Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

The Pearl of the Indian Ocean — a magnificent island of ancient wonders

About the Island

A Land Like No Other

Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal. Despite its compact size — just 65,525 km² — it packs in an extraordinary diversity of landscapes, ecosystems, and cultures.

The earliest human remains found on the island date to about 35,000 years ago. Buddhism arrived in the 3rd century BCE, shaping a civilisation that built magnificent ancient cities, vast irrigation systems, and some of the world's most extraordinary temples. Colonial periods under the Portuguese, Dutch, and British followed, leaving their own architectural and cultural imprints.

Today, Sri Lanka is a vibrant republic — its capital for legislation is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, while Colombo remains the pulsing commercial heart. With a coastline of 1,340 km, a highest peak of 2,524m at Pidurutalagala, and a biodiversity that earned it the nickname "the Pearl of the Indian Ocean" — this is a destination that will astonish you.

Area

65,525 km²

Coastline

1,340 km

Highest Peak

2,524 m

Population

21.1 million

Capital

Sri Jayawardenepura

Currency

Sri Lankan Rupee

Why Sri Lanka

What Awaits You

Ancient Heritage

8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, and Galle Fort.

Wildlife & Nature

Leopards at Yala, elephants at Minneriya, whale watching at Mirissa, and endemic birds.

Tea Country

The world's finest Ceylon tea, grown on misty hillside estates in the central highlands.

Golden Beaches

1,340 km of coastline with beaches for surfing, diving, snorkelling, and pure relaxation.