20 Random Things about Sri Lanka

Below are 20 Random Things about Sri Lanka based on my recent experience.

1) The people of Sri Lanka are very hospitable. They always seem to have a smile on their faces.

2) Sri Lankan roads are in much better condition than our Indian roads. I covered about 800 kilometres by road recently.

3) Sri Lankan food is very similar to our Indian food in look and preparation.

4) Unlike what others say, I feel Sri Lanka does not look like the Indian state of Kerala.

5) Sri Lanka is not quite as hot as anticipated. It was warm and humid, but the evenings were very pleasant. The strong sea breeze at the coast line makes it very comfortable.

6) There are places in Sri Lanka that get pretty cold at night. Nuwara Eliya and Horton Plains at 2,000+ m above MSL is known to see temperatures in the range of 5 to 10 degree Celsius. This is very un tropical.

7) The native women of Sri Lanka wear their Saree with frills at the waist and where their pallu touches the ground.

8) Sri Lankan arrack and the local gallu (country liquor) are surprising smooth and are of mild odour. Tiger Beer and Rockland Red Rum are definitely worth a try.

9) Cigarettes in Sri Lanka are very expensive. In fact, even the local brands seem to be very expensive, something to the tune of LKR 21 per cigarette.

10) There are hardly any beggars on the roads of Sri Lanka. They may not be too rich, but they are definitely not poor too.

11) Sri Lanka is still dressed in a colonial style.

12) The speed limit on the highways of Sri Lanka is 60 kilometres per hour.

13) On any automobile in Sri Lanka, the license plates on the front are white in colour, while the ones at the back are yellow in colour.

14) Sri Lankans, like Indians, are a cricket crazy nation. People seem to follow the game and their country anywhere. The World Cup final was heard over loud speakers, radios in small mobile shops, TV sets and everything else.

15) Sri Lanka has very less inter-city public transport system. They do have some buses and trains, but the main form of transport are vans.

16) Most of the automobiles on the roads of Sri Lanka are Japanese brands. Others are from South East India or India.

17) Indian Motorcycle brand, Bajaj Pulsar seems to be pretty popular in Sri Lanka.

18) Most of their waterfalls seem to have decent water flow even during the summer months.

19) Sri Lankan tea tastes very different from Indian Tea. It is milder and has a unique taste and aroma. The long leaves are even milder than the shorter ones.

20) Sri Lanka, like India, is very secular. Mosques, Temples, Monasteries and Churches seemed to be evenly distributed across the country.