Sri Lanka is an island country, officially called the ‘Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka’ and located about 31 km off the southern coast of India in South Asia. Since 1948 Sri Lanka has been an independent country and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It was also known as Ceylon prior to 1972. Being positioned in major sea routes, this beautiful paradise is a strategic navel link between West Asia & South East Asia.

Today, Sri Lanka is one of the best tourist destinations in the world due to its natural rain forests, beaches and landscape as well as its rich cultural heritage.

Land area: 24,996 sq mi (64,740 sq km);
total area: 25,332 sq mi (65,610 sq km)

Population (2009 est.): 21,324,791 (growth rate: 1.0%);
birth rate: 16.2/1000;
infant mortality rate: 18.5/1000;
life expectancy: 75.1;
density per sq mi: 809

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Colombo, 2,436,000 (metro. area), 656,100 (city proper).  
Legislative and judicial capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, 118,300

Other large cities: Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia 214,300;
                                      Moratuwa, 181,000; Kandy, 112,400

Reason to visit in Sri Lanka

The New York Times ranked Sri Lanka as number one travel destination on its article on "The 31 Places to go in 2010". There is no other country in Asia that can offer what Sri Lanka has to offer. The country has long been known as a great holiday destination. With the culture, history and outstanding places to go sightseeing, Sri Lanka is the perfect destination for a holiday.

Weather & Climate 

Sri Lanka is situated in the Indian Ocean and is a tropical climate country. It has two monsoons periods, from May-July and December-January. Countries upland part is cooler and more temperate, and the coastal part is cooled because of the sea breezes.This beautiful island lies between 06 to 10 of North Latitude and between 80 to 82 of East Longitude.

Transpotation in Sri lanka

There are many mode of transportation in Sri Lanka such as public busses, trains, taxies and three wheelers are the most common means of transport for the public. Public transportation is based mainly on the road network which is centered in the Colombo. These are linked to all major tourist locations and cities such as Anuradhapura, Kandy, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, etc,.