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)

Currency Converter here

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.