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The Sinhala and Tamil New Year or as we all call it Avurudu in Sinhala, has become an important national holiday for both Sinhala Buddhists and the Tamil Hindus of Sri Lanka. It is unique because it is not celebrated in any other country as a national festival. There is greenery everywhere; fresh leaves on trees, flowers in bloom, vegetables and fruits in plenty and the songs of birds in the air. The aroma of sweetmeat, the sound of raban…

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In Sri Lanka, snacks and finger food go hand in hand with a drink. Over time, many unique types of food have been linked or traditionally eaten while having a good drink with friends, or even among those who choose not to partake simply due to the amazing flavors and taste of these delicious dishes. Here are some of these unique type of snacks which in Sri Lanka are referred simply as “Bytes” or “Bites” Cocktail Mixture The simplest and…

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The history of Magul Maha Vihara possibly dates back to the period of King Kavantissa (205-161 BC) who ruled the Kingdom of Ruhuna in ancient Sri Lanka. There are evidence that suggests that the king has built this temple in the 2nd Century BC on the exact location where he married the princesses Viharamahadevi, the daughter of king Kelani Tissa. Other sources claim that King Dhatusena (463-479 AD) built this temple while many other monarchs renovated it through the centuries…

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Maha Sona is a fearsome demon in Sinhalese folklore. The most powerful demon second to none, who is believed to haunt the afterlife, especially on graveyards surrounded by human corpses, large rocks and hills, and Junctions where three roads meet, are the most common haunting grounds of this demon. Demon kills its human prey by crushing their shoulders and also by afflicting illnesses. It usually kills people at night and dusk when confronted alone and leaves his mark of a…

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The fishermen begin the day, with a prayer, at six in the morning. Two men would sleepily stumble to the little craft called the ‘Theppama’ and row to the middle of the wewa. The craft has to be manoeuvred with a bamboo pole like a witch stirring her cauldron thickly, and both men have to stand, the boat being frail. One of them will cast the net at a spot favoured by the shoals of fish, and then they will…

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A unique all in one meal that can serve an entire family. This dish is a speciality of the Sri Lankan Muslim Community. Best known from the Southern coastal region of Galle and Beruwala, this dish is much loved by all Sri Lankans. This fragrant meal is laboriously prepared and consists of short-grain rice cooked in butter, screwpine and coconut milk. Many variations are found, but kidu is often served with a side of sweet onion and capsicum pickle, dhal…

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The Sri Lanka Bay Owl (Phodilus assimilis) is a species of bay owl in the family Tytonidae. It is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats in Kerala, South-Western India. It was considered a subspecies of the Oriental Bay Owl (Phodilus badius) but is now treated as a full species due to its distinctive call, plumage and disjunction distribution. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland. It…

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Blending the nature and wildlife theme along with Sri Lanka’s favorite pastime – Cricket, the beautiful safari lodge Kalu’s Hideaway is a perfect example of a truly Sri Lankan dwelling. Udawalawe National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s top national parks, with year-round sightings of the Sri Lankan Elephant as well as many rare migrant species. It is a well-known hotspot for sightings of the elusive Jungle Cat. This park is truly a must for any wildlife itinerary. Located fifteen…

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When speaking of Sri Lankan food, one cannot escape the fascinating tale of the Sri Lankan kiribath. If you are Sri Lankan, the chances are that you have milk rice for breakfast at least once every week. If you are Sri Lankan, the chances are that despite the rampant frequency with which you consume the dish, you never get tired of it either. If it’s your birthday/anniversary/wedding, your mother will cook you a pot of milk rice. If it is…

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