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WATER:
Do not drink water from the taps. Please buy bottled
water.
SUNSHINE:
Do not stay out in the sun for long periods of time. Do
use a good strong sun-factor lotion and re-apply often.
It is advisable to wear hats and to use sunglasses. The
humidity creates intense heat, which causes you to sweat
unceasingly. So drink plenty of liquids, and take a little
extra salt with your food, and avoid dehydration.
SRI LANKAN TUMMY:
If this complaint persists for longer than 24 hrs, it
would be advisable to see the hotel doctor.
For the first few days follow the simple code, "Take
everything in moderation", until your body gets used
to all aspects.
POOLSIDE:
Please observe depth markings on the poolside.
Please do not leave your children unattended at the pool
or beach. Do not dive in the pool. Observe the shallow
end. Do not swim directly after a meal or consuming alcohol.
BEACHSIDE:
The sea can be very appealing, but also very dangerous.
Please observe flag warnings. Do not swim out of your
depth, or risk the lives of others.
BEING
APPROACHED:
There have been many instances where beach boys
and touts, who pose as friends, have cheated tourists.
We strongly advise you not to associate with them for
reasons of personal security. If you do, you do so at
your
own risk. Your tour operator cannot be responsible for
any tours booked outside our organization.
SHOPPING:
Local crafts and souvenirs include batik, woodcarving,
puppets/masks, leather goods, tea, spices ceramics,
gems and jewellery.
CLOTHING:
It is advisable to wear cool, loose cotton clothing
but remember you may need a jumper or something warmer
if you are visiting the hill country.
HOLIDAYS:
Every full moon day is a "Poya day".
On these days no alcohol will be sold in public areas.
However some
hotels make exceptions for hotel guests.
TIPPING:
It is customary to tip your tour driver and guide
at the end of your tour. A reasonable indication would
be approximately US$ 3 per person per day.
VISAS:
Most nationalities including British, French,
Dutch, German, Swiss, Australians, New Zealanders receive
a 30-day tourist visa on entry.
Calendar
of Events 2003
The exact dates of Sri Lanka’s festivals change from year
to year as they depend on lunar or solar phases.
DECEMBER
- APRIL
Sri
Pada Or Adam’s Peak
Pilgrimage Season
Sri Pada or Adam’s Peak as it is commonly known, is a
mountain 2237 meters high situated in the Southwest corner of
Central Highlands. Thousands of pilgrims from many faiths
climb the mountain to pay homage and make observance commencing
from full-moon day of December to the full-moon day of
April the following year.
Buddhists
believe that it enshrines the footprint of Gauthama Buddha
at the summit. Hindus, Muslims and Christians also make
pilgrimages for
their own religious reasons. The spectacle of sunrise
from the mountain top is an unforgettable sight.
JANUARY
Durutu Perahera
A colorful religious pageant at the Kelaniya Temple 12
kms away from the city of Colombo. It is a colorful procession
of caparisoned elephants, torch bearers and traditional
dancers.
FEBRUARY 04th
Independence Day
This day commemorates the granting of independence to
Sri Lanka by the British on 4th February, 1948.
It is a great
patriotic and national occasion celebrated with colorful
parades and pageants depicting the nation’s culture and
achievements.
FEBRUARY
Classic Car Rally
Over 40 to 50 Classic cars ranging from CE1 upwards will
proceed to a rally from Colombo to Wattala on the Classic
Car Club member’s day rally.
FEBRUARY
Japanese Pro Surfing
Over 30 foreign participants are expected at this international
professional surfing competition at the beach side resort
city of Hikkaduwa.
FEBRUARY 25th &
26th
Navam Perahera
A colorful
traditional perahera organized by Gangaramaya Temple in
Colombo parades the city streets for two nights.
Dances, elephants, and whip crackers make it an unforgettable
event.
MARCH
Elephant
Polo
The introduction of an all Sri Lanka Elephant Polo competition
event by the Ceylon Elephant Polo Association intended
to popularize the sport in Sri Lanka. It is hoped that
the event will be able to give financial assistance to
local education
and to the Elephant Orphanage.
APRIL 13th & 14th
Sinhala and Tamil New Year
The two main ethnic groups in Sri Lanka , the Sinhalese
and the Tamils celebrate a common traditional New Year
in the
month of April - originally a harvesting thanks
giving celebration. This marks the passage of the sun
from Pisces to Aries. Traditional customs are observed
on this day with merrymaking and fun and games and lavish
hospitality.
The Governor's Cup
The scenic mountain resort of Nuwara Eliya takes on a
festive air during the holiday month of April. It is also
the place
and time of year when Sri Lanka holds its biggest horse-racing
event - The Governor's Cup. A four-day competition for
thoroughbred horses for the distance of 9 furlongs. The
Breeders Cup, which is for beginners with two days of
racing and a race for amateur riders, will also be held.
Mahagasthota Hill Climb and the Radalla
Hill Climb In April, Nuwara Eliya will provide an excellent vantage view
of motor racing when over hundred formula three cars
to motor cycles compete at the Mahagasthota Hill Climb
and the Radalla Hill climb.
MAY 01st
May Day
International Workers’ Day is celebrated with colorful
parades and rallies organized by the leading Trade Unions.
MAY
Vesak
Full Moon
Vesak is a thrice blessed day for Buddhists throughout
the world. It commemorates the birth of Prince
Siddhartha, his attaining enlightenment and passing
away into Nibbana as Gauthama Buddha. It is a day of great
sanctity devoted to
religious observances and charity. The day is also celebrated
with festivity with
numerous colorful decorations and illuminations, pandals
and pageants. Wayside stalls distribute
food and refreshments to the pilgrims and passers
by.
JUNE
Poson Full Moon
Poson, the full-moon festival commemorates the advent
of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century
BC. The day is
celebrated with religious observances.
The center of festivities is at Mihintale (about 10km)
from Anuradhapura where the Buddhist doctrine was
first preached by Arahat Mahinda, son of the great Emperor
Asoka of India. Apart from religious
festivals there are illuminations and decorations and processions in various
parts of the island.
JULY 14th to 23rd
Esala Festivals – Kandy
Esala (July/August) is the season of festivals in Sri
Lanka and the full moon day of Esala is the climax of
some of the
festivals. The most magnificent of these festivals is
the Kandy Esala Perahera.
A spectacular medieval day pageant is held
for 10 nights climaxing with the Kandyan dancers and drummers
in colorful traditional costumes. Kandyan Chieftains in
medieval court dress, more than one hundred caparisoned
elephants, whip crackers, torch bearers etc., make
it an unforgettable experience.
Kataragama
The Kataragama festival is another of the major Esala
Festivals. Kataragama in the South-East corner of the
island is a
jungle shrine dedicated to God Skanda and is a popular
pilgrim center
for Buddhists and Hindus. Fire walking and the annual
perahera in July/August are some of its highlights.
Dondra
In Southern Sri Lanka, 160 km from Colombo is
the shrine dedicated to God Vishnu at Dondra, where Esala
Festivals take place every year with colorful perahera
featuring Kandyan and lower country dances.
Bellanwila
A colorful Esala pageant is also held at the Rajamaha
Vihara (Buddhist temple) at Bellanwila, a Southern suburb
of Colombo. The perahera features low-country folk dancers
in addition to Kandyan dancers.
Munneswaram
About 75 km north of Colombo (3km from Chilaw) is a Hindu
shrine dedicated to God Siva where a colorful temple festival
with fire walking takes place during the Esala Festival
time. This is a popular pilgrim center for both Hindus
and Buddhists.
Vel Festival
Some of Colombo’s main streets take on a festive atmosphere
in August where the capital’s main Hindu festival takes
place and ornately decorated Vel Chariot makes its annual
trip carrying the weapons of God Skanda from one temple
to the other.
(The exact date of the Kandy Esala Perahera and of the
other festivals are announced only during the first quarter
of the year.)
SEPTEMBER
Facets 2002: International Gem and Jewellery
show
A treasure trove of gems and jewellery will go on display
at the 12th Sri Lankan International Gem and Jewellery
exhibition
in Colombo. Facets is an annual event which has become
an attraction not only for those involved in the Gem and
Jewellery trade but also an unusual event which draws
many visitors from around the world.
NOVEMBER
Deepavali: Festival of Lights
The festival of lights celebrated by all Hindus. Hindu
homes are lit up at night, new clothes worn, homes spring-cleaned
and all Hindus purify themselves with an oil bath. Illuminations
are designed to welcome Goddess Lakshmi.
DECEMBER
Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramadan Festival)
This day ending Islamic period of fasting is attended
with joy and festivals.
DECEMBER 25th
Christmas
The Christmas day is celebrated by the Christian community in
Sri Lanka on this day.
DECEMBER
Sangamitta day (Unduwap Full Moon)
This day marks the historic event of bringing
the right branch of the sacred Bo-tree under which Gauthama
Buddha
attained enlightenment in India. The branch of
the Bodhi tree was brought by Arahat Theri Sangamitta,
sister of Arahat Mahinda and daughter of Emperor Asoka.
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