Vesak Festival - May 14th

Vesak is the main Buddhist religious festival in Sri Lanka. During this time, people celebrate the triple anniversary of Lord Buddha - his birth, his attaining of Enlightenment and his passing away into Nirvana.
Also known as the Buddhist Festival of Light, colorful bamboo framed lanterns adorn the interior of every home and incredible luminous displays decorate the streets of most towns. Visit Bhauddoloka Mawatha, the main street in Colombo, to catch this glowing spectacle in full glory.
Vesak marks the first month of the Buddhist Calendar. This is a day spent in reflective prayer as people cease wordly pursuits and engage themselves in religious activities. Devotees Buddhists pray in temples from dawn until the dusk. As the sun sets, devotees partake in processions and return to the temples in the evening to hear monks read stories from sacred texts.
Stalls on the roadside distribute free refreshments to passers-by and there are some fantastic mime and street theatre performances, staged on tall platforms near temples in cities and towns throughout the country.

Serendib Scops Owl

The Serendib scops owl (Otus thilohoffmanni) is the most recently discovered bird of Sri Lanka. It was originally located by its unfamiliar poo-ooo call in the Kitulgala rainforest by prominent Sri Lankan ornithologist Deepal Warakagoda. Six years later, it was finally seen by him on 23 January 2001 in Sinharaja, and formally described as a species new to science in 2004.Apart from Sinharaja and Kitulgala, it has also been found at Runakanda Reserve in Morapitiya and Eratna Gilimale. Known as Panduwan Bassa in Sinhala.

It is the first new bird to be discovered in Sri Lanka since 1868, when the Sri Lanka whistling thrush—then Ceylon whistling thrush—(Myophonus blighi) was discovered. It is also the 24th (according to some authorities the 27th) endemic bird species for Sri Lanka.

The habitat of the Serendib scops owl is in the southern rain forests of Sri Lanka. There is an altitudinal range from 30 to 50 metres. This owl has no competition from other nocturnal birds, the territories are completely different. This species has a very small population, at the end of January 2006 only 80 of them were known to exist.The places that it is expected to be found are in five protected areas, like the Forest Reserve or the Proposed Reserve by Sri Lanka. They seem to be declining because of the loss of habitat and the degradation. The first two hours of darkness is when the owl hunts for its food.

This rare species inhabits the rainforests in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka. Like most owls, it is strictly nocturnal and hunts insects (e.g. beetles and moths) close to the ground. It begins calling at dusk, its frequency rising again some two hours before dawn.

Unlike the other two species of scops owl in Sri Lanka, collared scops owl (Otus bakkamoena) and oriental scops owl (Otus sunia), it does not have ear tufts and its facial disc is only weakly defined. The general colour of this 16.5 cm long, short-tailed owl is reddish brown with paler underparts, spotted all over with fine black markings. The irides are tawny yellow (more orangish in male) and the feet are a pale fleshy colour. Tarsi are feathered for less than half their length. The claws and bill are a pale ivory colour

Fox Hill Super Cross on 19th April 2014

Sri Lanka Military Academy conducts Fox Hill Super Cross to raise funds to elevate the infrastructure facilities of the Academy to be on par with other Military Academies in the region.

In year 1913, a British ship by the name of “HMS FOX” (HMS - Her Majesty’s Ship) docked at the Trincomalee Harbour for repairs and its crew visited Diyatalawa as there was a sanatorium for naval personnel of the Royal Navy’s East India Station. Seeing the panoramic beauty of the area, the Captain of the ship was fascinated with the idea of leaving the insignia of the ship on a prominent hillock to remember their visit to this beautiful town, Diyatalawa.

Thus there appeared on the face of the hillock as we see it today, the image of a fox with the name “HMS FOX” and the year “1913” out of white granite. The famous Fox Hill came into being in this manner.

The Fox Hill racing track is unique and holds a prominent place in Sri Lanka for its location, salubrious climes and attractive surrounding. It is greatly cherished by the racing drivers and riders for its challenging nature and loved by spectators for the entertainment and fun it offers them.

The roar of fine tuned engines will reverberate in the scenic hill station of Diyatalawa, home of the Sri Lanka Military Academy, once again on 19th April 2014 signalling that the 2014 battle for motor racing glory has begun in earnest.

Some 175 drivers and riders are expected to be registered for this iconic event organized by the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) and the Sri Lanka Auto-sports Drivers Association (SLADA). However, more than 200 drivers and riders including competitors from overseas are expected to show up on race day.

According to organizers two leading racing drivers from India have been invited and three top Indian riders are among the confirmed participations.

This year’s Fox Hill Super Cross comprises of 12 motor car and 14 motorcycle events approximately including the championship races which will be taken into account in awarding the Championship trophies to the country`s top drivers and riders at the end of the 2014 racing season.

The championship races are grouped as Group SL-GT up to 3500 cc and Group SL-H up to 1600 cc in the motor car category and Group MX-Racing Motocross bikes up to 125 cc 2 Stroke, up to 250 cc 4 stroke and Group MX-Racing Motocross up to 85 cc (under 16 years as at 31 December 2014) in the motorcycle category.

Trucks and Jeeps Diesel up to 5500 cc and Super Motored up to 2500 cc (2 stroke and 4 stroke) and cars up to 1500 cc in the special motor car category are among the other popular races that are expected to add to the thrills and enjoyment of the competition.

The organizing committee has said that all arrangements had been made for a spectacular and unforgettable racing event.

Sri Lanka Attracts High End French Tourist Group

The growing demand from incentive Travelers in the MICE tourism segment had increased quite sharply over the past years who are traveling mainly for the purpose business and investment. Sri Lanka Tourism has identified MICE segment as a key driver of tourism growth and a contributor for overall economic development of Sri Lanka. As a result of the Wonder of Asia promotional campaign initiated by Ministry of Economic Development and Sri Lanka Tourism in Europe, Sri Lankan Travel agents have been receiving many up market incentive groups to Sri Lanka during the recent past. One of Sri Lanka’s leading travel agents Connaisance De Ceylon received a group of 130 pax incentive group from Toulouse – France on 26th March which is latest addition to the group incentive travelers visiting the country.

The group consisted of high end tourists from France representing different segments and mainly looking for investment opportunities in Sri Lanka. Due to the new infrastructure developments in the country especially in the areas of domestic air travel, the group took flight using MI 17 helicopters of Heli Tours. A fleet of 06 helicopters carried the incentive group for sightseeing tour from Kandy to down south. The Helitours Pvt Ltd unveiled its newest fleet of helicopters recently which are highly sophisticated for tourist travel.

The groups was highly impressed with the novel experience of having the opportunity to take a birds eye view of Sri Lanka’s luscious greenery and landscape from skies above. They were in full of praise on the latest developments taken place in Sri Lanka for high end tourist travelers such as what they experienced travelling by helicopters. Chairman of Connaisance De Ceylon Mr. Chandra Wickramasinhe played a pivotal role in bringing down and organizing the innovative experience offered to the insentive group from France.

CNNGo Featured on Sri Lanka

“Leading Tourism Newspapers Endorse Sri Lanka Tourism Promotional Campaign in China”

The latest issues of leading Chinese newspapers namely “China Tourism News” and “Oriental Morning Post” have heavily endorsed Sri Lanka Tourism promotional strategy and campaigns being carried out in Beijing and Shanghai over several months period starting from last year. The cover story of “China Tourism News” states that “Sri Lanka has seen a rapid growth in number of Chinese Tourists visiting Sri Lanka” and the Oriental Morning Post article says ‘Sri Lanka the Fascinating country causing a climax in Shanghai”

The Full articles as appeared in the newspapers are inserted below:

Article 01 : Rapid Growth in number of the Chinese Tourists visit Sri Lanka – China Tourism News – Published on 28th February 2014

Article 02 : Sri Lanka the Fascinating country causing a climax in Shanghai - Oriental Morning Post - Published on 7th March 2014

Rapid growth in number of the Chinese tourists visit Sri Lanka 
- China Tourism News February 28th 2014 (Friday)

(Reporter: Wu Wei)

According to the information of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, in January 2014, a total of 146,000 tourists visited Sri Lanka. It was a growth of 32.6 % on year to year basis. The Chinese tourist arrival in Sri Lanka during the same period was 10,780 and recorded a growth of 223.9 % in comparison to January 2013. China is the top most source of tourists’ arrival in Sri Lanka in January 2014.

Official of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau said that this result is inseparable with the vigorous promotional drive carried out in the Chinese market and the creative activities in 2013. It is understood that since September 2013, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau together with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the People Republic of China in succession start the advertisement on 200 public buses in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu cities, which last for 6 months. Among them, Beijing has 50 double decker buses. Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu have 50 normal buses each. That is comprehensive coverage of large trunk road, Universities, Campuses and Central business district. The bus advertisement is a mobile outdoor media advertisement method to show the rich tourism resources of Sri Lanka in polyhedral solid ways. The reporter visited a number of travel agencies and find out that Sri Lanka becomes a black horse in the outbound travel market in the Spring Festival holiday this year. And the sales are very popular. Chartered tourist products are fully booked before two months of the holiday. Many tourists are just after seeing the bus advertisements further understanding this beautiful tropical country.

Sri Lanka is modern master of white ball cricket

In their last T20 match for Sri Lanka, the prolific duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena secured their nation its first-ever ICC World T20 title over a dejected India. But it was Sri Lanka’s bowlers who were the architects of the victory.

It is often assumed that T20 is a batsman’s game. But Nuwan Kulasekara and Lasith Malinga proved how influential, shrewd and precise bowling can be, allowing India just 15 runs from the last three overs. First Yuvraj Singh, then MS Dhoni were unable to get the ball away, crucially denying Virat Kohli the strike and ensuring that India’s final total of 130 was 30 runs too light.

India fought hard with the ball, and took wickets regularly, but without a substantial target to defend, it could never afford a big over, and that came when Thisara Perera and Sangakarra pummelled Amit Mishra’s over, the 15th for 14. Despite being the star of earlier matches,  Mishra’s nerve failed him in the final and his line wavered and his pace erred too much on the fast side. His four overs went for 32 runs. Sangakkara finished 52 not out as he was mobbed by ecstatic teammates. For a man who has given so much to his country, it was the least he deserved.

India could only look on and ponder on what might have been. Their innings began cautiously with just three boundaries in the powerplay. Virat Kohli tried to take the initiative and when he miscued to mid-wicket and was missed by Malinga there were suggestions that the Sri Lanka captain might have dropped the trophy. Kohli made them pay with some classic shots, the pulled drive over long-on, the majestic shots through and over cover, making light of the loss of Rohit and Rahane.

But Yuvraj Singh was struggling at the other end, with just 11 runs off 20 balls, unable even to give the strike to the increasingly impatient Kohli. The crucial over was the 18th, bowled by Malinga, after the off-spinner Senanyake, the most economical bowler in the tournament with his clever variations conceding just 5.2 an over, bowled his final over (the 17th) for just four runs.

Bowling wide and very full, Malinga stopped Yuvraj from hitting to the leg-side, or getting the ball away at all, and Kulasekera did the same bowling wide and full to Kohli in the 19th. When Yuvraj could only miscue a full toss to long-off, departing for 11 off 30 balls (strike rate 57), Dhoni sent himself in, but a brilliant final over from Malinga – getting the ball regularly under his bat outside off-stump, denied him having any impact. The last over went for just seven, and Dhoni, the great finisher managed only four singles from 10 balls.

Kohli had faced just eight balls (from which he made seven runs) in the last four overs. Malinga’s figures of 4-0-27-0 gave little clue to his match-winning influence.

It took the pressure off Sri Lanka’s batsmen, meaning their great runmakers Sangakkara and Jayawardena  could bide their time and play the ball on its merits and see their side home, aided by the big-hitting Thisara Perera with more than two overs to spare. So the country with 1/60th of the population of their powerful opponents finally overcame them in a world final.

Sri Lanka is the original giant killer. It has now lost only one match in its last 16 ODIs and T20s (to England). It is the modern master of white ball cricket.

Sri Pada ("Adam's Peak") Annual Pilgrimage Season

Hatton Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada is an important pilgrim site. The devotees of many religions climb the mountain to invoke blessings. Buddhist believes the impression on the summit is the footprint of the Buddha. Sripada is the 4th highest mountain in Sri Lanka and it takes 4-5 hours to reach the peak by foot. The mountain is also named as Samanala Kanda or Butterfly Mountain. The area is rich in biodiversity and surrounded by the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary. The pilgrimage season starts on Unduwap Poya.

The season begins in December and ends in April.

The Hot Air Balloon Festival

The Annual Hot Air Ballooning Festival organized by the Ceylon Air Ship and Balloon Club is held in March in and around Sigiriya, Hambanthota and Colombo with the participation of nearly 40 participants from around the world. The Balloonists follow a path around the country traveling from down south to North-central plains of Sri Lanka and ending in Independence Square in Colombo for final display of the balloons participating in the event.

Blue Water Lily

It is the national flower of Sri Lanka.Nymphaea nouchali is a day-blooming nonviviparous plant with submerged roots and stems. Part of the leaves are submerged, while others rise slightly above the surface. The leaves are round and green on top; they usually have a darker underside. The floating leaves have undulating edges that give them a crenellate appearance. Their size is about 20–23 cm and their spread is 0.9 to 1.8 m

This water lily has a beautiful flower which is usually violet blue in color with reddish edges. Some varieties have white, purple, mauve or fuchsia-colored flowers. The flower has 4-5 sepals and 13-15 petals that have an angular appearance making the flower look star-shaped from above. The cup-like calyx has a diameter of 11–14 cm

In Sri Lanka this plant usually grows in buffalo ponds and natural wetlands. Its beautiful aquatic flower has been mentioned in Sanskrit, Pali and Sinhala literary works since ancient times under the names kuvalaya, indhīwara, niluppala, nilothpala and nilupul as a symbol of virtue, discipline and purity. Buddhist lore in Sri Lanka claims that this flower was one of the 108 auspicious signs found on Prince Siddhartha's footprint.It is said that when Buddha died, lotus flowers blossomed everywhere he had walked in his lifetime

Sri Lanka Jungle Fow

The Sri Lankan Jungle fowl (Gallus lafayetii), also known during the colonial era as the Ceylon Jungle fowl, is a member of the pheasant family which is endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is the national bird As with other jungle fowl, the Sri Lankan Jungle fowl is strongly sexually dimorphic: the male is much larger than the female, with more vivid plumage and a highly exaggerated wattle and comb.

The male Sri Lankan Jungle fowl ranges from 66–73 cm (26–29 in) in length and 790–1,140 g (1.7–2.5 lb) in weight, essentially resembling a large, muscular rooster. The male has orange-red body plumage, and dark purple to black wings and tail. The feathers of the main descending from head to base of spine are golden, and the face has bare red skin and wattles. The comb is red with a yellow centre. The female is much smaller, at only 35 cm (14 in) in length and 510–645 g (1.1–1.42 lb) in weight, with dull brown plumage with white patterning on the lower belly and breast, ideal camouflage for a nesting bird. Sri Lanka Jungle fowl is a terrestrial species. It spends most of its time foraging for food by scratching the ground for various seeds, fallen fruit and insects.

It is a ground nesting bird, and lays 2-4 eggs in a nest. Similar to many members of the pheasant family, the colourful male plays no part in the incubation of the eggs or rearing. These duties are performed by the drab and well-camouflaged female. It is common in forest and scrub habitats, and is commonly spotted at sites such as Kithulgala, Yala and Sinharaja

Sri Lanka Spurfowl (Haban Kukula)

The Sri Lanka Spurfowl (Haban Kukula) is a member of the pheasant family which is endemic to the dense rainforests of Sri Lanka.

It is a very secretive bird, and despite its size is difficult to see as it slips through dense undergrowth. Often the only indication of its presence is its distinctive ringing call, consisting of series of three-syllabled whistles. Kitulgala and Sinharaja are sites where there is a chance of seeing this bird.

This spurfowl is one of three species of bird in the genus Galloperdix. It is a ground nesting bird, which lays 2-5 eggs in a scrape.

Sri Lanka Spurfowl is ~ 37 cm long bird. Both sexes have brown upperparts, wings and tail. The males exhibit vivid crimson red legs and bare facial skin.

The adult male exhibits striking black and white dorsal plumage that extends to its head. There is also extensive white ocellation on the sepia wings and upperback. The legs of both sexes have multiple metatarsal spurs, which give rise to the specific name. The female has chestnut underparts and a plain brown back and wings. She is more prominently crested than the male.

Like most of the Peacock-Pheasants, Sri Lanka Spurfowl is a seasonally terrestrial species. It scratches vigorously amongst the leaf litter of the forest floor for invertebrates, especially mollusks and insects. It will also take various seeds, fallen fruit and spiders.