kotte
9. Kingdom of Sitawaka
10. Kingdom of Kandy.

The ancient kingdoms of Sri Lanka existed is what made today’s Sri Lanka. By 1815, by the king Sri Vikrama Rajasimha of Kandy, the Sinhala Kingdom discontinued its existence by the generations of European influences and upheaval in the royal court.

During the era of the Sinhalese Kingdom, other political bodies also found existence on the island. It included the Jaffna Kingdom, the Vanni Chieftaincies, the Portuguese and the Dutch colonies. But these bodies were not part of the Sinhala Kingdom.

The introduction of the Buddhism was during the monarch of Devanampiya Tissa through the Emperor Ashoka of India. During the time of Kithsirimevan, Sudatta, who was the sub-king of Kalinga and Hemamala brought the ‘Tooth Relic of the Buddha’ to Sri Lanka.

It is believed that he brought it because of the unrest in the country. Kithsirimevan holds it in the procession and kept the relic in a mansion named Datadhatughara. His order was to hold the procession annually, and it still held as a tradition in the country.

The ‘Tooth Relic of Buddha’ in no time became the most sacred objects in the island. There was even a belief that the ruler who owned the Tooth Relic will be the rightful leader of the country.

The role of the monarch in the country was absolute. The king was the head of the state and is aided with high-level officials and board of ministers, and he is treated as the supreme power throughout the island.

Even he does not hold the complete control over the whole island. It was not that the monarch tried to take over the control, but in reality, it was more of an aspiration.

But, it is to be said that there existed the periods of effective control over the island from time to time. The monarch held judicial power and influence. Moral principles, traditions, and legal customs based on Buddhism were used as the bases of law.

The king proclaims the laws and legal measure, and it was supposed to be followed by the justice administration. The king was the final judge in all legal disputes. All the cases against the royal family members and the high dignitaries of the state were left for the judgment by the king.

Although, the king must exercise power given to him with care and only after consulting with his advisers.

Pre-history of Sri Lanka:

Anuradhapura Period

The Vijaya Dynasty of Kings continued in Sri Lanka until 65 CE, with brief interruptions. It continued until a member of the Lambakanna royal family. Vasabha founded the Lambakanna Dynasty.

Then, the Lambakannas ruled the island for about four centuries. Mahasena (reigned 276-303) was their most noteworthy king who was responsible for the construction of major irrigation systems and flag bearded heterodox Buddhists sect.

This dynasty was put to an end by the invasion of Pandyans from the south of India. Later handing it over to Sinhalese in 432. It was Dhatusena (reigned 459-477) who defeated the Pandyas and handed it over to the Sinhalese rule with the line of Morya Kings. Dhatusena’s son Kashyapa I (reigned 477-495) who moved the capital from Anuradhapura to the rock fortress of Sigiriya, later retitled to Anuradhapura after Kashyapa lost his throne.

From the beginning of the 7^th century, there began an increase in the involvement of the South Indian powers. They involved in the presence of Tamil mercenaries in the capital and the island’s politics.

Even they had a significant role in placing King Manavamma, who was a Sinhalese royal fugitive on the throne in 684. The Pallava rulers of South India supported King Manavamma.

King Manavamm is the one who founded the second Lambakanna dynasty. It reigned for about 400 years in Anuradhapura. This dynasty produced several distinguished kings who consolidated and extended the Sinhalese political power in the island.

It was during this period the involvement of Sinhalese in the southern India become even closer. The Sinhalese Kings were pulled into dynasty battles between the Pandyas, the Pallavas and the Cholas.

This resulted in the invasions from the South India and to retaliatory raids which became a recurrent phenomenon. Because of the regional particularism and internecine warfare, the island’s political and military power weakened by the 10^th century.

It was then the Cholas who were hostile because of the Sinhalese alliance with the Pandyas, attacked and occupied the Kingdom in 993 and added Rajarata as the province of Chola Empire. In 1017, when the Cholas seized the southern province of Ruhuna, the conquest was completed.

Polonnaruwa Period

The Cholas occupied the island until 1070. Later Vijayabahu liberated the Kingdom of Sri Lanka and re-established the Sinhalese power. The capital was shifted from the eastward to Polonnaruwa, which is the city that was easier to defend from the South Indian attacks and the city that controlled the route to Ruhuna.

Polonnaruwa stayed as the capital for 150 years. Polonnaruwa period even had the most colorful king, Parakramabahu I (reigned 1153-86). It was under his rule the kingdom enjoyed the most prosperity.

He followed a robust foreign policy and dispatched a punitive naval expedition to Myanmar. He even sent the army to invade the Pandyan Kingdom, but those initiatives were not a success.

The throne was later passed on to the Kalinga dynasty which increased South Indian influence. The last effective ruler of the Polonnaruwa period was Nissankamalla (reigned 1186-96).

While the last king was Magha reigned (1215-36), who was an adventurer from South India. He seized power and ruled the island with severity.

The Government and the Society

The Kingdom in Sri Lanka was Brahmanic along with deep Buddhist influences. All the kings of the Sri Lanka were practicing Buddhism and were the patrons of Buddhist institutions.

Kingship was unifying the political institution during the period of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. This represented the aims and achievements of the Sinhalese people.

The bond between the Buddhism and kingship paved the way for Buddhism to flourish in the island. Kings built and maintained many shrines and monasteries. They intervened to establish and prevented divisions within the community.

The support and the blessing of the clergy became essential for a peaceful and continuous reign. The nobles and the commoners lavishly supported them, and as a result, the Buddhist institutions prospered.

Many beautiful temples were built, and they all possessed finely crabbed sculptures. The monasteries became centers for learning Buddhist philosophy and the languages Pali and Sinhalese.

Fall of Polonnaruwa

In 1186, Parakramabhahu passed away. The throne was then handed over to the non-Sinhalese Kalinga Dynasty – to Nissankamalla who is the brother of Parakramabahu I’s Kalinga Queen.

By the death of Nissankamalla in 1196, the kingdom became weak by the ruling of ineffective rulers. The pandyas of India and the Kalingas, the non-Sinhalese factions, gained power in the island as the result of the dynastic marriages with the royalties of South India.

Which led to conflicts between these factions. South Indian worthies engaged the positions of influence under the Kalinga Kings. The mercenaries from various origins bolstered Their power.

The Magha of the Kalingas invaded the Kingdom of Sri Lanka in 1214, with the help of thousands of these mercenaries. He by then took over the control of the whole island. Magha’s rule, which was as a veritable reign of terror, lasted until 1255.

It was marked as the bold disregard of traditional authority and established a religion. Polonnaruwa, as a result, fell into the hands of non-Sinhalese elements, each competing with each other for power and office.

THE ROYAL DYNASTY OF SRI LANKA

List of Sri Lankan Kings Name

{We are not calming the list given below is accurate. The list is completely based on the information gathered from the internet}

1. Vijaya B.C. 543 Tambapanni (First King of Sri Lanka) – Interregnum 505
2. Panduvasudeva 504 Vijitapura
3. Abhaya 474 – Interregnum 454
4. Pandukabhaya 437 Anuradhapura
5. Mutasiva 367
6. Devanampiya Tissa 307 B.C. 247
7. Uttiya 267
8. Mahasiva 257
9. Suratissa 247
10. Sena and Guttika 237
11. Asela 215
12. Elara 205
13. Duttha Gamani 161
14. Saddha Tissa of Anuradhapura 137
15. Thulanthana 119
16. Lanja Tissa 119
17. Khallata Naga 109
18. Vatta Gamani 104
19. Five Tamils 103
20. Vatta Gamani (restored) 88
21. Mahachuli Maha Tissa 76
22. Chore Naga 62
23. Tissa 50
24. Siva 47
25. Vatuka 47
26. Daru Bhatika Tissa 47
27. Niliya 47
28. Anula 47
29. Kutakanna Tissa 42
30. Bhatikabhaya 20
31. Mahadathika Maha Naga A.D. 9
32. Amanda Gamani 21
33. Kanirajanu Tissa 30
34. Chulabhaya 33
35. Sivali 35 (Interregnum of three years)
36. Ila Naga 38
37. Chandamukha Siva 44
38. Yassalalaka Tissa 52
39. Subharaja 60
40. Vasabha 66
41. Vankanasika Tissa 110
42. Gaja Bahu I 113
43. Mahalla Naga 135
44. Bhatika Tissa 141
45. Kanittha Tissa 165
46. Khujja Naga 193
47. Kuncha Naga 195
48. Siri Naga I 196
49. Voharika Tissa 215
50. Abhaya Naga 237
51. Siri Naga II 245
52. Vijaya Kumara 247
53. Sangha Tissa 248
54. Sanghabodhi (Siri Sangabo) 252
55. Gothakabhaya 254
56. Jettha Tissa I 267
57. Mahasena 277
58. Siri Meghavanna 304 c. 340
59. Jettha Tissa II 332
60. Buddhadasa 341
61. Upatissa 370
62. Mahanama 412 c. 428
63. Sotthi Sona 434
64. Chhattagahaka 434
65. Mitta Sena 435
66. Six Tamils 436
67. Dhatusena 463
68. Kassapa I 479 c. 527 Sigiriya.
69. Moggallana I 497 Anuradhapura.
70. Kumara Dhatusena 515
71. Kittisena 524
72. Siva 524
73. Upatissa II 525
74. Amba Samanera Silakala 526
75. Dathappabhuti 539
76. Moggallana II 540
77. Kittisiri Meghavanna 560
78. Maha Naga 561
79. Aggabodhi I 564
80. Aggabodhi II 598 c. 609
81. Sangha Tissa 608
82. Dalla Moggallana 608
83. Silameghavanna 614
84. Aggabodhi III 623
85. Jettha Tissa III 623
86. Aggabodhi III (restored) 624
87. Dathopatissa I 640
88. Kassapa II 652
89. Dappula I 661
90. Dathopatissa II 664
91. Aggabodhi IV 673
92. Datta 689
93. Unhanagara Hatthadatha 691
94. Mahavamma 691
95. Aggabodhi V 726
96. Kassapa III 732
97. Mahinda I 738
98. Aggabodhi VI 741
99. Aggabodhi VII 781 Polonnaruwa
100. Mahinda II 787 Anuradhapura
101. Dappula II (Udaya) 807 ? 790
102. Mahinda III 812
103. Aggabodhi VIII 816
104. Dappula III 827
105. Aggabodhi IX 843
106. Sena I 846 ? 819/20 Polonnaruwa
107. Sena II 866
108. Udaya I 901
109. Kassapa IV 912
110. Kassapa V 929
111. Dappula IV 939 ? c. 918/9
112. Dappula V 940
113. Udaya II 952
114. Sena III 955
115. Udaya III 964 ? c. 942/3.
116. Sena IV 972
117. Mahinda IV 975
118. Sena V 991
119. Mahinda V 1001 Deported c. 1017. Anuradhapura.
120. Kassapa on Vikrama Bahu 1037 |
121. Kitti I 1049 |
122. Mahalana Kitti 1049 |
123. Vikrama Pandya 1052 | Ruhuna.
124. Jagatipala 1053 |
125. Parakrama 1057 |
126. Lokissara 1059 |
127. Vijaya Bahu I 1056-1111 Polonnaruwa.
128. Jaya Bahu I 1108-1145/6 Polonnaruwa and Ruhuna.
129. Vikrama Bahu I 1111-1132 Polonnaruwa.
130. Gaja Bahu II 1131-1153
131. Parakrama Bahu I 1153-1186
132. Vijaya Bahu II 1186-1187
133. Mahinda VI 1187
134. Nissanka Malla 1187-1196
135. Vira Bahu I 1196
136. Vikrama Bahu II 1196
137. Codaganga 1196-1197
138. Lilavati (1) 1197-1200
139. Sahasa Malla 1200-1202
140. Kalyanavati 1202-1208
141. Dharmasoka 1208-1209
142. Anikanga 1209
143. Lilavati (2) 1209-1210
144. Lokissara 1210-1211
145. Lilavati (3) 1211-1212
146. Parakrama Pandya 1212-1215
147. Magha 1215-1236
148. Vijaya Bahu III c. 1220-1224 Dambadeniya.
149. Parakrama Bahu II 1234-1269
150. Vijaya Bahu IV 1267/8-1270
151. Bhuvanaika Bahu I 1271-1283 Dambadeniya and Yapahu.
152. Interregnum 1283-1302
153. Parakrama Bahu III c. 1302-1310 Polonnaruwa.
154. Bhuvanaika Bahu II ? 1310-1325/6 Kurunagala.
155. Parakrama Bahu IV 1325/6
156. Bhuvanaika Bahu III 1325/6
157. Jaya (Vijaya) Bahu 1325/6
158. Bhuvanaika Bahu IV 1344/5-1353/4 Gampola
159. Parakrama Bahu V 1344/5-1359 Dedigama and Gampola
160. Vikrama Bahu III c. 1357-1374 Gampola
161. Bhuvanaika Bahu V 1372/3-1404/5 or 1406/7 Gampola.
162. Vira Bahu II 1391/2-1396/7 Rayigama
163. Vira Alakesvara (Vijaya Bahu VI) c. 1397-1409 Rayigama.
164. Parakrama Bahu Epa 1409-1412
165. Parakrama Bahu VI c. 1412-1467 Kotte.
166. Jaya Bahu II c. 1467-1472/3
167. Bhuvanaika Bahu VI 1472/3-1480/1
168. Parakrama Bahu VII c. 1480/1-1484
169. Parakrama Bahu VIII c. 1484-1518 7
170. Parakrama Bahu IX 1509-1528 Kelaniya.
171. Vijaya Bahu VII 1509-1521 Kotte
172. Bhuvanaika Bahu VII 1521-1551
173. Dharmapala 1551-1597
174. KINGS OF SITAWAKA
175. Mayadunne 1521-1581
176. Rajasinha I 1554-1593
177. Rajasurya 1593-1594
178. KINGS OF KANDY
179. Vimala Dharma Surya I 1590-1604
180. Senarat 1604-1635
181. Rajasinha II 1629-1687
182. Vimala Dharma Surya II 1687-1707
183. Narendra Sinha 1707-1739
184. Vijaya Rajasinha 1739-1747
185. Kirtisri 1747-1781
186. Rajadhirarajasinha 1781-1798
187. Sri Vikrama Rajasinha 1798-1815

(As many of the Sri Lankan names, most of the Kings were also known to have longest Sri Lankan names, but not included to conserve space)

The Chronological Table of the Monarchs

Coming down to an accurate chronological table of the monarchs, of a period of about 2500 years has been one of the biggest challenges the scholars of the Sri Lankan history faced. The most troubling periods were the pre-Anuradhapura period and the latter part of Kurunegala, Yapahuwa Gampola period and the Kotte periods.

The pre-history of Sri Lanka begins from about 5^th century B.C by the settlement of Sinhalese people on the island. Sinhala is an Indo-Aryan group that came from North India. Still, about 70% of people inhabiting the island are known as Sinhalese. It is believed that the Sinhalese migrated first from the Indus River of North India. Indus River was also the home of Kambojas. History says that the Indo-Aryans later migrated to Bengal-Orissa region of the North East of India.

Mahavamsa is the chronicle of the Sinhalese people, which is considered as one of the oldest in the world. The continuing history of the nation is still being recorded from the 550 BC. The authorships are designated to Thera Mahanama (First Part) – who was a resident at Dighasandasenapati Pirvena at Anuradhapura and to Dharmakitti Thera (Second Part) in Polonnaruwa.

Period of the rule of Vijaya 483-445 BC

The Chronicle of Mahavamsa narrated that Prince Vijaya landed in Sri Lanka by ship, along with 700 followers. They are believed to be banished by the King of Vanga in India. They started nurturing on the land, and they named the place as Thambapanni.

Vijaya is said to land on Sri Lanka the exact day of Buddha’s Parinirvana (passing away). Vijaya later came to know that the place was called as Sirisavatthu which was inhibited by Yaksas. Yaksas were a tribe of local inhabitants believed to have a violent nature. Vijaya and his followers came into power. Kuveni, the daughter of Yaska King, offered her hand to Vijaya and he accepted it.

Kuveni advised Vijaya to get rid of Yaksas and built Thambapanni Nagara at the land he holds power.

After being established in the new land. Vijaya was forced to be the King by his followers. But Vijay declined and said it would not do so until he had a bride from the Shakthriya clan to be his queen.

The messenger was sent to King Pandu of Madura in India, in the request of his daughter’s hand. King Pandu agreed to the proposal and sent his daughter to Vijaya along with 700 maids and brides for his followers.

Vijaya later removed Kuveni from their relationship along with their two children. The kids were accepted, but Kuveni was not spared for bringing shame to her tribe. As the legacy, it was these kids who later became the ancestors of Pulindas.

Vijaya and the Pandu Princess got married, and he is celebrated as the First King of Sri Lanka. Vijaya died without an heir since he had no son. It is said that he ruled over with absolute justice for 38 years.

Upatissa 445 – 445 BC

Upatissa was the chief minister of Vijaya and succeeded as regent as Vijaya died without an heir. He ruled for a year until Panduvasdeva arrived. Panduvasdeva was the younger son of Vijaya’s brother Sumitta.

Panduvasdeva 444 – 414 BC

Prince Panduvasdeva came along with 32 noblemen. He married Bhadda Kacchana, and they were announced as the Second King and Queen of the Kingdom of Sri Lanka. The king had ten sons and a daughter. The daughter, Unmada Chitta was predicted to have a son, who will later destroy his uncles. As per the prediction, the King kept her under solitary confinement.

Unmada Chitta married Dighamini later and gave birth to a boy. The kid was brought up in hiding and was named Pandukabhaya.

The king passed away, and his seat of the monarch is known as Vijithapura. The reservoir Abeyawewa was built during his rule. This is considered to be the first human-made reservoir.

Abhaya 414 – 394BC

Tissa 394 – 377 BC

Panduvasdeva’s eldest son was Abhaya. He was deposed, and Tissa got the power. Tissa was later slain in a battle led by Pandukabaya who then took over the throne.

Source:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sri_Lankan_monarchs
• https://www.britannica.com/place/Sri-Lanka/Conversion-to-Buddhism#ref24240
• http://www.lankalibrary.com/geo/list%20of%20kings.htm
• https://lanka.com/about/history/

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