Sri Lanka is one of those island nations that’s often overlooked and is very much still one of Asia’s most prized hidden gems.
The best thing about Sri Lanka is that, even thought it’s a small island, it’s jam-packed with stuff to do, things to eat, and a fascinating history. Here’s a few facts to warm you up.
1. You might not be able to guess the national sport
Cricket is by far the most popular sport in Sri Lanka, but the national sport is in fact… volleyball. We dig that!
READ MORE: 6 OF THE BEST BEACHES IN SRI LANKA (AND WHEN TO VISIT THEM)
2. Sri Lanka is totally about tea
Sri Lanka is the largest exporter of tea in the world, and grow black tea, green tea and white tea. You can sip your way around the entire country.
Image by Ewen Bell
3. There’s enough waterfalls to keep the lights going
There’s more than a hundred waterfalls in Sri Lanka and plenty of them you can swim in! The majority of Sri Lanka’s electricity is supplied through hydropower plants that tap into the immense energy of these falls.
4. They know how to spice things up
Cinnamon originated in Sri Lanka and was discovered by the Egyptians. It’s still grown in the country and is recognised as the highest quality you can find in the world.
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5. A tooth from Buddha sits under the roof of a temple in a place called Kandy
Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth (where the relic of the tooth of Buddha is housed), is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites you can visit.
Image by Ryan Bolton
6. Rice before curry, and there’s never an exception
Rice and curry is the staple dish in Sri Lanka. It’s often eaten from a banana leaf and it’s traditionally eaten with the hands (without cutlery), as is every other meal. The dish is always called rice and curry, never curry and rice, because rice is seen to be the most important part of the dish and Sri Lankan cuisine.
Image by Ryan Bolton
7. The first female prime minister was elected in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was the first country in the world to democratically elect a woman as the head of government.
8. You’ll find the freshest (and sweetest) pineapples you’ve ever tasted
This isn’t a particularly solid fact, but the pineapples in Sri Lanka are absolutely delicious. Grab them from a roadside stall, get the vendor to cut it up, and give it a nibble whenever you need some sweet, sweet deliciousness.
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Image by Anton Gvozdikov
9. It’s said to be home to the oldest tree ever to be planted by a human
As the story goes, the Sri Maha Bodhi was planted in 288 BC during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa, and brought from India by Princess Sangamitta. That makes the tree more than a staggering age of 2300 years.
10. Students get a high level of education
Sri Lanka has a literacy rate of 92 per cent, which means they have the highest literacy rate in South Asia and one of the highest rates throughout Asia.
Ready for a Sri Lankan adventure? Check out our range of small group adventures now.
Feature image by Ryan Bolton
