Culture and Heritage of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, a small island located just below the Indianin contributing to the country’s history and heritage.
subcontinent is an amazing tourist destination offering aSome of the interesting remnants left from these
variety of things to do and experience. The countryformer monarchies rang e from pyramid like Buddhist
with its natural beauty of sun kissed beaches andStupas soaring in to the skies, magnificent Buddhist
exciting wildlife is something any tourist would love tosculptures carved out of stone and a fortress built
experience. However, there’s more to this smallatop a magnificent lion like rock. The country also got
island nation, apart from its wonderful nature andits heritage from the colonial periods where parts of
wildlife, the country boasts of a proud history spanningthe country and eventually the whole country were
over 2500 years.under several colonial powers. Portuguese, Dutch and
The ancient kingdoms in this island nation speak of aBritish influences from the 1500s have also played a
rich culture and a heritage with its own arts, crafts andsignificant impact on the Sri Lankan community as well.
amazing architectural and engineering skills. One of theSome of the interesting historic attractions from these
focal points of the country’s history was theeras are the 17th century Dutch Fort in Galle, and
introduction of Buddhism during the 3rd century BC,many Dutch churches and forts in Negombo and
from which the kingdom developed into a muchKalpitiya.
sophisticated and advanced monarchy with a strongThe country which is an exciting melting pot of cultures,
inheritance from Buddhist teachings. Remnants ofhas a vast and an exciting array of places to visit and
many architectural wonders that were built by pastexplore. From Catholics, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhist
Sinhala kings still remain to date in their past glory andthere is a vast amalgamation of various colors and
prestige.creeds making the country truly an exciting place to
The country due to its location at a main naval routevisit. Those who plan to spend some time and explore
and its close proximity to the Indian sub continent wasits rich cultural and historic heritage can do so by
affected by threats outside which lead the kingdomsstaying at a Sri Lanka hotel. A renowned hospitality
being relocated during the course of time. Theprovider, John Keells Hotels Group has a range of
Kingdom of Anuradhapura and the Kingdom ofresorts and hotels located close to many of the
Polonnaruwa and lastly the Kingdom of Kandy whichattractions making it a truly convenient and pleasurable
succumbed to British rule in 1815 were at their epitomeexperience.