According to Ebizdir, Sri Lanka, as one of the oldest countries in the world, keeps a large number of historical treasures included in the UNESCO list. It is famous for its numerous religious buildings: these are Buddhist monasteries (Dipaddutaramaya, Vaijyaramara and Gotami Vihara), and Christian churches (St. Andrew, St. Peter and St. Lucia, Scottish Presbyterian Church), as well as Hindu others) and mosques – Afar Jumma and Dawatagaha. Sri Lanka is famous for its sights outside the cities. The botanical garden, located in the suburbs of Kandy Peradeniya, is considered the largest in Asia. Here you can admire a huge collection of flora from all over the tropical world. 2000 species of orchids and 3000 species of various plants, fig tree, umbrella tree, palm avenue, a double coconut tree is just a few of the botanical gardens. An elephant nursery operates on the territory of the country, as elephants are highly valued in the local culture. Elephants are brought here from different places. These are cubs that suffered from poachers or were left without parents. Here they are grown, and then taken to zoos or left to work on the island. In addition, Ceylon is famous for its turtle farm and spice gardens. And in the central part of the island is Sigiriya – a mountain on which a fortress was built in the 5th century, and then a whole city with gardens and fountains. The central part is also famous for the cave Buddhist temple of Dambulla, built in the 1st century BC. and containing the largest collection of Buddha statues. Many of them are over 2,000 years old. After they were covered with gold, the place began to be called the “Golden Cave Temple”. The temple is located on the top of a mountain and is surrounded by a forest with a lot of monkeys.
National cuisine of Sri Lanka
The menu of most Sri Lankan hotels includes dishes of both national and European cuisine. National dishes, reminiscent of Indian cuisine, are most often prepared from fish and tropical fruits. A distinctive feature of such dishes is the abundance of spices and herbs. Many recipes call for coconut juice and oil, as well as coconut flakes and palm nectar. A favorite addition is also powdered dry Maldivian fish (umbalacada). The daily menu here necessarily includes rice and curry. Curry consists of several dishes of fish and other seafood, as well as meat, vegetables, fruits and legumes, and a mixture of hot spices is added to all these dishes – this mixture is actually called curry. Tourists who are not accustomed to eating spicy dishes, you need to taste the national cuisine with extreme caution. Exotic fruits should also not be consumed in unlimited quantities. In addition, it is important to ask in advance how and in what form one or another tropical fruit is eaten. For example, durian pulp, which tastes like cheese, garlic and onions, is quite tasty, but because of the strong unpleasant smell, this fruit is only eaten outdoors. The most popular fruits in Sri Lanka are pineapple, bananas, jackfruit, rambutan, papaya, pomelo, lychee, mango, sapodilla, longan, watermelon. Traditionally for national cuisine and the use of rice flour. Among these dishes, string hoppers (hoppers) – steamed and rolled vermicelli, as well as hoppers (appa) – pancakes in the form of a bowl, crispy around the edges and soft in the center, are especially popular. You can add an egg to the center and then you get bittara arra (pancake-fried eggs). Dessert is also prepared from appa – butter with sweet coconut flakes is placed on the pancake. Kiribat (kiribath) is served in restaurants at ceremonies. This is white rice cooked in coconut milk and cut into diamond shapes. Roti is made from rice flour and grated coconut. It is served with curry or bananas. Food prices are quite reasonable – family portions will cost 2-7 dollars in small establishments and 7-15 dollars in restaurants. From drinks, tea is popular, which is drunk in Sri Lanka always and everywhere, and aromatic coffee with ginger, vanilla and almonds. Of the alcoholic drinks, local palm vodka (Arak) and Lion beer are most loved. Well tones and refreshes the juice of the royal coconut “tambili”.
Currency exchange in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan (or simply Sri Lankan) rupee, equal to 100 cents, is the official currency. In all banks of the country where exchange offices are located, the rupee exchange rate is approximately the same. You can also exchange currency at airports and major hotels. At the same time, it is better to refuse the services of private shops and markets. The reason is not only fraud and unfavorable rates – in official institutions, when exchanging money, you will be given a check, according to which you can safely exchange your rupees back at Colombo airport before departure. In general, you can export Sri Lankan currency, but not more than 5,000 rupees. You can bring any amount of money into the country, but if it exceeds $15,000 (total in cash and checks), then it must be declared. Banks of the country are at the service of clients from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 13.00 or 15.00. The local hotels and shops operate international credit cards of the most famous companies. ATMs operate in large Sri Lankan cities. On the territory of the country, hotels and banks also accept international traveler’s checks. Pakistani and Indian currencies are prohibited from importing and exporting from the country.
