A huge peninsula near Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka: Ceylon tea and lots of fun. Useful phone numbers

Sri Lanka is a remote country on a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean. Of course, we know her better by her tea name Ceylon. But now this mysterious island has received its ancient and sacred name and invites you to visit. What to expect from Sri Lanka? It contains many different attractions. These are ancient cities and heavenly beaches, these are tea plantations and picturesque mountains, lush vegetation, spicy food and unprecedented shopping! And all this fits on one island, the impressions of visiting which we will now tell you about.

Despite its tiny size, the Indian Ocean island of Sri Lanka has a scattering of attractions ranging from cultural and historical sites to culinary and exotic wonders. In terms of the brightness of impressions and the mixture of different events and interesting places, Sri Lanka is somewhat reminiscent of.

We flew to the island of Ceylon in April and decided to devote two weeks to it. We had a small plan for our independent travel around Sri Lanka, compiled in the form of an approximate route. We began our acquaintance with the country from the cultural triangle, and then planned to go towards the famous beaches of Sri Lanka. Due to the fact that our plans were slightly adjusted during the trip, the original route also changed. But our impressions were very vivid.

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The best attractions in Sri Lanka

I decided to highlight the five best, in my opinion, attractions in Sri Lanka.

1. – a town in Sri Lanka in the province of Uva. Tiny and small, but with its cuteness and tranquility, it instantly won our hearts. And now, if we say that we should go to Sri Lanka again, we mostly mean to return to Ella. This city is the absolute champion in this ranking, the main attraction, this is indisputable.

Mount Ella Rock

Why is Ella so good? If you like to sit with a cup of tea, looking at the surrounding green hills and leisurely strolling from one restaurant to another along the only street, then this is the place for you. If you like walking through the hills to see not the most outstanding, but somehow attractive sights, then the city of Ella is also waiting for you. And of course, if you not only love tea, but are interested in how it grows, then welcome to the surrounding tea plantations!

A leisurely lifestyle is what attracts Ella. That’s why you so want to come back here, rent a house and live, working on projects and walking along the intricate mountain paths. The result was an idealistic image, but this is how Ella remained in our memories of Sri Lanka.

On the road to Adam's Peak in the city of Ella on the island of Sri Lanka

2. is the main sacred place for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. It was here that the march of Buddhism across the island began. Here are the first stupas and hidden sacred caves, which are arranged in such a magical way that fresh air always flows there. The huge boulders are cut in such a way that an analogy with Peru and Bolivia and their unknown technologies that were used in the construction of megalithic masonry immediately comes to mind. This sacred historical landmark of the island, a place of power and a witness to the times.

Mihitnale

In Mikhintala you immediately understand the difference and see two time layers. There was once an ancient civilization on the island, comparable in power to those that left their mark in South America. And then another came to her place, she built from simple bricks, but understood that she needed to imitate the first buildings. And of course, among other things, there is something light and pleasant here.

It happens that in places of ancient civilization there is the dark energy of those who no longer understood the meaning of the buildings and sacrificed innocent people. This is not the case in Mihintala in Sri Lanka. Here the lotuses actually bloom and their pure aroma spreads. Perhaps it was the influence of Buddhism that defeated the dark energy, or perhaps it was never here. In any case, for us Mihintale has become the place where a state of peace comes to the fore.

Two ways of building in Mihintala, Sri Lanka. The sandstone foundation was built by unknown people, the brick dagobah was created by the Sinhalese

3. The mountain is one of the main attractions of Sri Lanka. And we also fell victims to its unusualness and attractiveness. The most hyped feature of Sigiriya is the frescoes depicting apsaras, celestial dancers. But it seemed to us that even without the frescoes, Mount Sigiriya and the palace of Kasapa, the rebellious king, are so interesting that they are still remembered. And his stone throne, carved directly from the rock, surprised us no less than anything else and remained in our memory forever.

Stairs to Sigiriya

Of course, it is much more interesting for us to look at the megalithic masonry that the palace on the top of the mountain is rich in. And we were again convinced of the multi-layered nature of Sri Lanka's historical cake.

And the climb to Sigiriya will appeal to those who love active recreation and hiking. Even if it is just one mountain, there are not convenient steps everywhere, but climbing up is good for your health and eyes, which open to green views of Sri Lankan fields and hills.

Good to know:

And this is another miracle - the throne of Kasapa. Carved from a single rock on top of a mountain. Sigiriya, Sri Lanka.

4. – an ancient city on the shores of the artificial lake Minneriya in Sri Lanka. The city is very large and beautiful, rich in attractions. Its buildings are amazing, especially the book in stone in the ancient Pali language. Closer to the lake there is a small temple with a stone lion. Of all the cities in the cultural triangle, we found Polonnaruwa the most attractive and interesting to explore.

5. . It's strange to describe a waterfall. You can, of course, indicate its height to give an idea of ​​the size of the waterfall. But is it worth it? A beautiful powerful stream in the morning rays of the sun is not a landmark of the island of Sri Lanka? We really liked the trail to the waterfall, Dunhinda itself seemed charming, and it greatly brightened up our impression of the city of Badulla, which we did not like at all and closes the ranking of our impressions from traveling around Sri Lanka.

Dunhinda Falls near Badulla, Sri Lanka

Tasty theme in Sri Lanka and shopping

While we were traveling on buses around the island of Ceylon, we constantly encountered loud sellers of everything under the sun. We noticed that wadis were the most frequently offered. As we found out, wadi are spicy lentil pies. Taking a risk, we decided to try it. How delicious it was! From then on, as soon as we heard the cheerful “wadi-wadi-wadi”, we immediately bought a whole package for ourselves and enjoyed it!

I would also like to say a few words about shopping in Sri Lanka. Our trips to markets and shops were very successful. First we visited the famous market of world brands in Nuwara Eliya, where we bought an excellent Burton jacket - high quality, beautiful and comfortable. There we bought delicious tea, which we still drink. We also visited several tea factories in Ella, where we also bought tea. Undoubtedly, tea is the main theme in Sri Lanka, and it can also be highlighted as an attraction of the island.

In a Sri Lankan cafe

We purchased durable trekking sandals from Kandy stores that lasted us quite a long time. And we love to walk! And in the capital, Colombo, we visited the House of Fashion shopping center. Again, it is surprising to say that the clothes bought in Sri Lanka lasted a very long time.

We are very happy with our shopping experience in Sri Lanka!

Good to know:

In one of the restaurants for locals

Worst impressions of Sri Lanka - what we didn’t like

The center of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the city is very popular and important for all religious people of the country. However, I personally found it very unattractive. Of course, it makes no sense to assume that a cave can be a beautiful place (although in Thailand, Laos and the USA we saw beautiful caves, religious and not so). And since we ourselves did not appreciate the holiness of the place, the impression turned out to be very average.

- turned out to be a mistake in the route. It’s not at all clear why I decided that this was a nice town. But Badulla is not pretty. At all. This is a typical Sri Lankan town - dirty, noisy. There is nothing special in the city itself, nor are there any special attractions. But there is Dunhinda Falls not far from the city, and after the nature trip I was resigned to the fact that we spent some time in Badulla. Although when we boarded the train towards Ella, I was very happy!

Other than a nice view of the sky, there's not much to do in Badulla

Negombo (Negombo) became our first city we visited in Sri Lanka. Immediately after our arrival, we arrived in Negombo and began to look for a hotel in complete darkness. We were tired, it was dark, and we were brought to some indecently dirty hotel (as is usually the case with a tuker friend), and we no longer had the strength to look for anything else. And we stayed there, and, as it turned out later, we overpaid. But I’ll be honest – it was the worst hotel in my life! Probably, even in Bolivia, during a tour of the Uyuni salt flat, we stopped in a more decent place.

We thought that if we went to the ocean, the impression would improve, but no, Negombo did not become any better. We don't even have any photos left! Although, of course, we ourselves were to blame for everything. We should have prepared better for the trip.

There is another reason to be unhappy with Sri Lanka. When we arrived in Anuradhapura, we immediately fell into the clutches of the driver Akila. He promised to take us around the cultural triangle for two days for an agreed amount and leave us in Kandy. We agreed, deciding that it would be easier if we had our own, and we would manage our time ourselves.

However, as our journey progressed, Akila reconsidered his obligations and tried to earn extra money from us. When we realized this, we decided to replay it. And they outplayed it. I wrote about this in detail in. Akila turned out to be a dishonest person, which even his compatriot admitted. Therefore, we want to warn other travelers about it. No matter how hard he tried, Akila did not spoil our mood and mood, and now we only remember him with a smile. But he, of course, believes that the Russians are just terrible people and did not fall into his traps! Oh no no no!

Yes, we really want to return to Sri Lanka. As I already said, we all dream of living in Ella for a month or two. I would like to travel around the cultural triangle again, either on the buses ourselves or with a more sane driver. See other interesting places and attractions that we didn’t get to during our first trip to the island of Ceylon. And of course, relax on the best beaches of Sri Lanka!

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• We visited the Little Adam's Peak in Ella, but we never climbed the real Adam's Peak (Sri Pada). And I would like to make an ascent on my next visit to the emerald island.
• Instead of or together with Sigiriya, we want to visit the neighboring Pidurangala Temple, which, as they say, is also interesting from a historical point of view, although not as famous as Lion Mountain.
• Last time we also skipped the port city of Galle and the beaches of Sri Lanka, choosing instead to holiday in the Maldives. The only thing left to do is to find a specific place on the island where you would like to lie in the sun and swim in the ocean.
• There is also a very vague desire to go to the Yala Nature Reserve. I don’t yet have an opinion on whether to go on a safari in Sri Lanka, or leave the safari for Africa in Tanzania, Kenya or Namibia.

As you can see, despite its size, the island of Sri Lanka is a country of great beauty, diverse in attractions and rich in impressions.

How to go to Sri Lanka - tours, tickets and hotels

We always plan our trips in advance and try to find plane tickets at a good price. You can look at the cheapest air tickets to Sri Lanka, find out the cost of hotels or choose a tour online yourself:

• Find cheap flights to Sri Lanka on the Aviasales website →
• Book hotels in Sri Lanka on Booking →
• Find a ready-made tour to Sri Lanka on the website

Few of us living in northern latitudes have wondered: what is the island of Sri Lanka, where is it located, what country is it, how to find it on the world map, what is it washed with? Many people are interested in the question - is Sri Lanka India or not? And what part of the world does Sri Lanka belong to?

In recent years, holidays on this piece of land in the middle of the vast expanses of the ocean have become increasingly popular. Tourists come here for the warm sea, sandy beaches, eternal summer, unique souvenirs, and the opportunity to see whales.

In contact with

Geographical location

Geographically, Sri Lanka is located at the southern tip of the Hindustan Peninsula, it can easily be found on the world map in the Indian Ocean, since the state is located in the south of Asia, then the part of the world to which it belongs is Asia. Sandy shores, with a total length of about 1300 km, are washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean.

The island has an elongated shape from south to north; it is separated from the mainland by the Polk Strait, more than five tens of kilometers wide. The southern part of the island consists of mountain terraces that move towards the center into the highlands.

Geographic coordinates of Sri Lanka - 7°45′00″ N. la., 80°46′00 e. d.

Brief information about the country

When Sri Lanka was colonized by England, Portugal and Holland in the 16th century, it was called Ceylon. Now the island is called Sri Lanka, and regarding how the official name sounds in Russian, Wikipedia answers - “Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka”.

Form of statehood – Democratic Socialist Republic. Type of government - presidential republic. The main nationality is Sinhalese. The first states appeared in the 5th century BC. The ancient inhabitants of the island traded with the Chinese, Arabs, and Romans.

From the 16th century to the mid-20th century it was a colonial possession:

• Portuguese;
• Dutch;
• English.

Capital

note: Officially, the main administrative center, the seat of government, is the city of Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte, founded in the 13th century as the Kotte fortress. Located between the Diyavana Oya and Kolonnava Oya riverbeds.

In fact, the economic and cultural center of the country is the city of Colombo, founded in the 7th century, presumably by Arab merchants. Initially, the city developed as a trading port.

Languages

The country has two official state languages ​​– Sinhala and Tamil. In tourist areas, residents understand English.

Visa

Residents of Russia must obtain a visa to visit. The easiest way is to fill out in advance the electronic form posted on the embassy’s website. Upon arrival, pay $35, present a valid passport, completed arrival card and receive a visa.

Note: A visa can also be issued directly upon arrival. However, this will cost more and take more time.

Population

Ceylon is home to more than 21.5 million people. More than ¾ of the population is the titular nation - the Sinhalese, 1/6 - the Tamils. The descendants of Arabs and Austronesians, who are immigrants from, do not exceed 1/12 of the country's population.

In addition, descendants of European colonialists live here: the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British. Their number is about 1/15 of the total number of citizens.

Religion

Take note: Four world religions are officially recognized: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity.

The Sinhalese, the bulk of the population, profess Buddhism. Tamils ​​are Hindus, Islam is traditionally preached by Arabs and Austronesians. The descendants of Europeans are Catholics.

Sea and ocean

In fact, Sri Lanka is washed by the waters of two seas included in the Indian Ocean. The Palk Strait, separating Ceylon from the mainland, connects the Gulf of Mannar in the west with the Bay of Bengal in the east.

The northwestern shores are washed by the waters of the Gulf of Mannar, which is part of the Laccadive Sea.

The northeastern part is washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal, which by its characteristics is a sea. The bay is famous for its coastal mangrove forests, rich in unique underwater world.

The rest of the island's coastline is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean itself. The sea coast with lazy surf is perfect for a beach holiday. Fans of active recreation should choose ocean beaches with their ever-roaring waves.

Currency

The national currency of the republic is the Sri Lankan rupee. 1 US dollar costs about 153 Sri Lankan rupees. 1 Russian ruble costs approximately 2.62 rupees; a euro costs about 166 rupees.

Transport

Sri Lanka has a fairly developed ground transport infrastructure:

• tuk-tuks are the main type of transport, and are a cross between a motorbike and a pedicabs. It is allowed to bargain on the price of the trip;
• city ​​buses;
• an extensive network of intercity buses, which is the most comfortable form of transport;
• railway connections between populated areas;
• Taxi. Developed only in tourist areas and capitals.

Car and scooter rentals are also available. Just keep in mind that:

• the authorities do not recognize any rights other than local ones;
• Only persons over 21 years of age are allowed to drive.

Difference in time

Moscow time is 2.5 hours behind Sri Lankan time. The time is 4.5 hours ahead of Sri Lanka, and 1.5 hours ahead of Novosibirsk. It is located in almost the same time zone as Sri Lanka: the difference is only 30 minutes.

What to bring

Since ancient times, the island has been famous for its tea plantations, spices, and pearls. The number of tea varieties is so large that it is almost impossible to taste them all.

For decades, precious stones mined from the depths of Sri Lanka have been highly valued in jewelry markets: sapphires, emeralds, almandines, opals, tourmalines, topazes.

Therefore, you should bring from your trip:

• ceylon tea. You can buy it on plantations, in stores, and in the market. The price greatly depends on the proximity to tourist areas;
• spices: vanilla pods, pepper, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon sticks;

• natural essential oils tropical plants: vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, sandalwood, wild lemongrass, vetiver;
• jewelry with precious stones.

Advice: When purchasing, you should pay special attention to the metal: gold and silver are exported, so no one is responsible for the quality of the metals.

The stones have a mineralogical passport, which will need to be presented when going through customs;

• cotton clothing. For its production, Indian cotton is used, characterized by long fibers that give the fabrics softness.

Climate

The island is entirely located in the zone of humid equatorial climate with a transition to subequatorial climate. The climate on the coast is monsoon.

The high season is winter. The climate is mild. There is practically no change in seasons. Ceylon is the kingdom of eternal summer. Even in the mountains, snow never falls. There are practically no average daily temperature fluctuations.

Note: the pole of cold is Nuwara Eliya, where the average daily temperature ranges from +11° to 13°C.

Air and ocean water temperatures are always almost the same, 30°-32°C. The sea water temperature is 1–2°C lower. Night temperatures rarely drop below +25°C.

In the highlands the climate is less hot, the temperature rarely rises above +25°C. Climatic conditions are such that the local southern winter is much warmer than our northern summer.

How to get there

Direct regular flights from Colombo International Airport operate only to one Russian city - Moscow. Flight period: from June to August.

Direct charter flights are organized from other Russian cities to Colombo, information about which can be obtained from the tour operator organizing the trips.

It is convenient for residents of the Asian part of the country to fly with transfers at the following airports:

• Beijing;
• Seoul;

There are year-round regular direct flights with these cities. Russian airlines have tariff agreements with Asian airlines operating flights to Ceylon.

For residents of the European part, it is convenient to fly via Dubai or Doha. In addition, you can fly from Russia to Ceylon via, Mumbai, Delhi, Tashkent. These routes require 2-3 transfers.

Resorts

Resort areas are located in almost all corners of the country:

Negombo

In the western part of the country, the most popular resort is the fishing village of Negombo, located on the shores of the lagoon of the same name. Historically, the area is notable for its Portuguese fort, which the Dutch turned into a prison. Of interest to fans of history, cultural studies, and ethnography.

Advice: Negombo is ideal for those who love a lazy time on the beach.

Colombo

The popular youth resort of Colombo, the cultural capital of the country, is located on the shores of the bay of the same name in the west of the country. Like any eastern city, Colombo lives in contrasts: poverty borders on wealth, shacks of the poor huddle next to fashionable buildings.

The cleanliness of wealthy neighborhoods is replaced by the trash of slums. Glitter and poverty, eternal celebration and eternal work, past and future - all this is intertwined on the streets of Colombo. Of interest to lovers of active recreation.

Bentota

A romantic resort on the sea coast is perfect for peace and lazy relaxation. It is a quiet place with a leisurely pace under the shade of palm trees. The main type of recreation is beach. Located southwest of Colombo.

Kalutara

It is located on the shores of the Laccadive Sea, where the Kalu River flows into it.

Aimed at lovers of active recreation and water sports.

Halle

The city is located in the southwest and is notable for its architecture. This resort is suitable for a relaxing, secluded holiday.

Induruwa

Located in the west of the country. It recently acquired the status of a resort, so the flow of tourists is still small. Fans of a leisurely, measured holiday will appreciate the sandy beaches in the vicinity of the town.

Unawatuna

A small town in the south of Sri Lanka on the shore of a bay protected from ocean waves by a coral reef. Popular among lovers of individual travel.

Take note: Unawatuna is ideal for a relaxing holiday with children.

Resort on the southern tip of the island. Quiet place away from civilization. The unique underwater world attracts diving fans.

Kogalla is famous for its boat excursions, where you can spot wild whales and dolphins.

Mirissa - the best beach

Experienced surfers come to Mirissa for the high waves. Untouched, wonderful nature and lack of economic activity create a feeling of paradise. The place is secluded and conducive to a romantic getaway. The usual resort entertainment is missing.

Surf paradise

The open ocean coast of the southern tip of the island is popular with surfers. The surf allows surfing all year round. Sandy beaches are good for beginner surfing. Experienced surfers catch waves among rocks and reefs.

Interesting to know: Hikkaduwa is the most popular beach among surfers. Beginners can take individual lessons from professional instructors or sign up for classes at surf schools.

Surfing schools also operate in Kogalle, Unawatuna, and Weligama.

Shopping

Shopping is amazing in its variety and will bring true pleasure to those who love to shop.

Note: like everywhere else in the east, it is customary to bargain here. Local merchants do not like those who buy without bargaining. For them, this is one of the types of communication, a centuries-old tradition that is observed to this day. In addition, by haggling it is quite possible to reduce prices by several orders of magnitude.

While vacationing on the island, you should visit numerous jewelry factories with shopping centers. The range of jewelry shopping centers amazes with the variety and beauty of the products presented. Local jewelers can create custom jewelry with your favorite stones.

After taking a trip to the tea plantations, strolling through the spice gardens, it is worth visiting the shops. True, prices there are much higher than in small shops and markets.

At local markets you can buy exotic fruits, spices, herbs, and essential oils. In addition, here you can purchase clothes made from cotton or have them custom-tailored.

This is especially true for the countries of Southeast Asia. Even if tourists bring any plants or seeds, they can simply be confiscated at customs. To prevent this, it is recommended to refuse the purchase or issue a herbal passport. It is better to carry fruits in packed luggage, this way they will definitely not be confiscated.

Tips

Leaving a tip is voluntary. Hotel staff, guides, porters, and drivers are advised to tip a dollar.

In cafes and restaurants, tips are already included in the bill. In other cases, tourists determine the tip size themselves; the maximum amount can reach 10% of the check value.

Kitchen

The national cuisine of Sri Lankans is predominantly vegetarian with a lot of spices and herbs. The main food product is rice. Local cuisine originates from Indian cuisine; the Portuguese, Dutch, British, Arabs, and Chinese contributed to it.

Therefore, modern dishes are a mixture of the culinary traditions of these peoples. A spice for all occasions is curry, which is served as a side dish with boiled rice.

Hotels offer tourists the usual Europeanized menu. National dishes are served in adapted form. You can try authentic Sri Lankan dishes in restaurants frequented by locals. For most Europeans, national dishes seem very spicy; this must be kept in mind when ordering dishes.

Flora and fauna

The fauna of this corner of the planet is one of the most diverse. The island is home to many endemic species of animals, amphibians, birds, insects that are found only here - 16% of the total.

More than half of the species are threatened with extinction:

• Indian sambar deer;
• Sri Lankan leopard;
• Sri Lankan elephant;
• sloth bear.

The island is also home to more than 200 species of birds, a quarter of which are also endangered. More than half of the amphibians may also disappear forever, and more than a hundred species live here, 90% of them are endemic.

Scammers on the island

You can come across scammers everywhere: on the street, in restaurants, shops, in transport. Traders and drivers usually quote a price that is many times higher than the actual price. There is only one piece of advice: find out the cost in advance and bargain desperately.

You can also become a victim of scammers when exchanging currency; tourists are often lured by a tempting exchange rate. Therefore, it is necessary to remain vigilant, not to be fooled by tempting offers, while maintaining a critical perception. As the saying goes: free cheese only comes in a mousetrap.

Attractions

Sri Lanka is a country with a thousand-year history and unique nature.

Traveling around the island, you can see architectural monuments that are cultural heritage under the protection of UNESCO:

• the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, built three thousand years ago by Indians;
• ancient man-made lakes;
• the Sigiriya palace complex, located on mountain terraces;
• Horton Place National Parks, Yala;
• royal botanical garden;
• legacy of the colonial period;
• numerous ancient temples.

In fact, the whole of Ceylon is one big attraction. Nearby are the eras of Ancient India and colonization, modern buildings and ancient palaces, botanical gardens and thousand-year-old plantations.

tour cost

The cost of a week-long package tour for two with departure from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk starts from 60 thousand rubles.

Sri Lanka is a kaleidoscope country. Otherwise, I cannot name all the magnificent opportunities that it provides to tourists and travelers of any age, gender and religion.

Preparing each trip to this seemingly small island turns for me into a new and new combination of elements of a large construction set: endless sandy beaches, history and culture of antiquity, extreme sports, romance of the ocean, travel to emerald mountain peaks and much more.

There is so much to see on the island that, as a rule, the trip is not limited to one destination. A ring is the ideal form of a route in Sri Lanka. The beginning and end are Bandaranaike Airport, and everyone chooses the points on the circle to their own taste.

My first trip to Sri Lanka was very luxurious and expensive. But the island made such an impression on me that I wanted to come back here again, so I began to look for more affordable ways to travel around Sri Lanka, take a closer look at the life and way of life of the locals, gradually turning a seemingly impossible fairy tale into reality. So over time, Sri Lanka became my second home.

The island really has a lot to offer in terms of attractions and interesting places, so I love not only traveling around it myself, but also creating routes for friends who come here.

Visa and border crossing

The popularity of Sri Lanka among independent travelers is also due to the accessibility and ease of obtaining a visa. Package tourists can also appreciate the efficiency of the officers at the airport's passport control.

The cost of a visa to Sri Lanka for Russians and CIS citizens: at the airport - 40 dollars, electronic visa - 35 dollars. It is valid for 2 entries within 30 days. This is convenient if you want to fly, for example, to the Maldives or India.

I recommend applying for an electronic visa on the ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) website - it’s cheaper and faster at the border. And if you have problems with entry, you will find out about it in advance, and not at the airport in Sri Lanka.

To apply for an e-visa, you must fill out a special form on the website.

Upon completion of registration, you will receive information that the application has been accepted, and after a few hours (up to 24 hours) you will receive confirmation that the visa has been issued.

Please note that closer to the time of arrival in Colombo, flight attendants begin to offer migration cards for registering entry into Sri Lanka. In this form you need to enter the following parameters in Latin:

• First Name Last Name;
• nationality;
• passport number;
• place of stay on the island (if you plan to travel around the island, then indicate the name and address of the first hotel on your route);
• signature.

You can fill out a migration card on the plane and immediately go to passport control at the airport. The procedure is that you hand over the issued card and passport (it must be valid for at least 6 months after the expected end of the trip). Nobody ever asked me for a printout of an electronic visa, a tourist voucher and a return air ticket; all the necessary information is already contained in the electronic database of the Sri Lanka visa service. However, keep these documents handy just in case.

A Sri Lankan visa can be extended up to 3 months and in special cases up to six months. The Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration, where you can go through the relevant procedure, is located at 41, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo.

Depending on the severity of the violation of migration laws in Sri Lanka, various fines are provided, including inclusion in the list of persons for whom entry to the island is prohibited.

How to get there

By plane

The island's main transport hub, Bandaranaike International Airport, is located near Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka.

How and how long to fly is the first question any traveler asks. There are no direct scheduled flights from Moscow to Colombo, but there are charters in the high season (winter). This is about an 8.5 hour flight.

The main way to get from Moscow to Sri Lanka is daily regular flights of Arab airlines that make 1 transfer:

• Emirates - ;
• Qatar Airways -Doha;
• Etihad - .

Flight time including connections increases to 12-14 hours. Ticket price - from 28,000 rubles.

You can get there from other Russian cities using the low-cost airline FlyDubai, which operates flights to major Russian cities with a transfer in Dubai. For cities such as, this is the most cost-effective flight in terms of time and cost.

Airlines hold promotions and sales of tickets to Sri Lanka around March and October. During this period, the cost of the flight can be reduced by 25-35%. Conveniently keep track of prices and discounts.

Tourist regions

The most famous resorts of Sri Lanka are located in the south (the best beach is from Tangalle to Weligama) and southwest () of the island. Eastern Sri Lanka is gaining popularity among tourists every year, attracting with its cleanliness, desert and coral reefs. Also interesting are the two central regions of the country: mountainous Sri Lanka with developed trekking routes among the green hills and the so-called “cultural triangle” - a historical area between the three ancient capitals of Ceylon (Anuradhapura, ).

Each resort has its own characteristics and offers vacationers a vibrant range of entertainment and interesting excursions.

South West Coast

Since the southwest of Sri Lanka is famous for its wide variety of beaches, I have compiled my personal rating of the best of them:

• - a popular resort in Sri Lanka. Its beaches are preferred by newlyweds for a romantic trip or a wedding ceremony. You can find your way around prices for tours to Bentota. In addition, there is a special program to support the Bentota area as an Ayurvedic resort, so there are several specialized centers here, and each hotel has its own SPA programs. On one of its beaches there is the most popular water entertainment center on the island, there is everything from fishing, surfing to water skiing, yacht trips
  The quiet lagoon of Bentota allows you to swim here all year round - this is its big advantage. And the relative proximity to the airport (115 km) makes the resort one of the most accessible on the island.
• Beruwela- a resort with many attractions related to Islam. The main one is the ancient Kechimalai Mosque. Muslims from all over the world make pilgrimages here on religious holidays. Beruwala also has a number of large hotels with Ayurvedic SPA salons, tennis courts, golf courses, and traditional water activities on the beaches - surfing, diving, fishing. This area, as a continuation of Bentota, is also very clean, but it is cheaper. Among the minuses is the city of Beruwala itself. If you decide to go to areas where local residents live, you will be greeted by dirt and restless beggars - both children and adults.
• Hikkaduwa- an excellent place for surfing and diving, which, although not fashionable, is adored by young people and extreme sports enthusiasts. Unlike most resorts in Sri Lanka, there are plenty of fun bars and discos. And the main attraction of Hikkaduwa is the coral reserve.
  Local seafood, which can be tasted in street restaurants, is especially popular, including with me and my friends.
• Mount Lavinia– a resort with a centuries-old history and several large modern hotels. Currently, it is a large city adjacent to the economic center of the country, Colombo. Among the main attractions are the Dehiwela Zoo with more than 300 species of animals, as well as the huge Bolgoda Lake - the largest fresh water reservoir in Sri Lanka. The resort is aimed at tourists as much as possible: many hotels and even hostels do not accommodate Sri Lankans themselves. The main advantage of Mount Lavinia is its proximity to the airport (49 km).
• Tangalle– one of the southern resorts of Sri Lanka, designed for lovers of solitude (!!!), endless sandy beaches. There are also excellent opportunities for diving and snorkeling.
  In this area you will find both luxury hotels and cheap guest houses. Local fishermen daily catch several types of fish and seafood, which are skillfully prepared in local restaurants.
• - the southernmost resort of Sri Lanka. Near its beaches is the city of Matara and Cape Dondra - the extreme point relative to the equator. The beaches of Mirissa are characterized by calmness and tranquility. The few hotels in the resort are intended more for those traveling around Sri Lanka on their own; there is no infrastructure for package tourists here.
  
The resort's signature feature is a boat trip to the blue whales that spend the winter nearby. Also among the advantages of Mirissa is the ability to get there in 1.5 hours from Colombo by bus along the expressway.
• Kalutara- a modern developing resort. It is known throughout the world for its spices, as well as the juicy tropical fruits that grow in the area. The Gangatilaka Vihara Temple is the most famous landmark of the city. This is a huge hollow stupa (the only one in Sri Lanka) that you can enter. I definitely recommend visiting this unique object of its kind. The downside of the resort is the relative proximity of the city of Kalutara itself, its noisy streets, bustle, railway, city drains that go past the beaches into the ocean. Also in Kalutara there are no shallow waters as such, so I do not recommend holidays with children.

Northeast coast

Since Sri Lanka's airport is located on the opposite side of the island, getting to the northeast is more difficult. But nevertheless, several resorts with their own unique characteristics can be distinguished here:

Central Highlands

An unforgettable contrast with beach Sri Lanka is guaranteed!

It is always very hot here during the day, and at night the temperature drops to 12 degrees, so you will need a jacket or warm sweater to travel to these parts.

Two main points of visit to the mountainous part of Sri Lanka, each of which has its own unique appearance and history, are Nuwara Eliya and Ella.

By the way, between them you can take a fascinating three-hour journey by train among pristine eucalyptus groves and emerald tea plantations.

"Cultural Triangle"

4 of the 8 UNESCO sites of the island of Sri Lanka are located in a small area, which is formed by lines connecting the cities of Anuradhapura, Pollonaruwa and Kandy. At different times, each of them was the capital of Ceylon.

To explore the main cities of the “triangle”, it is enough to allocate 1 day. You can spend a little less time exploring Anuradhapura, but a little more time exploring Kandy. Each city has the minimum necessary tourist infrastructure: hotels, guest houses, restaurants, shops. In Kandy, of course, it is more developed, since it is the second largest city in Sri Lanka.

In addition to the above cities, the attractions of the “cultural triangle” also include, visiting which takes about 3 hours for each object. But you can set aside a separate day for them.

It is convenient to book hotels in Sri Lanka on Booking - before you can compare hotel prices. You can view offers from owners for apartments and apartments at.

Top cities

In order to know Sri Lanka from A to Z, I recommend visiting cities that will show the island from different sides:

Islands

Sri Lanka is an island in itself, but nevertheless, it has a small number of satellite islands, some of which would be interesting to include in your travel itinerary.

The names of some northwestern islands end with “thivu”, which means “island” in Tamil: Punkuduthivu, Mandaitivu. Some of the islands have retained the names of Dutch cities since the colonization of the country. For example, an island.

The most notable:

Top attractions

The peculiarity of Sri Lanka lies in the unique opportunity to combine a relaxing holiday on the ocean with an educational excursion program. The island is home to 8 UNESCO sites, as well as various historical and natural attractions. You can explore them either as part of an independent trip (cheaper and more interesting with preliminary preparation), or buy excursions from agencies and representatives of travel agencies (very expensive, but reliable and more comfortable).

• Sigiriya- a historical complex (UNESCO heritage site), located on a high cliff in the very center of the island. King Kasapa, who came here, turned the caves of the monks into a magnificent city with a palace, temples, and outbuildings. The pearls of Sigiriya are a huge (140 by 40 meters) gallery of frescoes, as well as images of a snake and a giant lion carved into the rocks, of which only the lower part with paws has survived. Read all about Sigiriya.

• Golden Temple- a complex of cave temples shrouded in legends, which contain a huge number of images of Buddha - frescoes, drawings, statues. The paintings on the walls tell about the main moments of the Buddha's life. Read more about the temple and its surroundings.

• Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. A sacred place for Buddhists all over the world! Perhaps this is one of the most luxurious temples in Sri Lanka. Previously, there was a royal palace on this site, so you can see a lot of interesting things: wood carvings, gilding, paintings, religious objects and much more. I wrote in detail about the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Weather

Luck or not, it’s summer all year round in Sri Lanka: daytime air temperatures range from +28 °C to +33 °C (at night +24 °C ... +26 °C). The water temperature in Sri Lanka is +27 °C ... +29 °C.

The tropical climate and monsoon winds determine the seasons on the island. There are two of them: dry and cool, wet and hot seasons. The comfort of beach holidays and swimming mainly depends on this. Otherwise, you can go to Sri Lanka at any time of the year, as there is sure to be something interesting in every period.

The northeast and southwest coasts take turns sharing the palm among visitors to Sri Lanka. In addition, tourists travel throughout the year to the excursion sites of the island, and also climb the mountains located in the central part of the country.

Conventionally, the periods of the high tourist season on the coasts can be divided according to the principle - in summer it is better to go to the northeast, and in winter - to the southwest. More detailed information by month:

The off-season in Sri Lanka is characterized by unpredictable weather - it may not be ideal, but it is quite suitable for relaxation. For example, in April is the best time to visit the mountainous part of Sri Lanka with its emerald tea plantations, but you can quite comfortably spend a few days on the beaches of the southwest coast:, Hikkaduwa,. May is a good time for an excursion holiday, visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites located on the island. An excellent addition to this route would be a holiday on the northeast coast: Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Appuveli.

The rainy season in Sri Lanka brings with it partly cloudy weather, short-term, often 2-5 minute (sometimes up to 15 minutes) heavy torrential rains. As a rule, precipitation occurs at night, but there are exceptions. In the off-season, tourists can be frightened by strong winds, as well as large waves in the ocean, which practically reduce swimming to nothing.

If you choose a hotel with a swimming pool, your stay can be quite comfortable; in addition, during the low season, housing prices drop significantly.

Swimming in the ocean during the rainy season is still possible if you choose the right beach with a lagoon or one closed by islands. This location calms the raging waves. There are similar stretches of beaches in both the southwest and northeast of Sri Lanka.

Moving around the country

Sri Lanka is a former colony of Great Britain, which is probably why traffic here is on the left.
Getting around the island by public transport (buses, trains) is very cheap. For example, a car transfer from the airport to Bentota costs 68 dollars (10,000 rupees), the same distance by 2 buses costs 2 dollars (300 rupees), by bus and then by train costs 0.85 dollars (120 rupees).

Connection

Roaming or local connection

Cellular communications and the Internet are actively developing in Sri Lanka.

The island, by analogy with Russia, has its own “big three” mobile operators - Mobitel, Dialog, Etisalat, each of which has its own travel offers for a set of international minutes, domestic calls and Internet traffic.

By purchasing a local SIM card, talking to Russia will be much cheaper than paying for roaming to domestic operators. For example, the cost of a minute for MTS is 250 rubles, and for Dialog it is 9 rubles. Calls from a hotel landline are also not cheap.

Which tariff to choose

In my experience, the most stable connection is Dialog, Etisalat. But Dialog is cheaper, so I prefer it for relaxation. The minimum tariff is 5.5 dollars (780 rupees). This is enough for calls to Russia and communication on social networks for a couple of weeks. You can play it safe and, in order to be always in touch, purchase a more expensive Dialog tariff - more minutes and Internet traffic.

If there is a need for frequent calls or remote work via the Internet, then the best option is Etisalat. A little more expensive, but the volumes of minutes and Internet traffic provided are greater.

Where to buy a SIM card

A SIM card from one of the local operators can be purchased directly at Colombo International Airport in the waiting room (immediately behind the exchangers). Representatives of the mobile operator will perform all the manipulations with your phone to activate the tariff, but you can simply buy a card and do all the operations yourself according to the instructions or with the help of English-speaking call center operators.

Similar SIM cards can be purchased at mobile phone stores in cities. Topping up your account using telephone cards is also available everywhere, which can be purchased in stores, shops, post offices and gas stations.

The areas of Colombo and the resorts in the southwestern part of the island are best covered by mobile communications. In the north and east, only large cities can boast of stable mobile communications and the Internet.

WiFi

As a rule, hotels in Sri Lanka have wi-fi. In large chain hotels it is available everywhere, and in small hotels and hostels - at the reception and in common areas. Most often this service is free.

In large cities and resorts there are also Internet cafes that allow you to access the Global Network, but they look very suspicious and unsafe.

Helpful information

Service numbers: ambulance and fire - 112, police - 119

Language and communication

In total, Sri Lanka has about 22 million citizens, of which 10 million live in Colombo, the economic capital of the island.

The official languages ​​in Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil, but English is actively used in government agencies and the tourism sector. At the everyday level, it is mainly city residents who speak a foreign language, but even in the outback they will try to answer you or find someone who speaks at least a little English.

In resort areas, the Russian language is becoming increasingly popular among residents involved in the tourism sector, knowledge of which allows a Sri Lankan to find a better-paid job in this industry.

10 phrases you need to know

• Hello (may your years last) – Ayubovan;
• Thank you – Situtius;
• Please – Kurunakara;
• Yes – Oh;
• No – Epa;
• How much does it cost - Kiyade gane;
• Expensive – Ganan;
• Cheap – Labayi;
• The other is Anyt;
• Drink – Bonava;
• Doctor - Dostara.

Features of mentality

Among the population of the island, two nationalities can be distinguished:

• Sinhalese (75%), who mostly profess Buddhism;
• Tamils ​​(12%), who live mainly in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka, their main religion is Hinduism.

Basically, religious communities live separately, forming entire districts of the city or region. From my own experience, I can note that the cleanliness and comfort of the area greatly depends on the religion professed by the local residents. Buddhism implies the formation of harmony around, so its adherents constantly wash, sweep, repair something - they attach great importance to order. This contrast is striking when driving through the country. In Muslim or Hindu areas, they don’t think so much about the existence of things, hence the garbage, and there are many times more unkempt places.

In general, Sri Lankans are very friendly and always ready to help. Of course, there are crooks, but they clearly don’t think about their karma, as the vast majority of the island’s inhabitants do. Even if they are poor now, it is very important for them to move on to the next life with a “clear conscience.”

I love local residents for their high moral principles, for their family life (good upbringing of children and respect for elders). Sometimes all this is reminiscent of our Soviet times, although European values ​​are slowly being introduced into the minds of young people, destroying traditional foundations.

It is customary for them to set a large table with a huge number of different dishes. But if a foreigner comes to the family, then they feed him first, and only then the owners themselves begin to eat.

Sri Lankans also love holidays, often visit temples, and attach great importance to rites and rituals.

Food and drink

Features of Sri Lankan cuisine

The hot and spicy food of Sri Lanka can be a big challenge. A magical phrase comes to the aid of the traveler “but spicy”, however, this does not guarantee that the food will be similar to European. This is a classic feature of the cuisines of all Asian countries.

The charm of Sri Lankan cuisine is in its simplicity. The basis of most dishes is vegetables, rice, fish, spices. This is still the same constructor, in the center of which is rice. Various curry sauces are placed around it - a mixture of ginger, turmeric, pepper, coriander, cinnamon, garlic. A lot of local dishes are prepared using coconut juice, oil, and shavings.

What do the locals eat?

As true Buddhists, Sri Lankans practically do not eat meat and very rarely consume poultry. Mostly pork, beef, and chicken dishes are prepared for tourists in resort areas and large cities. The cow is a sacred animal, but in Sri Lanka they are more tolerant when it comes to eating its meat than in neighboring India.

As for seafood, it is not always available to the average Sri Lankan, because... their prices are high by local standards. The entire catch is sold to cafes and restaurants. Typically, Sri Lankans eat small fish or umbalakadu, a fish powder that is added to sauces. But it’s simply impossible to visit here and not try lobsters and the freshest fish. For those who cook on their own, you can purchase cheaply at special fish markets. They work from 4 to 7 am.

Where to eat

In Sri Lanka you can eat on almost every corner. These are mainly street snack bars, cafes, and restaurants.

Don't be afraid to eat at street establishments. The chance of tasting stale and tasteless food is higher in cafes and restaurants. On the street, dishes are prepared before your eyes, and if there are many customers sitting in this eatery, then the food is definitely fresh, the reputation of the establishment has not been damaged in any way.

In expensive restaurants, various surprises and discrepancies may await you. Although we must admit, Colombo is home to the most upscale restaurants in Sri Lanka with amazing luxury national and European cuisine.

All fast food restaurants (KFC, MCDonalds, Burger King) are also concentrated in large cities. It should be noted that even in such establishments local dietary habits are taken into account - there are many vegetarian dishes. A full meal at your local MCDonalds will cost you $4 (Rs 600).

Prices for local food in Sri Lanka are very low.

In street eateries you can have a snack for 1-1.4 dollars (150-200 rupees). Lunch at a good restaurant in the resort area will cost 10-20 dollars (1500-2500 rupees) per person.

About drinks

• In a hot country like Sri Lanka, you definitely need to drink a lot. Tap water can only be consumed after boiling, and it is better to always buy bottled water, which is sold everywhere and is very cheap. Must be on the bottle SLS label(Sri Lanka Standards Institute).
• Milk is expensive here. It spoils quickly, so preservatives are often added to it. Everywhere they sell milkshakes in bags with the addition of cocoa, vanilla, etc. Pay attention to the expiration date. I advise you to buy milk in the areas of Nuwara Eliya, where many farms and large dairies are located.

• A popular drink in Sri Lanka is coconut milk. But do not forget that this is a strong diuretic.
• Ceylon tea is a classic drink, aromatic and strong, so locals often dilute it with milk. The surrounding environment of the island makes the usual ritual of tea drinking more elitist and unforgettable.
• Fruit juices (mango, banana, papaya) and lassi (yogurt, fruit, sugar, ice). Fresh juice will be prepared for you right at the street kiosks. The magic words to the seller are “but ice, but sludge” (the ice is made from unknown water, and the fruit is already quite sweet).

• Ginger beer is a soft drink similar to soft cola, but with ginger flavor and aroma.
• Arrack – coconut vodka. Often used with Zhinzha to remove the strength. Price: about 3.5 dollars (500 rupees) per bottle. The best variety of Arak is Old Reserve, which costs about $7 (1,000 rupees).
• The most popular types of beer in Sri Lanka: Anchor, Lion (Stout and Lager), Three Coins (similar to Belgian).

You won't find alcohol in supermarkets. It is sold in specialized Wine Stores.

Their prices are usually high, because... Sri Lanka has high import duties on alcohol. In addition, the sellers themselves make a decent markup. Alcohol and beer are sold without restrictions in hotels and restaurants.

5 dishes worth trying

Shopping

The shopping you can do in Sri Lanka has a special national flavor. This is felt regardless of the place, be it a market or a shopping center.

Everywhere you can find all kinds of goods: from spices to clothing and precious stones.

What you need to know about shopping in this country

The key rule of shopping in Sri Lanka is “Bargaining is appropriate!”, because in the process you can reduce the price by up to 50% of the original price. On the other hand, the cost of souvenirs and spices can be so meager in terms of rubles that it is easier to do without haggling, but when buying precious stones, leather goods and clothing, be sure to haggle.

Fixed prices in duty-free stores, supermarkets, shopping centers.

Best cities for shopping

Shopping, similar to the classic European one, is perhaps only available in Colombo. There are a number of large shopping centers there, including well-known international brands. In resort areas, shopping usually comes down to buying souvenirs.

What to bring from this country

• Ceylon tea (the best is from the highlands of Ella and Nuwara Eliya. I advise you not to buy the Pekoe and Orange Pekoe varieties; as well as Lipton and Dilmah);
• souvenirs: masks, ceramics, batik, leather goods (for those who like exotic things);
• spices (the cheapest cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, etc. in supermarkets).

Vacation with children

For a comfortable holiday with children, Sri Lanka is a completely suitable place. The beaches are calm, the people are friendly, and the crime rate throughout the country is quite low. Sri Lankans themselves love children very much and treat women with children with respect. The main thing is to try to follow the following rules:

Safety

If you take minimal precautions, your trip to Sri Lanka will be an unforgettable plus. Things to consider:

• Try a cup of real Ceylon tea from the highlands of Nuwara Eliya.
• Take part in the colorful procession of the Esala Perahera festival in .
• Climb the Sigiriya rock. This is a creation of nature framed by human hands.
• Stroll along the golden beaches of Bentota.
• Admire the coral fish in the coastal waters.

Money

The monetary unit of Sri Lanka is the Lankan Rupee (LKR). The change is somewhat similar to ours - 1 rupee 100 cents. Course for spring 2016:

• 1 dollar is equal to 146 Sri Lankan rupees;
• 1 euro - 170 rupees;
• 1 ruble – 2.02 rupees.

For convenience, you can divide all prices by 2 - as a result, you will get the cost of goods and services in rubles.

Yes, currency on the island can be exchanged at any hotel, bank, or large shopping center, but in all my trips to Sri Lanka I have never seen a better rate than at Colombo airport.

You can find exchangers by going to the greeters' waiting area after receiving your luggage. It is impossible to miss them - the doors open, and in front of you are no less than 6 “counters”, where young people change currency at the absolutely same rate for everyone. The check that is issued when exchanging currency allows you to convert rupees back into your currency at the purchasing rate.

By the way, please note that the export of national currency from the country is prohibited, so do not forget to exchange your remaining money back into dollars or euros.

Sri Lankan money is interesting to look at. Banknotes in circulation on the island are in denominations of 10/20/50/100/500/1000/5000 rupees. On them you can see quite interesting, and most importantly, vivid images - local traditions, landmarks, animals, peacocks.

But no matter what, these are the most worn and dirty bills I have ever seen. Either the state infrequently updates the money supply, or the citizens themselves are not particularly careful with banknotes.

The basis of the banking system is the 3 largest banks of Sri Lanka: Bank of Ceylon, People's Bank, Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC. Thanks to them, in large cities there will definitely be no problems with ATMs, they are here at every step. In smaller cities and in In beach resorts, these machines are concentrated, as a rule, in shopping centers or at large train stations.In addition, in chain hotels and shopping centers, credit cards of international payment systems are accepted for payment.

Friends, you often ask, so we remind you! 😉

Flights- you can compare prices from all airlines and agencies!

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Authors: N. N. Alekseeva (Nature: physical-geographical sketch), S. G. Mereminsky (Religion), A. O. Zakharov (Historical sketch), V. D. Nesterkin (Armed Forces), V. S. Nechaev (Healthcare), V. I. Linder (Sports), S. D. Serebryany (Literature), E. M. Gorokhovik (Music), V. A. Pogadaev (Theater), V. A. Pogadaev (Cinema)Authors: N. N. Alekseeva (Nature: physical-geographical sketch), S. G. Mereminsky (Religion), A. O. Zakharov (Historical sketch), V. D. Nesterkin (Armed Forces); >>

SRI LANKA (Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka).

General information

Sh.-L. - state in South. Asia (until 1972 Ceylon). Located on the same street. island and adjacent smaller islands in the Indian region, southeast of India (separated from it by the Gulf of Mannar, Polk and Polk Straits, 55 km wide, with Adam’s Bridge - a chain of shoals and islands 48 km long). The length of the coastline is 1340 km. Pl. 65.6 thousand km 2. Us. 2,0771.0 thousand people (2014, evaluation). Official capital - Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (Kotte; since 1982; seat of parliament and the Supreme Court), actual. capital - Colombo (residence of the president and government). Official languages: Sinhala and Tamil. The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. Adm.-terr. division: 9 provinces (table), which are divided into 25 districts.

Administrative-territorial division (2014)

Sh.-L. – member of the UN (1955); Commonwealth of Nations (1948), IMF (1950), IBRD (1950), SAARC (1985), WTO (1995); the country is a dialogue partner of the SCO (2009).

Political system

Sh.-L. - unitary state. The Constitution was adopted on August 16, 1978. The form of government is a mixed republic.

The head of state and government is the president, elected for a term of 6 years by direct universal suffrage (with the right to one re-election). The President is the supreme commander in chief.

Supreme legislator. body - unicameral parliament. 225 deputies are elected by direct universal suffrage based on a proportional system; the party that received the majority of votes in the k.-l. district, receives additional. place. The term of office of deputies is 6 years.

The Cabinet of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister. The President appoints the leader of the parliamentary majority to this position. Ministers are appointed by the president on proposals from the prime minister. The President, after consultation with the Prime Minister. determines the number of ministers and their competence.

Leading political parties: United National party, United People Freedom Alliance, Tamil National alliance.

Nature

The shores of the island are preeminent. low-lying, often lagoonal (especially in the north and east), bordered by coral reefs, slightly indented, with separate. ingression bays; large peninsula - Jaffna.

Relief

Over 80% of the territory is occupied by low-lying plains (the widest in the north and east), above which rise separate. rocky outcrops. To the center. and south In some parts there is a stepped Central Highlands, consisting of several tiers of leveled surfaces broken by faults; Above the upper tier rise steep peaks - Mount Pidurutalagala (up to 2524 m high - the highest point of Sh.-L.), Adam's Peak, etc. The central highlands are surrounded by elevated denudation plains with protruding hills and ridges in places. Sandy beaches are widely developed along the coasts, sometimes protected by coral reefs.

Geological structure and minerals

Sh.-L. located in the southeast. parts of the Hindustan Platform, the foundation of which is composed of Precambrian gneisses, granite gneisses, scoops, amphibolites, crystalline rocks. slates, quartzites, marbles; Late Proterozoic granites (age approximately 1 billion years), dolerite and pegmatite dikes are widespread, and carbonatites are known. The foundation protrudes to the surface on b. parts of the territory of Sh.-L.; in the north it is hidden under a cover of sedimentary rocks (sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, limestones, sands, clays) of Jurassic and Neogene ages. Along the Indian coast approx. coastal-marine quaternary deposits (pebbles, gravel, sands, clays) are developed. Lateritic weathering crusts are present.

Basic minerals: graphite (Kahatagaha deposits in the North-West Province; near Kalutara, Palinda-Nuwara in the Western Province; near Kandy in the Central Province; near Kegalla, Varakapola in the Sabaragamuwa Province; near Hikkaduwa in the Southern Province, and etc.); coastal-marine ilmenite-rutile placers with zircon and monazite (Pulmoddai); precious and ornamental stones (sapphire and ruby ​​– deposit near Ratnapura, etc.; chrysoberyl, aquamarine, topaz, moonstone, etc.); phosphorites, apatite, feldspars, mica, kaolin and other clays, limestones, quartz sand.

Climate

On the territory of Sh.-L. The climate in the north and east is subequatorial monsoon, in the south and west it is equatorial monsoon. The average monthly air temperature on the plains is 26–30 °C, in the mountains 15–17 °C. The greatest amount of precipitation (up to 5000 mm per year) falls in the southwest. slopes of the Center highlands (mostly sampled during the summer monsoon). To the north-east On the slopes and adjacent plains, the annual precipitation is 1000–2000 mm (mostly during the winter monsoon), and there is a dry season for 8–9 months (spring and summer). The least amount of precipitation (less than 1000 mm per year) falls in the north-west. and southeast coasts. In spring and autumn for many. areas are characterized by heavy convective afternoon (so-called zenithal) rains. In the northeast (in the so-called dry zone), droughts periodically occur. East the coast is exposed to the tropics. cyclones.

Inland waters

The river network is dense. Short, full-flowing rivers (the largest is the Mahaveli-Ganga River) begin on the slopes of the Center. highlands and spread radially in all directions, forming waterfalls in the mountains. River waters are used for irrigation (mainly in the north and east). Many reservoirs and arts have been built. reservoirs (more than 12 thousand), thanks to which the coefficient. The lake content reached 4% (one of the highest rates in the world). Annually renewable water resources amount to 52.8 km 3 (2011), water availability is 638.8 m 3 per person/year. Annual water intake approx. 13 km 3, 88% of water is consumed in the village. x-ve, 6% - in industry, 6% - in municipal services.

Soils, flora and fauna

The soils are red-yellow ferrallitic, along river valleys and along the coasts - alluvial. In the “dry zone” red-brown soils predominate; on the Jaffna Peninsula – calcareous red-yellow soils, as well as poorly developed soils on loose rocks.

The flora includes 3154 species of angiosperms, 1/4 some of which– endemics; 1,385 species are threatened with extinction. Forests occupy 33% of the territory (2015). Wet tropical evergreens. forests have been preserved in the southwest. slopes and in places at the foot of the Center. highlands. The tree stand consists of dipterocarps, palms, breadfruit, etc., and is characterized by a rich undergrowth. Above 1500 m, forest areas alternate with savannah-type grassy heaths with low oaks, and at altitudes. 2000 m there is crooked forest with rhododendrons and ferns. The plains in the north and east, as well as the adjacent slopes of the highlands, are covered with deciduous forests, b. including secondary. Along the north-west and southeast the coasts are thickets of thorny bushes, and in some places near the coasts there are mangrove forests. For the arts. planted forests account for 10.4% of all forests.

The fauna is of the Indo-Malayan type, with an admixture of Madagascar species (lemurs). Mammals include the elephant, Ceylon bear, leopard, lynx, 5 species of monkeys, deer, wild boars, civets, and flying foxes. Of the 240 bird species (parrots, peacocks, flamingos, storks), 27% are endangered. There are 211 species of reptiles on the island, including crocodiles, lizards, and snakes. Insects are diverse: butterflies (245 species), ants, termites, etc. The biodiversity of coastal ecosystems is great (208 species of coral polyps, 756 species of marine mollusks). In the waters of Sh.-L. There are more than 1,300 species of marine fish.

Condition and protection of the environment

Pollution of lands, rivers and reservoirs is typical with runoff containing residual amounts of fertilizers and pesticides applied to fields, in coastal areas - runoff from shrimp aqua farms. There is unsafe disposal of untreated industrial products. and municipal solid waste. Pollution of inland and coastal waters by sewage and agrochemicals has significantly increased the incidence of disease among rural populations. Many aquatic ecosystems have become unsuitable for some species, including freshwater fish and crabs, snails, and a number of aquatic plants. Air pollution is typical for Colombo. Thanks to various measures, including bans on logging in natural areas. forests, deforestation rates in the 2010s decreased noticeably. However, deforestation, fragmentation and forest degradation cause biological damage. diversity.

On the territory of Sh.-L. An extensive network of protected areas has been created, including many nature reserves and forest reserves, marine areas. Hikkaduwa Nature Reserve (southwest coast), national parks (Gal-Oya, Yala, Vilpattu, etc.), UNESCO biosphere reserves, wetlands of international. values ​​(Kumana and Bundala on the south-eastern coast, Lake Maduganga, etc.). Center. Highlands and Sinharaja Biosphere Reserve - objects World Heritage. Flora and fauna are protected in botanical sciences. gardens (the largest is Peradeniya near Kandy).

Population

Most of the population of S.-L. (74.9%) are Sinhalese; Tamils ​​also live (Lankan - 11.1%, Indian - 4.1%), Sri Lankan Moors(9.3%), Malays (0.2%), Sri Lankan burghers(0.2%), Veddy et al. (2012, census).

From ser. 20th century The country's population increased 2.57 times (8076.0 thousand people in 1950; 14912.9 thousand people in 1980; 20359.4 thousand people in 2012, census), the reason for the growth is natural. population growth. Max. growth rates were at stake. 1950s - 1970 (over 2.25% per year), then began to decline (to less than 1% since the mid-1990s), both due to a decrease in the birth rate, which significantly outpaced the decrease in mortality, and because migrant outflow of population (several waves since the mid-1960s). Modern values ​​of natural indicators. population movements (per 1000 inhabitants, 2016): birth rate 15.5, death rate 6.2, natural. population growth 9.3. Coef. fertility rate 2.09 children per woman (2016); infant mortality 8.6 per 1000 live births (boys - 9.5, girls - 7.6), avg. life expectancy of us. 76.8 years (men – 73.3, women – 80.4 years). In the age structure of the population, the share of children (under 15 years old) is 24.5% (2016), people of working age (15–65 years old) – 66.1%, elderly (over 65 years old) – 9.4%. Wed. age of the population is 32.5 years (2016; men – 31.2, women – 33.7 years). There are 96 men per 100 women (2016).

The balance of migration is traditionally negative (1.3 per 1000 inhabitants, 2016); Approximately people live abroad. 3 million Sri Lankans, the most numerous. communities - in the countries of the Middle East (Saudi Arabia - about 600 thousand people, the UAE and Kuwait - 300 thousand each, Qatar and Lebanon - 100 thousand each), Great Britain (500 thousand), Canada (300 thousand). ), India (200 thousand; Tamils) and France (150 thousand).

Wed. density of us. 316.6 people/km 2 (2014). The most densely populated areas are the western, southwestern, central, and extreme northern regions. and east regions of the country.

Share of mountains us. 18.4% (2015). Largest cities (thousand people, 2011): Colombo 753.0 (within the agglomeration over 5.6 million people), Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia 246.0, Moratuwa 168.3, Negombo 144.6 (three the latter - as part of the Colombo agglomeration), Jaffna 88.1.

Economically active us. 9062 thousand people (2016). Structure of employees (%, 2015): in the service sector 45.9, agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing 28.4, industry and construction 25.7. Official unemployment rate 4.5% (2016), including 20.1% (2013) for youth aged 15–25 years. 8.9% of us live below the poverty line. (2010). 4.7% of us are malnourished and hungry. (2014).

Religion

More than 70% of the residents of Sh.-L. – Buddhists (generally Theravada adherents); 12.6% are Hindus; 9.7% – Muslims (mainly Sunnis); 7.4% are Christians, including St. 6% are Catholics (2011 census).

St. 6 thousand Buddhist monasteries; OK. 20 thousand monks, following the single Pali canon, are divided into 3 movements: Siam Nikaya (founded in 1753), Amarapura Nikaya (founded in 1803), Ramanna Nikaya (founded in 1865). There are a number of major Buddhist pilgrimage centers ( Anuradhapura, Dalada Maligawa Temple in Kandy, etc.). Roman Catholic The church is represented by 1 metropolitanate and 11 suffragan dioceses.

Historical sketch

Sri Lanka from ancient times to the end of the Middle Ages

The territory of the island was inhabited in the Paleolithic. The most ancient population were hunting tribes of proto-Australian origin (possibly the ancestors of the modern Veddas). In the history of Sh.-L. (Ceylon) there were several. waves of migration, ch. arr. from Hindustan. In the 6th–3rd centuries. BC e. Aryans penetrated here. According to the legend reflected in the letters. sources, in the 6th century. BC e. on Sh.-L. Prince Vijaya, the forefather of the Sinhalese, and 700 of his comrades, representatives of the Aryans, arrived. All R. 1st thousand rice began to be grown on the island; to the 4th century BC e. refers to the first mention of irrigats. structures on its territory.

The first large state union with the capital Anuradhapura arose in the 5th century and reached its peak under King Devanampiyatissa (250–210) from the Moriya dynasty. Close state and cultural contacts with India contributed to the penetration of S.-L. Buddhism. According to legend, the spread of Buddhism on the island began during the time of King Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty, whose envoy (sometimes “son” or “brother”) Mahinda converted Devanampiyatissa to Buddhism.

In the 3rd century. BC e. from South India on Sh.-L. the Tamils ​​invaded, with whom local rulers had to fight. In the 1st century n. e. The Moriya dynasty was overthrown by King Vasabha (67–111), the founder of the Lambakarna dynasty. Internecine strife led to the 5th century. to the collapse of the state, which made it easier for the Tamil conquerors to take over. parts of the island. The last king of the Lambakarna dynasty was Mahanama (406–428), after which the Tamil kings of the Pandya dynasty seized power. However, Dhatusena (455–473) soon restored the Morya dynasty to the throne. Under him, the Kalaveva reservoir was built between the Kala-Oi and Malvatu-Oi rivers. Dhatusena's son Kassapa (473–491) moved the capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya (in the 6th century Anuradhapura again became the capital).

Throughout the 6th–7th centuries. The struggle for power continued between representatives of the Moriya and Lambakarna dynasties. In the 8th century. a kingdom arose on the island with its capital Polonnaruwa. Its rulers fought against the rebellions of large landowners and fought with the South Indians. kingdoms of Pandya and Chola. In 993, the Chola captured the kingdom of Anuradhapura, and in 1017–18 the rest of the S.-L. The power of the Cholas over Sh.-L. persisted until 1073.

King Vijayabahu I (1073–1110) reconquered the lands from the Cholas and made Polonnaruwa the capital of a new unified kingdom. Sh.-L. reached the pinnacle of power during the reign of Parakramabahu I (1153–86). However, from the end 12th century strife began, which led to the fact that in the 13th–16th centuries. there was no single state on the island; several coexisted at the same time. kingdoms: Jaffna (1215–1620), Dambadeniya (1220–1345), Gampola (1341–1408), Kotte (1412–1597), Sitawaka (1521–94). In the 13th–15th centuries. Sh.-L. was subjected to invasions by the rulers of the South. India, Malacca Peninsula and China. From the 13th century Due to raids and strife, the resettlement of residents to the center began. and southwest areas of the island. Once fertile lands in the north by the 15th century. turned into a jungle. Dominant in Sh.-L. Buddhism interacted with Hinduism, Hindu temples were built in the north and east. In the 15th century from the Sinhala kingdom of Kotte (in the west and southwest) the kingdom of Kandy emerged (1469–1815, in the central regions).

Sri Lanka before the early 19th century

In the 16th century Europe began expansion to Sh.-L. (Ceylon). The Portuguese, led by the first Viceroy of Portugal. India Lourenço di Almeida visited the port of Galle in 1505. In 1517, the Portuguese founded a fort in Colombo. In 1518, the third viceroy Lopu Suarish d'Albergaria concluded the first trade agreement with the ruler of Kotte, Vijayabahu VII (1513–21). The Portuguese received the right to export spices and other goods from the island to Europe in exchange for assistance to Cotte in the internecine wars in S.-L. Colonial authorities in S.-L. were subordinate to the Viceroy, whose residence was in Goa. At the same time, the Christianization of the European island began. preachers. Missions often received lands of Buddhist and Hindu temples. Representatives of the Sinhala landed aristocracy converted to Catholicism and took the Portuguese at baptism. surnames. Portuguese has become widespread. language. In 1560, colonial expansion began in Jaffna, and in 1591 Portugal established a protectorate over it. In 1594, Kotte, with the help of the Portuguese, subjugated Sitawaka. In 1597, after the death of the king of Kotte - Dharmapala (1551–97), who bequeathed all his possessions to Portugal, King Philip I officially became the ruler of the b. part Sh.-L. In 1620, Jaffna was finally subjugated; the entire island, with the exception of the center, came under the control of the colonialists. parts and areas to the east. coast. Long wars with the Sinhalese state of Kandy did not bring success to the Portuguese. Basic Europeans received income from control over trade, and from 1614 - over the production of cinnamon.

In 1602 the first Goll arrived in Kandy. ship of captain Joris van Spielbergen. In 1612, Ambassador Niderl. The East India Company (EIC), Marcellus Boschoover, concluded an alliance with the king of Kandy, Senerat (1604–35), against the Portuguese, in the east. the coast of the island appeared. trading post. All R. 17th century Dutch-Portuguese The rivalry over the island intensified. In May 1638, the NIK and the ruler of Kandy, Rajasinha II (1635–1687), entered into a new alliance against the Portuguese. In 1639, NOIK and Kandy captured the ports of Trincomalee and Batticaloa from the Portuguese, and in 1640 they stormed Negombo and Galle. In 1644, a peace agreement was signed between Portugal and the United Provinces to divide the island into Portugal. and gol. territories. In 1652 military. actions resumed. In 1656, the troops of the NOIK and Kandy took Colombo after a 7-month siege. In 1658, the NOI captured Jaffna, and the last Portuguese fell. fort on Sh.-L. - Negapatam. The Dutch established control over the coastal areas, Kandy retained its independence. Goll. The administration of the island was carried out through the governor and resident in Colombo, who reported respectively to the governor general and the Council for India in Batavia (now Jakarta), where the headquarters of the colonial possessions of the Netherlands in Asia was located. NOIK retained monopolies on cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, and areca palm fruits. New crops were introduced (coffee, sugar cane); plantation production of black pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom was encouraged. The Dutch introduced Protestantism, Netherlands. Many Catholics were transferred to the Reformed Church. temples built under the Portuguese.

From ser. 18th century Anglo-Gall began. fight for possession of the island. After the siege of Madras, Franz. East India Company in 1758–59 Brit. The East India Company (BOIC) became interested in Sh.-L. In 1762, 1782 and 1795, Kandy sent BOIC embassies to propose an alliance against the PBIC. In 1795–96, when the Netherlands was captured by revolutionary troops. France and the colonies lost contact with the metropolis, the BOIC established control over the coastal areas of the island. The captured areas were included in the Madras Presidency. In 1798 the British held an adm. reform. Citizen and military The administration was headed by a governor responsible to the Colonial Office in London. Control over tax collection and trade monopolies remained in the hands of BOIC officials.

Sri Lanka under British rule

In 1800 Sh.-L. removed from the Madras Presidency and declared independent. royal colony of Great Britain, which secured Treaty of Amiens 1802. In 1815 Great Britain annexed the territory of Kandy. After the anti-British rebellion of 1817–18, Kandy was divided into 11 districts and brought under British control. officials. A unified administrative tax system has been introduced throughout the island. In 1833, the trade monopolies of the BOIC were transferred to the colonial authorities. In 1848, anti-colonial uprisings broke out again in the Kandy, Matale, and Kurunegala regions, suppressed by force of arms. Since the 1830s On the lands seized from the peasants, a plantation economy began to be created; coffee, cinnamon, pepper, sugar cane, and cotton were cultivated. Since the 1880s, after the spread of a disease that destroyed coffee plantations, tea and rubber plantations appeared. K con. 19th century they became ch. export crops of Sh.-L., copra and other coconut palm products occupied an important place in the export. A working class was emerging, the bulk of which were plantation workers (mostly immigrants from India). Sharecropping became the predominant form of peasant land use.

In 1865 on Sh.-L. the first national arose. social-political org-tion - Ceylon League. In the beginning. 20th century bourgeois politicians appeared. organizations that demanded the implementation of the constitution. reforms. In 1919, P. Arunachalam, P. Ramanathan, D. B. Jayatilaka, D. S. Senanayake and F. R. Senanayake founded the first major political organization. party - Ceylon National Congress (CNC), which advocated granting an elective majority to the Ceylonese in the Legislature. council, implementation of the principle of territorial representation, formation of a responsible government. In 1922 the Ceylon Workers' Union was created. In 1931 on Sh.-L. a constitution was introduced that provided for the creation of an elected parliament - the State. advice. In the elections of 1931 and 1936, the majority of seats in the State. members of the Central Committee, representatives of the big Sinhala bourgeoisie, received the council. In the beginning. 1930s The anti-colonial movement “Suriya mal” (suriya mal – flowers that were sold by participants in the movement to create a fund to help workers) unfolded in the country.

During World War II, the food issue was especially acute, since Japan, having occupied Burma, stopped the tradition. export of rice to Sh.-L. At the same time, the supply of products from the plantation sector of Sh.-L. continued to bring great profits to Britain. firms and large Ceylon planters. In 1942, the Central Scientific Committee demanded the elimination of the colonial regime after the end of the war. The growth of anti-imperialist movement was forced by Brit. The government appointed a commission to draft a new constitution for Ceylon. Under the pressure of the national liberation. struggle of the peoples of the island and neighboring Asian countries, Great Britain granted Ceylon independence on February 4, 1948 as a dominion.

Sri Lanka after independence

The bourgeoisie gained power in the country. United National Party(UNP), headed by D. S. Senanayake. Under the terms of the Anglo-Ceylon Defense Treaty (1947), the British remained on the island. troops and the military remained. bases. British monopolies continued to occupy leading positions in the export of plantation crops and controlled the country's economy. The course of the Senanayake government was not aimed at decisively eliminating the colonial legacy. The policy of the UNP was opposed by a group of the Tamil bourgeoisie, which created the Federal Party (FP) in 1949. In 1951 a group of activists (under the leadership of Solomon Bandaranaike) left the UNP and formed the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). Its program included demands for the elimination of the colonial legacy and the implementation of progressive socio-economic reforms. transformations. Opposition forces to the government rallied around the LPSL program and created the United People. Front (ONF), which defeated the UNP in the 1956 parliamentary elections.

The government of Solomon Bandaranaike set a course for strengthening the country's independence and tore apart the defense. alliance with Great Britain, announced a policy of neutrality and non-alignment with blocs. In 1957 the British were liquidated. sea ​​and air bases in Sh.-L. Sinhala replaced English as the only official language. language. The government actively supported Buddhist and Sinhalese cultural events. The economy was on a course towards nationalization.

The policies of the ONF government affected the interests of various people. population groups. New status of the Sinhala language. caused opposition from the Tamils. Under hand FP they started the fight to provide Tamil language. state status language. This exacerbated communal strife and provoked mass unrest in 1958. Friction arose in trade unions and conflicts in Buddhist circles. In this situation, political instability and social tension in September. 1959 Bandaranaike was killed. The UNP won the parliamentary elections in March 1960, but the government it created soon received a vote of no confidence. In new elections in July 1960, victory went to the SLPP, the reorganized widow of Solomon Bandaranaike, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, who took the post of prime minister. In foreign policy, a course of “positive neutralism” was taken. The use of Sinhala has increased. as official in the state. institutions and courts. Economical the program provided for accelerating the pace of industrial development and restructuring the villages. x-va, expansion of state. sectors. The SLPP government nationalized the property of three foreigners. oil companies (1963). In 1964, in order to strengthen the social base, the PSSL agreed to a coalition with the Socialist. by the Lankan party. The formation of the coalition aroused opposition from the right wing of the SLPP.

In the parliamentary elections of 1965, a relative majority of seats went to the UNP, and the government was headed by D. Sh. Senanayake. In economic In policy, the government has taken a course towards encouraging the private sector and attracting foreigners. capital. The cooperation of the UNP and the PF led to a number of concessions to Tamil demands. For the first time since 1956, Tamils, in Tamil, were included in the government. was assigned an official status. However, the gradual growth of Sinhala-Tamil disagreements led to the FP leaving the government in 1968. At the same time, the PSSL and a group of Marxist parties (including the Lanka Socialist Party) formed the opposition. United Front (UF), while the government's conciliatory policy towards the Tamils ​​was used to foment discontent, and the provision of benefits to the fatherland. and foreign capital has been heavily criticized. In the parliamentary elections in May 1970, the PF won, receiving approx. 49% of the vote and 115 seats out of 151. The government was again headed by Sirimavo Bandaranaike. The state was strengthened. control over important economic spheres, primarily trade and industry. Attempts to build a socialist societies came across means. economical difficulties caused by balance of payments deficits, increasing foreign debt, the need to finance an expensive social security program and subsidize the sale of grain to the public.

In 1971, Sirimavo Bandaranaike introduced a state of emergency in the country (it lasted until 1977). Following this, anti-government riots broke out. riots by Sinhalese students and unemployed youth in many parts of the country, which were suppressed by force of arms. Land reform began in 1972, and tea plantations owned by foreigners were nationalized in 1975. companies. A series of reforms aimed at active government intervention in the economy led to economic collapse and rising unemployment. According to the constitution adopted in 1972, Ceylon was proclaimed a free, sovereign and independent Republic of Latvia. Pressure from the right wing of the SLPP complicated relations within the ruling coalition. Exacerbation of disagreements between Socialist. The Lanka Party and other coalition parties around the UF platform led to their withdrawal from the government. Having lost support b. including deputies in parliament, Bandaranaike was forced to call general elections for July 1977.

In 1977 Communist. party, Socialist party of Lanka and Nar. democratic party (founded in 1977) formed the United Left Front. In the same year, Tamil nationalists. parties created the Tamil United Liberation Front. In the parliamentary elections in July 1977, the UNP won, its leader, J.R. Jayawardene, became the head of government, and in 1978 he assumed the office of president (according to the amendment to the constitution adopted back in October 1977, the president became the head of executive power). According to the new Constitution, which came into force in 1978, the country received an official name Democratic Socialist Republic of S.-L. The national currency was devalued. currency, a policy was pursued to strengthen the private sector of the economy and attract foreigners. capital, state capital increased significantly. expenses for the implementation of farm development projects. Thanks to high world tea prices in 1977 and 1978, Sh.-L. quickly achieved economic growth and reduction of unemployment. In 1982, President Jayawardene was re-elected for another term; as a result of a referendum, the powers of parliament were extended until 1989.

From the beginning 1980s internal politics situation in Sh.-L. was largely determined by the permanent military-political. confrontation over internal interethnic relations. A complex interweaving of contradictions between two leading ethnic groups. groups - Sinhalese and Tamils ​​- led to the emergence of a separatist movement for the creation of an independent Tamil state. His ch. extremist military-political became the ideologist and inspirer. Sri Lankan Tamil organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE). In 1983, the conflict between the government and the LTTE entered the stage of open warfare. struggle. To achieve your political goals. goals, the LTTE used methods of terror, mainly. bomb. Not only dozens of politicians became victims of the Tigers’ terrorist attacks. figures of S.-L., including the president of the country R. Premadasa (in 1993), but also the former. Prime Minister India R. Gandhi (1991).

In 1994, the Nar coalition. the alliance led by the SLPP won the parliamentary elections, its candidate Ch. Kumaratunga was elected president (before her, after the death of Premadasa, this post was held by Dingiri Banda Wijetunge). In con. 1995 Govt. troops took control of the city of Jaffna, ch. bastion of separatists. Subsequently, LTTE militants switched to guerrilla tactics, concentrating in hard-to-reach eastern regions. areas. In 1999–2000, the LTTE attacked the Govt. troops suffered a series of defeats on the Jaffna Peninsula. On Dec. 2001 time was announced on both sides. suspension of hostilities. In Feb. 2002 Ceasefire Agreement signed. During the period of negotiations with the LTTE in 2002, the government lifted the ban on the activities of this organization in S.-L. In April 2003 The LTTE announced the suspension of its participation in the negotiations. Kumaratunga temporarily suspended the Sri Lankan parliament and took control of three ministerial posts (defense, internal affairs and information). In 2004, she created the Union for the Freedom of the United People (United People's Freedom Alliance) on the basis of the LPSL, a communist. Nar. Liberation Front (founded in 1965) and a number of other parties. After the terrible tsunami that hit Sh.-L. On December 26, 2004, a split began in the coalition: due to disagreements on the issue of control over the distribution of international. to help victims in 2005, the People's Front left the Union. liberation. On Nov. In 2005, upon expiration of her term of office, Kumaratunga resigned as president. From November 19, 2005 to January 9, 2015, President Sh.-L. was M. Rajapakse, one of the leaders of the SLPP. In April 2006 Armament began again. fight against the LTTE. In 2009, the army of Sh.-L. completed the defeat of the LTTE, taking control of all areas remaining under LTTE rule in the North. provinces (Kilinochchi, Elephant Trail and Mullaitivu). Citizen the war of 1983–2009 claimed from 80 to 100 thousand lives. In 2009 Shanghai Cooperation Organization decided to provide Sh.-L. dialogue partner status.

On January 9, 2015, M. Sirisena was elected president, who, despite his many years of membership in the PSSL (1967–2014) and work in the Rajapakse government (2005–14), sharply criticized nepotism and embezzlement in the former government. head of state. In foreign policy, Sirisena advocated equal partnerships with all Asian countries, including China, India, Pakistan and Japan, supporting an “Asian-centric multi-vector foreign policy.” Parliamentary elections took place on August 17, 2015. The victory (about 45% of the vote and 106 seats in parliament) was won by the created United National coalition. Front for Good Governance, including the UNP, United Left Front, Tamil Progressive Union, Ceylon Muslim Union and a number of other parties. OK. The Union for the Freedom of the United People, led by the PSSL, received 42% of the votes and 95 seats.

Diplomatic relations with the USSR were established in 1957. In 1963 and 1974 the Soviet Union. The Union was visited by the Prime Minister. Sh.-L. Sirimavo Bandaranaike. The first visit to Russia by Sri Lankan President M. Rajapaksa in the history of bilateral relations took place on February 6–9, 2010. Trade turnover at the end of 2014 amounted to $545.2 million (Russian imports - $405.7 million, exports - $139.5 million). Russia continues to be the world's largest consumer of Ceylon tea.

Farm

Sh.-L. – Asian. country avg. economic level development. GDP volume (at purchasing power parity, 2015) is 237.8 billion dollars, per capita approx. 10.7 thousand dollars. Human development index 0.757 (2015; 73rd place among 188 countries; 1st place in South Asia).

Economical reforms began in 1977 with the goal of creating a social market export-oriented economy; included measures to weaken state control, privatization and liberalization of foreign trade. GDP growth 1991–2000 avg. per year was 5.2%. In the 2000s. privatization was suspended, and a number of new state governments were formed for the purpose of demonopolization. companies in leading sectors of the economy, the production of internal goods has noticeably intensified. market. To attract foreigners investments, 14 industrial parks and export production facilities were created. zones Economy rates growth is 5.0% (2016), inflation – 4.3%; government deficit budget - 5.5% of GDP, current account balance of payments - $1.23 billion; state debt - 77.1% of GDP, external debt - $47.65 billion. An important source of income is remittances from the Sri Lankan community abroad ($550–700 million per year). GDP structure (%, 2016): service sector 60.6, industry and construction 30.9, agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing 8.5.

Industry

Industrial structure production by industry (% of added value, 2013): food and flavoring 47.0, light 22.9, oil refining and chemical 16.3, mechanical engineering and metalworking 8.5, mining and processing of non-metallic materials. miner raw materials 3.9, other industries 1.4. Ch. prom. center - Colombo (with suburbs).

Fuel and energy complex

Sh.-L. does not have its own mineral reserves fuel. Basic type of energy carriers – oil refining products (boiler and motor fuel, petroleum gas). Crude oil imports approx. 1.75 million tons (2013; main sample from the UAE and Malaysia); production of petroleum products approx. 1.64 million tons, their export is 134 thousand tons, import is approx. 2.83 million tons (growing much faster than crude oil imports), consumption approx. 4.33 million tons. In the city of Sapugaskanda (Western Province) there is the only oil refinery in the country (capacity 2.55 million tons of crude oil per year; currently being expanded). Ch. company - state Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. Import of hard coal 1.23 million tons (2013); from Indonesia; for the needs of the electric power industry.

Electricity production approx. 12.4 billion kWh (2014), ch. arr. under state control Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). Structure of production by type of power plants (%, 2014): thermal power plants 60.8 (based on hydrocarbons 34.8, coal 26.0), hydroelectric power stations 36.7, installations of alternative energy sources 2.5. Installed capacity of power plants is 3932 MW (2014). The largest thermal power plants: coal-fired "Lakvijaya" (Puttalam, North-West Province; capacity 900 MW; division of CEB) and diesel "Kelanitissa" (north-eastern suburb of Colombo Wellampitiya; 550 MW; jointly owned by CEB and " AES Kelanitissa), hydroelectric power plants: Victoria (210 MW) and Kotmale (201 MW; both on the Mahaweli River, Central Province; jointly owned by the Mahaweli Authority and CEB). Structure of alternative energy capacities (%, 2013): mini-hydroelectric power plants 77.8, wind power plants 19.9, biomass power plants 2.2, solar power plants 0.1. The Mannar wind farm is under construction (2016–18; in the Northern Province; capacity 100 MW; under the control of CEB).

Metallurgy

Rolled steel production: 76 thousand tons (2013). Several are valid. metallurgical factories (use scrap metal); the largest are in Oruuol (capacity 250 thousand tons; owner - Ceylon Steel Corporation) and Kanuvana-Kurunduwatta (219 thousand tons; Melwire Rolling; both - Western Province). Non-ferrous metallurgy is represented by the production of titanium (44.4 thousand tons, 2013) and zirconium (38 thousand tons) concentrates, secondary lead (in the export-industrial zone "Marigama", Western Province; under the control of the Indian company " Gravita India"; 3.8 thousand tons, 2013) and rolled aluminum (in Sapugaskanda and Kanuvana-Kurunduwatta). Extraction of precious and semi-precious stones approx. 4100 thousand carat (2013): sapphires, rubies (both near Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa province), chrysoberyl (cat's eye), etc.

Mechanical engineering and metalworking

One of the leading industries is shipbuilding; specializes in the production of auxiliary materials. vessels for offshore oil and natural gas production, sea. wind power and high-speed patrol boats; also produces tankers, bulk carriers (Ceylon Shipping Corporation) and sailboats (American North Sails Group). Marine repair ships (up to 125 thousand tons of deadweight) at the shipyards of the Colombo Dockyard and Colombo Engineering Services companies; Ch. center - Colombo. Production of passenger cars, trucks and special vehicles. cars, buses at company factories: national. "Micro Cars" (in Kelaniya) and ind. "Ashok Leyland" (in Migasmulla, both - Western Province) and "Tata Motors", trucks and motorcycles - ind. "Mahindra & Mahindra" (both in Colombo), auto rickshaws and motorcycles - ind. Bajaj Auto (in Colombo and Hambantota, Southern Province) and TVS Motor Company (Wattala, Western Province). Manufacture of tractors, decomposition. agricultural equipment, forklifts, etc. at the Samarakoon Tractor Industries company in Minuwangoda (West Province). Also produces energy, electrical, medical. and baking equipment, equipment for grain and tea processing.

Chemical industry

Evaporation of rock salt from the sea. water (13 thousand tons, 2013; operated by Raigam Wayamba Salterns) - near Puttalam and Jaffna. Phosphorite production 53 thousand tons (2013; under the control of the state company "Lanka Phosphate") - in the Eppavala region (North Central Province); There is also the production of phosphate fertilizers and livestock feeds (satisfying internal demand by 60%). Release of chlorine, hydrochloric acid, caustic. soda, zinc chloride and bleaches (based on rock salt; in Parantana, Northern Prov.), lubricating oils, greases, brake fluids, polyethylene terephthalate and polyester (based on petroleum products; in Sapugaskand), polyethylene film and plastic products ( in Malabo, Western Province), paints, glues, agrochemicals, veterinary and pharmaceuticals. drugs, personal hygiene products, etc. (in Colombo), detergents (British-Dutch company Unilever plant; in Horana, Western Province). Production of soap, etc. from coconut oil, ethanol from sugar cane. Processing of natural rubber (approx. 70% of the harvest): production of wear-resistant tires and misc. rubber-technical products (household use and sporting goods) in a number of Western centers. Prov.

Forestry industry

Industrial timber harvesting 611 thousand m 3 (2015), production of lumber 61 thousand m 3, wood boards 150 thousand m 3, plywood 6 thousand m 3, veneer 5 thousand m 3; cellulose 18.5 thousand tons, paper and cardboard 24.5 thousand tons, charcoal (including coconut shells) 1.7 thousand tons. Also production of furniture and furniture fittings. Small and medium ones predominate. enterprises; basic some are located in the suburbs of Colombo. Leading pulp and paper manufacturer - National Paper Company; under her control is a factory in Batticaloa (Eastern Province).

Construction materials industry

Production (thousand tons, 2013): kaolin 10.0, graphite 4.2, mica 2.2; cement production 3.0 million tons. Graphite mining is carried out by the following companies: “Sakura Graphite” (in the North-West Province), “Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka” (in the West. Province) and Germany. "Graphit Kropfmühl" (in Central Province). Cement plants of the companies "Tokyo Cement Company (Lanka)" (created with the participation of Japanese capital), "Lanka Cement" and the Swiss. Holcim operates in Puttalam, Trincomalee, Galle and Kankesanthurai (Northern Province). Also producing ceramics. tiles, sanitary ware and porcelain tableware (85% of products are exported).

Light industry

Developed since the 1980s. as an alternative to ind. light industry; busy ok. 15% of the workforce (85% women). They work approx. 900 enterprises producing clothing (including knitwear) of the world's leading brands; b. h is located in Colombo and its suburbs; export of products to Europe. countries and the USA. Production of home textiles and leather shoes. Processing of coconut fiber.

Food industry

Ch. export-oriented industry - tea industry [loaf varieties of black tea are especially famous; leading companies - "Origilal Ceylon Tea Company" and "Ceylon Tea Services" (trademark "Dilmah"); also packaging of tea grew. company "May"]; its export earnings St. $1.5 billion (2013). Production of wheat flour (over 1.3 million tons per year) and mixed feed at the enterprise of the Singaporean company “Prima” in Trincomalee. Production (thousand tons, 2014): sugar 52.2, grows. oils 47.3 (coconut - 95.8%), margarine 7.5; beer 125 (Lion Brewery and Asia Pacific Brewery Lanka companies); strong alcoholic (Arrack brand; made from the juice of coconut palm flowers) and non-alcoholic (including at the factories of the American companies Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo) drinks, tobacco products (Ceylon Tobacco Company).

Agriculture and fishing

Pl. agricultural land 2,740 thousand hectares (2014), of which arable land accounts for 47.4%, perennial plantings - 36.5%, pastures - 16.1%. The area of ​​irrigated land is 600.7 thousand hectares (2011), 92.7% is occupied by rice crops in the dry season.

Leading industry farms - crop production. Plantations are traditionally of great importance. farms. The production of tea, coffee, coconuts, natural rubber and spices is oriented for export; the rest is agricultural. crops are consumed primarily. within the country. Gross collection ch. plantation crops (thousand tons, 2014): tea 338.0 (4th place in the world after China, India and Kenya), coffee 6.1; coconuts 2395.3, copra 152.4; natural rubber 113.1; black pepper 27.8, cinnamon 16.8, ginger 15.5, cloves 5.6. Tea and coffee plantations are common in the center. mountainous areas (including tea - in the provinces of Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and South, at an altitude of over 2100 m), coconut palms - in the west. areas and in the east. coast, rubber plant-hevea - in the southeast. Production of other agricultural products crops (thousand tons, 2014): rice 338.1, corn 241.1; sugar cane 960.4; cassava 301.5, potatoes 82.4, sweet potatoes 50.3; onions 190.2, zucchini and pumpkin 136.5, eggplant 128.3, cabbage 106.9, tomatoes 86.5, green beans 81.7, lettuce and herbs 65.3, chili peppers 62.5, carrots 54.7 , cucumbers 40.4; bananas 642.1, mangoes 76.5, pineapples 46.3; peanuts 25.4, sesame 14.1, cashews 6.4; tobacco 3.3. Cereals are grown in the south and along the east. coast, sugar cane – preem. in the east, tobacco in the north. Near Dankotuwa (North-West Province) there is a nursery for growing flower seedlings (built with the assistance of Dutch companies).

Livestock farming provides internal needs. Livestock (thousand heads, 2014): cattle 1425.5 (including buffaloes 320.7), goats 299.1, pigs 105.2; chickens 16.6 million. Production (thousand tons, 2014): poultry meat 143.9, beef and buffalo 24.8, pork 1.7, goat meat 1.1; milk 248.6 (cow's milk – approx. 4/5 ); eggs 1.7 billion pcs. Food imports are steadily declining (13.1% of import value in 2015 versus 50.5% in 1975); They import grain (wheat and rice), sugar, and plants. oil, animal fats, etc.

Fishing and seafood production 535 thousand tons (2014); The industry employs 272.1 thousand people. Ch. fishing ports are Dikkovita (north of Colombo) and Cod Bay (in Trincomalee). Aquaculture is developing (together with fishing in inland waters: 75.8 thousand tons, 2014). Fish exports: $266.5 million (2014), imports: $144.5 million.

Services sector

Operators of the monetary system: Center. Bank of Sh.-L. (1949; operations since 1950; current name since 1985) and the Colombo Stock Exchange. There are 23 commercial enterprises. (the role of foreign banks is great; leading national - state Bank of Ceylon; non-state Commercial Bank of Ceylon, National Development Bank, Nations Trust Bank, Pan Asia Banking Corporation and Union Bank of Colombo), 9 specialized (all national; assistance, savings . and investment) banks and approx. 30 insurance companies (including foreign). Ch. financial center - Colombo.

The sectors of outsourcing and IT services, as well as software development, are rapidly developing (total turnover of $730 million, 2013). Several are valid. IT parks - in Dematagoda (a suburb of Colombo), Hambantota, etc. The number of landline telephone subscribers is 2.6 million (2015), mobile telephone subscribers are approx. 24.4 million, Internet users St. 6.6 million Leading telecommunications companies companies: Sri Lanka Telecom, Lanka Bell, Dialog, Etisalat, Hutch and Airtel (the last four are controlled by foreign companies).

Tourism is actively developing. business. Total number of foreigners tourists 2.05 million (2016; 336.8 thousand in 2011), most come from India, China, Great Britain, Germany and France; number of internal tourists 6 million (2014). Basic types of tourism: cultural and educational, recreational, environmental. and sporty.

Transport

Basic mode of transport – automobile. The total length (thousand km, 2014) of highways is 114.1, including improved roads of approx. 12.5. Ch. road junction - Colombo. The fleet of road vehicles is 6.3 million units (2015), of which 3.36 million are motorcycles, 672.5 thousand cars. The length of railways is 1,567 km (2015; track width is 1,676 mm); Suburban railway is widespread. message. Length of internal waterways 160 km (2012; in the north-west of the country); pipelines (oil product pipelines) 62 km.

Mor. transport serves foreign trade. Mor. the fleet consists of 21 vessels (2010) with a total displacement of 192.2 thousand tons. br.-t, another 8 go under foreign. flags. The largest pestilence. ports: Colombo (over 5 million TEU containers in 2015, the country’s main container port), Hambantota (named after Magampura Mahindra Rajapaksa; 20 million TEU containers in the future), Trincomalee, Galle and Kankesanthurai (Jaffna outport).

Number of air passengers 4.3 million (2015). The largest airports are Bandaranaike (over 8.5 million passengers, 2015) and Ratmalana (the first in the country; international business aviation flights, etc.) in Colombo and Mattala Rajapaksa in Hambantota. Leading airlines are SriLankan Airlines, Millennium Airlines (charter flights; helicopters and seaplanes).

Foreign economic relations

The volume of foreign trade turnover is 29.4 billion dollars (2015), including exports 10.4 billion dollars, imports 19.0 billion dollars. Commodity structure of exports (% of value, 2015): clothing 43.5 , tea, coffee and spices 16.0 (the main directions of tea supplies are the UAE, Russia, Turkey and Iran), natural rubber and products made from it 7.6, machinery and equipment 4.0, precious and semi-precious stones 2.3, fruits and nuts 2.0. Basic buyers of goods from S.-L. (% of value, 2015): Asian. countries 30.6, Northern countries. America 29.6, Europe. countries 29.1. The most important commodity import items (% of value, 2015): machinery and equipment 25.9, miner. fuel 14.0, plastics 3.9, knitted fabric 3.6, rolled steel 3.1, cotton 3.0, etc. Ch. suppliers of goods in S.-L. (% of value, 2015): Asian. countries 80.2, european countries 9.5, Northern countries. America 4.1.

Armed forces

Armed forces (AF) number 183 thousand people. (2016) and consist of the Army (Ground Forces), the Air Force and the Navy. Paramilitary formation of 30.4 thousand people. Organized reserve of the Armed Forces 5.5 thousand people. Military annual budget $1.97 billion (2016). Supreme Commander. The head of state is the head of state - the president, also known as the min. defense Directly troop control is entrusted to the General Staff.

NE (140 thousand people) is the basis of the Armed Forces. Includes 7 district headquarters and 22 division headquarters, organizationally consolidated into departments. brigades and regiments. The Army is armed with 62 main battle tanks, 15 infantry fighting vehicles, 62 infantry fighting vehicles, St. 210 armored personnel carriers, 96 towed field artillery guns, 28 MLRS of 107 and 122 mm calibers, 784 mortars, 40 recoilless rifles, etc.

The Air Force (28 thousand people) includes a fighter, 3 fighter-attack, 2 transport air squadrons, a training wing, a combat squadron, 3 squadrons of transport helicopters, 2 squadrons of unmanned aircraft, and a security regiment. The Air Force has 30 combat, 21 transport, 14 training aircraft; 11 combat, 18 reconnaissance, 16 transport helicopters; 27 anti-aircraft guns.

The Navy (15 thousand people) has 3 patrol ships, boats, 3 troop transports, 3 transport vessels.

Weapons and military foreign technology production. Manning of regular aircraft on a voluntary (contract) basis. Training of privates and non-commissioned officers - in units and training centers, officers - in the national. military educational institutions and abroad. Mobilization resources 5.4 million people, including those fit for military service. service 4.2 million people.

Healthcare

In Sh.-L. per 100 thousand inhabitants there are 68 doctors (2010), 190 persons. Wed honey. staff and midwives, 10 dentists (2007); 36 hospital beds for 10 thousand inhabitants. (2012). Total expenditure on health care is 3.5% of GDP (2014) [budget financing - 56.1% (2014), private sector - 45.9% (2015)]. Legal regulation of the health care system is carried out by: laws on food control (1980), on health services (1987), on the protection of the rights of people with disabilities (2003), on Wed. honey. personnel (2005), about tobacco and alcohol (2006), about private medical services. institutions (2006), on the treatment and rehabilitation of persons with drug addiction. addiction (2007). The health care system is state-owned. Honey. European help type provided by the state. institutions, free of charge (private medical services are paid). Traditionally widespread. adv. medicine (Ayurveda). The medical system is functioning. insurance. In the state honey. institutions, the level of services is quite high. In rural areas, ambulance and emergency medical services. no help, qualified honey. Insufficient assistance is provided. Medicines are usually dispensed in pharmacies without a prescription. Purchasing medications in small local pharmacies is not recommended (about 60% of them are counterfeit). There is a wide network of Ayurvedic medicines. pharmacies Basic infectious diseases: Japanese encephalitis, malaria, hepatitis B, diphtheria, dengue fever, rabies (2015). Basic Cause of death: ischemic. heart disease, stroke, trauma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis of the liver, etc. Resorts and recreation centers: Anuradhapura, Weligama, Galle, Dambulla, Mount Lavinia, Negombo, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Trincomalee, etc.

Sport

National The Olympic Committee was founded and recognized by the IOC in 1937. Athletes Sh.-L. (1948–72 Ceylon) have participated in the Olympic Games since 1948 (did not participate in 1976); two silver medals were won (as of January 1, 2017) - D. White in the 400 m hurdles (London, 1948); S. Jayasinghe in the 200 m race (Sydney, 2000), she is also a 6-time winner of the Asian Championships in the 100 m and 200 m races, silver (1997) and bronze (2007) medalist at the world championships. The most popular sports: cricket, rugby, aquatics, badminton, athletics, football, basketball, tennis, baseball, etc. In 1996, Sh.-L. was (together with India and Pakistan) the organizer of the Cricket World Cup - the competition took place in the arenas of Colombo (named after R. Premadasa, 1986, about 40 thousand seats; Sinhala, 1952, 10 thousand seats) and Kandy (Asgiriya , 1915; 10.3 thousand places). The winner of the 1996 tournament was the national team of Sh.-L.; in 2007 she lost to the Australian national team in the final; in 2011 – lost to the Indian team. The team's assets include Sh.-L. in cricket also won 5 Asian Cups (1986, 1997, 2004, 2008, 2014). Among the outstanding cricketers is M. Muralitharan (b. 1972). At the Asian Games (1951–2014) 11 gold, 11 silver, 24 bronze medals were won, at the South Asian Games (since 1984) - 210, 351, 553 (in 1991 and 2006 they were held in Colombo). In the Commonwealth Games (1938–50, 1958–70, 1978–82, since 1990) – 4, 7, 2.

Education. Scientific and cultural institutions

The management of educational institutions is carried out by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Advanced Training prof. and technical Education, Ministry of Children's Affairs, Women's Empowerment and Provincial Education Councils. Basic regulatory documents - acts: on higher and professional education (1990, amendments 1999), compulsory. education (1997), about 9-year elementary school (1999). The education system includes: 1–2 years of preschool education (mostly private), 13 years of general education (including compulsory for children aged 5 to 14 years): 5 years of primary education, 4 years of incomplete education secondary, 4-year full secondary, vocational-technical. and higher education. Preschool education covers 95% of children (2013), primary education – 97.2% (2014), secondary education – 85.4% (2011). The literacy rate of the population over 15 years of age is 92.6% (2015) (data from the UNESCO Institute of Statistics). There are 15 state institutions in the higher education system. univ. Ch. scientific institutions, universities, libraries and museums are located in Colombo (including the National Academy of Sciences, National Museum, National Council of Scientific Research, University).

Mass media

Daily newspapers are published (all in Colombo) in Sinhala: “Dinamina” (“Daily News”, since 1909, circulation approx. 254 thousand copies), “Janata” (“People”, since 1953, approx. 15 thousand copies), “Dinakaran” (“Sun”, since 1977, about 12 thousand copies), in English. language – “Daily News” (since 1918, approx. 65 thousand copies), “Sunday Observer” [since 1834 (current name since 1928), approx. 10 thousand copies], in Tamil. – “Tinakaran” (“Lamp”, since 1932, about 14 thousand copies), “Virakesari” (“News”, since 1930, about 48 thousand copies). Issued weekly (all in Colombo): in Sinhala. – gas. “Sirayata” (“Motherland”, 10 thousand copies), w. “Sarasavia” (“Higher Knowledge”, since 1963, approx. 56 thousand copies), in English. language – gas. “Nation” (since 2006, about 15 thousand copies). Radio broadcasting has been carried out since 1923; in 1967 the state was founded. Broadcasting. corporation Sh.-L. Television broadcasting since 1979. Since 1978, the National has been operating in Colombo. information Lankapuwat Agency.

Literature

At the origins of literature Sh.-L. - written recording of the Buddhist canon in language. fell in the 1st century. BC e. (cm. Pali literature). Poetry was created in Sanskrit for a long time (see. Sanskrit literature). In the 8th–9th centuries. n. e. originated Sinhala literature, also received the development of literature in Tamil. (cm. Tamil literature). In the 20th century pl. writers from Sh.-L., at home and in the diaspora, write in English. language

Architecture and fine arts

Artist culture of Sh.-L. dates back to the Paleolithic (utensils, tools) and Neolithic (dolmens, altars, rock paintings). The period of the rise of the Sinhalese culture of the ancient period (3rd century BC - 8th century AD) is associated with Anuradhapura, the era of the heyday of culture in the early Middle Ages (8th–13th centuries) – from Polonnaruwa. The cities were divided by walls into the Inner (Royal) City with a palace and the main religious buildings and the Outer City with residential buildings, monasteries, gardens, parks and bazaars. Sinhalese architecture is characterized by stability of types dating back to Indo-Buddhist models, simplicity and clarity of composition, and noble restraint of decoration. Buddhist monasteries (viharas), similar to Indian ones, surpassed them in scale and variety of types of buildings: stupa (dagoba, or dagaba), the house of the Bodhi tree (bodhighara), the house of remains (dhatughara) and its varieties (the so-called round temple and house relics), image house (patimaghara), meeting house (uposathagahara; for initiation into monks and confession), dharma house (dhammasala), monks' cells, refectories, libraries, etc. Dagaba consisted of a 3-tier stylobate, a main volume and a square plan of the superstructure with a conical spire. The image house (Lankatilaka in Polonnaruwa, 12th century) had a composition of 3 rooms: a vestibule (mantapam), a columned porch (antarala) and a square multi-columned sanctuary hall (garbha-griha). T.n. the round temple (Wata-da-ge in Medirigiriya, 7th century; in Polonnaruwa, 11th century) consisted of a dagaba with 4 Buddha statues around, 2 concentric walls and 3 rings of columns from trees. dome ceiling.

After the conquest of the island by the Tamils ​​(from South India), Hindu temples were also erected, including in the Dravidian style (Shiva temples in Polonnaruwa, 11th century; Nallur-Kandaswami kovil near Jaffna, 15th century, restored in 1734 and 1807) . The layout of the royal palaces consisted of a center. room surrounded by numerous rooms (palace of Parakramabahu I in Polonnaruwa, 12th century). Examples of defense have been preserved. architecture (in Sigiriya, on a rock, etc.). At 16 – start. 19th centuries traditional architecture continued to develop in Kandy.

Depict. claim related to ind. artist schools (Andhra, Guptas, Pallavas), is represented by stone monumental Buddhist sculpture, characterized by restraint of image and laconicism of form: giant (6–16 m) statues of Buddha in Avukana (6–8 centuries), in Saseruwa, in the Galvihara complex in Polonnaruwa ( all 12th century), high relief image of Buddha in the monastery in Buduruwegal (9th–10th centuries). At the entrance to the temple, steles were often erected depicting the “guardians of the gates” (nagarajas in a halo of cobra hoods). The reliefs on the steles of the vakhalkad altars are close to Ind. plastics. schools of Bharhut, Sanchi, etc. Numerous have survived. metallic figurines of deities, as well as secular sculpture (high relief “Lovers” at the Isurumuniya monastery in Anuradhapura, 5th–7th centuries; statues of secular historical figures). Monumental painting received great development: images of 17 half-naked women in the role of heavenly apsara maidens throwing flowers in Sigiriya (2nd half of the 5th century), Buddha and Hindu deities worshiping him in the Hindagala cave near Kandy (5th–7th centuries. ). During the Polonnaruwa period, the role of the contour line in painting decreased (frescoes in the relic chamber near Alutnuwara, 11th century; in Puligoda-Galga near the ancient city of Dimbulagala, 12th century). 18th century paintings in the temples of Kandy, in the cave sanctuaries of Dambulla (included in the list World Heritage) are distinguished by their dry interpretation of forms.

From the 16th century Sinhala traditional culture was in decline, Europe was spreading. influence: the port cities of Negombo, Colombo, Galle (the city center is included in the World Heritage List), etc. were built with forts, churches, etc. During the English period. colonial rule in architecture dominated by English forms. classicism (from the beginning of the 19th century), new types of buildings were erected (station stations, administrative buildings; St. Mary's Church in Negombo, 1874–1922; National Museum, 1877, architect J.J. Smider; old parliament building , 1920–30, architect A. Woodson; Municipal Council building, 1924–28, architect S. Edwards; all in Colombo). With independence (1948) in construction, along with the achievements of world architecture, including under the influence of the ideas of the historian A. Kumaraswamy, the experience of national architecture is also used. architecture: buildings by architects E. Boyd, M. de Silva, J. Bawa (Parliament building in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, 1982; Ruhuna National University in Matara, 1980–88), W. Plesner (Chapel of the Good Shepherd in Bandarawele, 1963). Among the buildings in the spirit regionalism: Int. Memorial Congress Center Solomon Bandaranaike (1971–73), British High Commission complex (2008, Scottish Arch. R. Murphy; both in Colombo).

Easel art developed predominantly. in the spirit of English academicism. The first artist The association was the “Ceylon Art Society” (since 1891; painters A. K. G. S. Amarasekara, T. Rajapakshe, J. D. A. Perera, D. Painter, sculptor T. Ranasinghe, etc.). In the 1st half. 20th century canvases on Buddhist themes were created by M. Sarlis. S. Mendis sought to revive the traditions of painting of Ajanta and Sigiriya (paintings in the Raja Mahavihara temple in Kelaniya). Under the influence of the Bengal Renaissance, an artistic movement emerged in 1943. association “Group 43”, whose members (X. Pieris, J. Keith, J. Deraniyagala and others) combined people. and mythological plots with modern techniques. European lawsuit The increased desire to create a national artist style led to the organization of the National Society in 1950. art-va (founder – sculptor and monk Vipulasara Thero); its members (B. L. A. Mendis, K. S. Vijaya, G. V. D. Heyanthuduva and others) depicted the lush nature of the island, scenes of labor, using the traditions of the Middle Ages. murals. Among the artists is the 2nd half. 20th century: R. Deraniyagala, R. Fernando, S. Jayawardene, H. Karunaratne, S. Kirinde, I. Peries. Ancient types of art are preserved. crafts: weaving, wood carving (architectural details, masks) and ivory (figurines, caskets), metal processing (notching, embossing) and precious stones, making lacquerware, ceramics.

Music

Music culture of Sh.-L. formed as a result of interaction specific. local elements and South Indian, Arabic, European, East African. traditions and influences. To the center. and south In the regions of the country, the musical and dance traditions of the Sinhalese predominate, of which the dynamic Kandyan (mainly male) dances accompanied by membranophones and idiophones (central mountainous regions) and Ruhunu dances in masks (southwest coast) are particularly distinctive. All in. areas have strong Tamil traditions. Archaic language is locally preserved. oral culture of the Veddas. In traditional music tools included: approx. 30 different membranophones (vertical bera drum with varieties, hourglass-shaped drum, etc.) and idiophones; wind instrument with double reed Khoraneva, shell-trumpet Hagedia. Instrumental ensembles accompany dance and theater performances, numerous. Buddhist, Hindu and other holidays, including celebrations. processions with dancing and music (esala perahera in Kandy, etc.). In Colombo and other coastal cities under Portuguese, Dutch. and English influenced by local types and genres of academics. and pop music.

Theater

In Sh.-L. Sinhala culture is dominant. The origins of theater are in folklore. games, rituals, songs, dances that accompanied celebrations (including religious ones); The chronicle poem “Mahavansa” (5th–6th centuries, the alleged author is the monk Mahanama from Anuradhapura) describes performance areas for dancers and musicians (“mandara”). With its appearance in the 3rd–8th centuries. large Sinhalese kingdoms, ideological. the basis of which was Buddhism, mystery drama arose in monasteries (see Mystery). The Tamils ​​brought the classic to the island. Skt. drama (see Sanskrit lite ratio). There were differences. forms of people theaters, of which the mask theater has survived (kolam; based on dance and pantomime, genetically related to the magical cults of Bali and Tovil; is of a comedic nature, which means the role in it belongs to the leading comedian - kavataya; common in the areas of Ambalangoda and Bentara), theater pantomimes (sokari; named after the heroine, whose life is the theme of the performances; actors play with and without masks), music. drama (Nadagam, widespread mainly in Kandy, resembles a local version of an opera with many dances, the actors play in brightly colored masks; this means that part of the content of the play is explained by the presenter; historical themes predominate). The multi-genre rukada puppet theater (“miniature figures” controlled from above using threads) is very popular. Modern theater type arose during the colonial period. In con. 19th century plays appeared (a clear division into acts, a curtain was introduced, female actresses began to participate). New plays (the so-called nritya), while maintaining a musical and dance basis, included dialogue: “Romlin” (1866), “Rolina” (1879) by C. Don Bastian, an adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet” by W. Shakespeare (1884). The works of J. de Silva “Sri Sangobo” (1903), “Vihara Maha Deva” (1916) were staged by prof. by the Arya Subodha Natya Sabha and Vijaya Ranga Sabha troupes in Colombo. One of the most popular theaters is the first stationary “Clock Tower Theater”, founded by entrepreneur H. Seneviratne (1911, Colombo); since the 1930s There was a cinema in the building; since 1978 the National Center International Theater Institute In the 1920s–1930s. plays with social themes appeared (“Iranama”, “Hadisi Viniskaya” by B. A. V. Jayamanne). In 1944, a school and dance troupe (since 1955 Chitrasena's Ceylon Ballet), led by Chitrasena, the first prof., were created in the capital. dancer and choreographer Sh.-L.: elements of tradition are closely connected in his works. dance and folk music with modernity - ballets of their own. the compositions “Karadiya” (“Sea Water”) and “Nala Damayanti” (based on "Mahabharatas"); Among other productions are “Hiroshima” and “Rice Fields” by V. Kumar, “Bitter Rice” by P. Kumar. The center of theatrical activity is Colombo: the Center for the Arts. Lionel Wendt (1953), state. National ensemble dance Sh.-L. (1973), theaters “Janakaraliya” (2003), Arts Center “TrikonE” (2005), “Nelum Pokuna” (2011; named after the construction of a 12th century pond in the shape of a lotus flower, also known as the National Theater of Performing Arts) . In the 1970s “street theaters” gained popularity (including the groups of G. Hattotuwegama, P. Niriella, H. A. Perera). In 1981, actress and playwright S. Subasinghe created the first theater for children and youth in Kotte (main musical theater, since 2015 bears her name).

Movie

In Sh.-L. There are Sinhala- and Tamil-language cinematography (both developed under the significant influence of Indian cinema). First screening of films by br. L. and O. Lumiere took place in Colombo in 1901. In 1925 the first feature film was filmed. “Royal Adventure” by A. G. Nuraboi (presented in India and Singapore; due to the loss of negatives, it was not shown at home). In the 1920s–30s. The Americans were in the lead. films with the participation of C. Chaplin, G. Garbo, R. Valentino and others, from the end. 1930s - early 1940s – ind. paintings. The formation of cinema in Sh.-L. contributed to ind. producer S. M. Nayagam (Tamil-speaking; film "Kumaraguru", 1946, etc.; in 1952 founded the film studio "Sri Murugan Navakala"). Date of birth of the national cinema is considered to be 1947 (at the studio “Chitra Kala Movietone”, specially created for the filming of Sinhala films in Madurai, the film “Broken Promise” by J. Singh based on the play by B. A. V. Jayamanne was released). At the same time, the film “Asokamala” by S. Kumar was created, based on tradition. folklore story about love. In 1951 in Colombo dir. S. Vimalavira organized the studio “Nava Jeevana” (in 1953 he released the studio “Pittisara Kella”). In 1956, at the Ceylon film studio (Colombo), documentary director L. J. Peries staged an original pseudo-documentary. “Line of Fate” about village life; continued his author's search in the films “Changes in the Village” (1963), “Golden Shawl” (1967), “Hero Puran Appu” (1979), etc. Among other things. works of this period are “The Seven Seas” by S. Gunasinghe (1967) and “The Desert” (1971) by D. B. Nihalsinghe. In 1972 the State was organized. film corporation, the volume of film production increased (including the release of several films in Tamil, chiefly directed by B. Mahendra). In the 1970s Sri Lankan cinema, along with entertainment, also developed relevant socio-political ones. and morals. themes (using the genre of musical melodrama); Peries' films: “Treasure” (1972; in 1997 recognized in S.-L. as the best film of the fiftieth anniversary, Ave. Mkf in Venice), “Un Certain Regard” (1972), “Mangrove Island” (1976). From the beginning 1970s D. Pathiraja began working - “One League of Skies” (1974), “How to Be an Adult” (1977), “The Wasps Are Here” (1978), “On the Move” (1980), “The Old Soldier” (1981). From the end 1970s S. Peries announced herself: “Geghenu Lamai” (1978), “Beyond the River” (1980). In the 1990s. “Independent cinema” took off, the leading representative of the trend was P. Vithanage (“Fire on Ice,” 1991; “The Dark Side of the Soul,” 1996; “The Death of the Full Moon Day” and “The Walls Within,” both 1997). The most popular actress of this period is N. Fernando. Early 21st century marked by film achievements: “The Abandoned Land” (2005, International Film Festival in Cannes) and “Between Two Worlds” (2009) by V. Jayasundara; “This is My Moon” (2000), “To Fly with One Wing” (2002), “Fire Letter” (2005; banned by censorship for screening in the country), “Let Her Cry” (2016) by A. Handagama, “Generations” by Mahendra (2013).