Ancient Sri Lanka

                                                          The Sigiriya rock fortress

 According to the Mahavamsa, a chronicle written in Pali language, the ancient period of Sri Lanka begins in 543 BC with the landing of Vijaya, a semi-legendary king who arrived in the country with 700 followers from the southwest coast of what is now the Rarh region of West Bengal.He established the Kingdom of Tambapanni, near modern day Mannar. Vijaya is the first of the approximately 189 native monarchs of Sri Lanka, the chronicles like Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, Chulavamsa and Rajavaliya describe. (see List of Sri Lankan monarchs) Sri Lankan dynasty spanned over a period of 2359 years, from 543 BC to 1815 AD, until it came under the rule of British Empire.
The Kingdom of Sri Lanka moved to Anuradhapura in 380 BC, during the reign of Pandukabhaya. Since then, Anuradhapura served as the capital of the country for nearly 1400 years.Ancient Sri Lankans excelled in various constructions such as tanks, dagobas and palaces.The society underwent a major transformation during the reign of Devanampiya Tissa, with the arrival of Buddhism from India. In 250 BC,bhikkhu Mahinda, the son of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka arrived in Mihintale, carrying the message of Buddhism.His mission won over the monarch, who embraced the faith and propagated it throughout the Sinhalese population.The succeeding kingdoms of Sri Lanka would maintain a large number of Buddhist schools and monasteries, and support the propagation of Buddhism into other countries in Southeast Asia as well.In 245 BC, bhikkhuni Sangamitta arrived with the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree, which is considered to be a sapling from the historical Bodhi tree under which Gautama Buddha became enlightened.It is considered the oldest tree in the world, with a continuous historical record. (Bodhivamsa)

                     The Rankot Vihara or the Golden Pinnacle Dagoba in Polonnaruwa, 12th century


Sri Lanka experienced the first foreign invasion during the reign of Suratissa, who was defeated by two horse traders named Sena and Guttika from South India.The next invasion came immediately in 205 BC by a Chola king named Elara, who overthrew Asela and ruled the country for 44 years. Dutugemunu, the eldest son of the southern regional sub-king, Kavan Tissa, defeated Elara in the Battle of Vijithapura. He built Ruwanwelisaya, the second stupa in ancient Sri Lanka, and the Lovamahapaya.During its two and half millenias of existence, kingdom of Sri Lanka was invaded at least 8 times by neighbouring South Asian dynastys such as Chola, Pandya, Chera and Pallava.There had also been incursions by the kingdoms of Kalinga (modern Orissa) and from Malay Peninsula as well. Kala Wewa and the Avukana Buddha statue were built during the reign of Dhatusena.
Sri Lanka was the first Asian country to have a female ruler; Queen Anula who reigned from 47–42 BC.Sri Lankan monarchs have attained some remarkable construction achievements like Sigiriya, the so-called "Fortress in the Sky". It was a constructed during the reign of Kashyapa I. Sigiriya is a rock fortress surrounded by an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. The 5th century palace is also renowned for frescos on the rock the surface.It has been declared by the UNESCO as the 8th Wonder of the world.Among the other constructions, large reservoirs, important for conserving water in a climate that alternates rainy seasons with dry times, and elaborate aqueducts, some with a slope as finely calibrated as one inch to the mile are dominant. Biso Kotuwa, a peculiar construction inside a dam, is a technological marvel based on precise mathematics, allowing water to flow outside the dam keeping the pressure to a minimum.Ancient Sri Lanka was the first country in the world to have established a dedicated hospital; in Mihintale in the 4th century.It was also the leading exporter of cinnamon in the ancient world, and has maintained close ties with European civilizations including the Roman Empire. For example, King Bhatikabhaya (BC 22 - 7 AD) had sent an embassy to Rome and got down coral for a net to be cast over the Ruwanwelisaya.Bhikkhuni Devasara and ten other fully ordained bhikkhunis from Sri Lanka had went to China and established the bhikkhuni sasana there in 429 AD.














                                                                                                                         

History Of Sri Lanka

                                  Frescos on the Sigiriya rock fortress in Matale District, 5th century


The pre-history of Sri Lanka dates back over 125,000 years Before Present (BP) and possibly even as early as 500,000 BP.The era spans the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and early Iron ages. Among the Paleolithic (Homo Erectus) human settlements discovered in Sri Lanka, Pahiyangala (named after the Chinese traveler monk Fa-Hsien), which dates back to 37,000 BP,Batadombalena (28,500 BP)and Belilena (12,000 BP) are the most important. The remains of Balangoda Man, an anatomically modern human, found inside these caves,suggests that they may have engaged in agriculture and kept domestic dogs for driving game.


One of the first written references to the island is found in the Indian epic Ramayana, which provides details of a kingdom named Lanka that had been created by the divine sculptor Vishwakarma, for Kubera, the lord of wealth.It is said that Kubera was overthrown by his demon stepbrother Ravana, the powerful Emperor who built a mythical flying machine named Dandu Monara.The modern city of Wariyapola is described as Ravana's airport.

Ravana belonged to the tribe Raksha, which lived alongside four Hela tribes named Yaksha, Deva, Naga and Gandharva.These early inhabitants of Sri Lanka were probably the ancestors of the Vedda people,an indigenous community living in modern-day Sri Lanka, which numbers approximately 2,500. Irish historian James Emerson Tennent theorised Galle, a southern city in Sri Lanka, was the ancient seaport of Tarshish, from which King Solomon is said to have drawn ivory, peacocks and other valuables. Early inhabitats of the country spoke the Elu language, which is considered the early form of the modern Sinhala language.

Sri Lanka, known as the ‘teardrop of India’ is a country that presents property investors be it local or international, with as many opportunities as it does challenges making the real estate sector on this Asian island, one of the world’s more exciting prospects.

This beautiful island being exceptionally a popular tourist destination and its growing popularity with the Western second home seekers and retirees (looking for an alternative and affordable winter sun destination) were the two main factors that made itself a potential property investment marketplace with foreign buyers. The land and property for sale or development in Sri Lanka are in abundance, but, the reintroduction of the 100% property tax by the Government against purchase of property has been a hurdle for foreign investors to access a potentially strong market place in Sri Lanka.

As such, the Government’s inability to commit to attract foreign direct investors made the Sri Lanka property market immature. The International investors looking to profit from property market in Sri Lanka are restricted by the government currently and they have to consider doing so for at least the medium term, thus making the property buying process here particularly unpleasant for them. Another setback for the Sri Lanka property investors was the fact that Tamil Tigers has been increasing their violent efforts since December 2005 to secure a separate homeland in the nation. The suicide attacks imposed by the Tamil Tigers to popular tourist destinations such as Galle resulted in many foreign holiday makers canceling their trips. Most property investors were withdrawing from projects and governments such as the Australian and US were advising their citizens to stay away from Sri Lanka for the time being.

Many Investors who were determined to access the real estate market in Sri Lanka were prepared to use various legitimate taxation avoidance vehicles and schemes from trust or company ownership of property to leasing arrangements, but the increasing violence has made the vast majority of them to look elsewhere for opportunities.

This has been actually a sad state of affairs as it means that this stunningly beautiful nation and the vast majority of its people who are peace loving are not benefiting from foreign direct investors who are keen to commit themselves to the Sri Lanka economy.
This situation has not only affected Sri Lanka property market but also the tourism market, ie. the hoteliers and other relevant business people who are in the tourism trade have been suffering drastically on this issue.However, the international investors who are committed to buying property in Sri Lanka for investment purposes can achieve their goals but they should be prepared for hurdles and hiccups if they ought to proceed.

The Waterfalls of Sri Lanka are breathtaking and a spectacular sight to watch. These waterfalls are rich in beauty, considering it's gigantic curtain of water that begins at the very point of descent at the (mountain which the fall originates) streaming graciously in a downward motion while hitting smaller rock's in it's path there by causing a splash resulting in the birth of a pond created by the accumulated water particles of the splash and finally resulting in the distribution of water to a nearby river by means of a downward motion of water streams. Waterfalls have been a magnificent gift of nature, which has attached human beings since the beginning of time.Sri Lanka has the largest number of waterfalls of any given country. Waterfalls are most commonly found in the hill country in this part of the world.

Sri Lanka Cities

Ambalangoda, Ambalantota, Amparai, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Bentota, Beruwala, Chilaw, Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Hendala, Hikkaduwa, Jaffna, Kalpitiya, Kalutara, Kandy, Kankesanturai, Kattankudi, Kegalla, Killinochchi, Kurunegala, Maho, Mankulam, Mannar, Matale, Matara, Moneragala, Moratuwa, Mullaittibu, Negombo, Nuwara Eliya, Opanake, Panadura, Point Pedro, Polgahawela, Polonnaruwa, Pottuvil, Pulmoddai, Puttalam, Ratnapura, Trincomalee, Vavuniya and Weligama. Sri Lanka Locations:
Bay of Bengal, Gal Oya, Gulf of Mannar, Indian Ocean, Kala Oya, Kalu Ganga, Koddiyar Bay, Mundal Lake, Palk Bay, Palk Strait and Yari Oya. Sri Lanka Natural Resources:Sri Lanka has mineral resources which include graphite, gems, limestone, mineral sands, and clay. Other natural resources for the country include phosphates and hydropower. Sri Lanka Natural Hazards.

About Srilanka

Sri Lanka Political Map

Sri Lanka is located in southern Asia. Sri Lanka is an island that is bordered by the Gulf of Mannar to the west, the Bay of Bengal to the east, and Palk Bay to the northwest. Sri Lanka Bordering Countries.

A Brief Description

In the emerald-green waters of the Indian Ocean, the island country of Sri Lanka was first populated by the Sinhalese peoples from northern India.

As the European influences spread throughout southern Asia in the 16th century, it was eventually occupied by the Portuguese, and later, the Dutch in the 17th century.

Then, in 1796, it was ceded to Britain by the Netherlands, becoming a crown colony in 1802.

Long known as Ceylon, and as a popular port-of-call, it declared independence in 1948, subsequently changing its name to Sri Lanka in 1972.

For decades that followed, internal strife seemed indigenous to Sri Lanka, as tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists finally erupted into a civil war in 1983.

Tens of thousands died in that ethnic conflict, and although now on the proverbial back-burner, social and governmental conflicts continue to fester.

Then tragically, Sri Lanka, frequently referred to as the "Teardrop of India," was itself devastated by the powerful earthquake-triggered tsunami (or tidal wave) on December 26, 2004.

Today this tropical island is again on the radar screens of worldwide travelers, as Sri Lanka, though struggling, is quickly rebuilding its infrastructure and making a strong comeback, especially in tourism.

And happily, for the most part, island-wide peaceful coexistence seems to be catching on.

Facts and Figures

Name Sri Lanka

Democratic Socialist Rep. of Sri Lanka

Population 20,064,800

Population & Density

Capital City Colombo (710,000) metro (2.5 mil)

Currency Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)

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Languages Sinhala (official), Tamil, others

National Day February 4

arrow Religions Buddhist (70%), Muslim, Hindu, others

Geographic Coordinates

Latitude/Longitude (Capital City)
06? 55' N, 79? 52' E

Relative Location Sri Lanka is in both the eastern and northern hemispheres. It's positioned on the far southern edge of the Indian subcontinent in south-central Asia. It's bordered by the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of Mannar. Note: There is no land connection between India and Sri Lanka.</p>

Land Statistics

Coastline 832 miles (1,340 km)

 Land Areas

(land) 25,332 sq miles (65,610 sq km)

(water) 336 sq miles (870 sq km)

(TOTAL) 25,332 sq miles (65,610 sq km)

Land Area

Landforms Most of Sri Lanka is ringed by (almost endless) sandy beaches, and small, irregular lagoons. The coastal areas merge into a flat coastal plain, one that gently rises into the foothills of a mountainous region, central and south.

Intermixed throughout those mountains are numerous deep valleys and gorges. About 40% of the landmass is heavily forested.

Pidurutalagala, the country's highest point, as well as Adam's Peak (the country's famous religious site) both rise in the mountains directly east of Colombo.

Numerous short and narrow rivers rise in the central highland; the most significant include the Kala, Kalu, Kirindi and Yan rivers.

Highest Point Pidurutalagala - 8,261 ft. (2,518 m)

Lowest Point Indian Ocean - (0 ft.) (0 m)

Land Divisions 8 provinces, including: Central, North Central, North Eastern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Western.