It is a centre of the Buddhist religion and reflects Buddhist culture from the past, as well as glimpses of Hinduism. Today, the Sinhalese are in the majority, population-wise; Tamils, who are located in the north and east of the island, form the largest ethnic minority. The two communities have been at loggerheads with each other, with the Tamils claiming that it was their forefathers from India who had migrated to that country and built it up, only to find themselves being elbowed aside by the locals, who then started to isolate them, even denying them the right to vote! The Sinhalese counter that with the argument that Tamils were brought in from Southern India-from the nearest Indian State, Tamil Nadu-as labourers and slaves and therefore had no right to claim anything in Sri Lanka. A faction of the Tamils, the Lanka Tamil Tigers Eelam (LTTE) had been fighting a twenty-year war with the Centre, with underhand support from the Indian and other Tamils, only to lose out totally in end-2009. The political status of the country is being determined today, with elections round the corner.

The country can be divided into three zones by elevation: the central highlands, the plains, and the coastal belt. The core of the island is dominated by a high plateau which features several high mountains. Pidurutalagala Mountain, considered as a pilgrimage spot by locals, reaches 2,524 m; Adam's Peak, at the southern end of the plateau, better known for its spectacular
scenery, is also a pilgrimage site at an elevation of 2224 meters. Tropical forests well in from the coast are the natural habitat of its wildlife, and the country boasts of many wild life sanctuaries. The plains have rich soil, good for agriculture. A coastal belt surrounds the island, with scenic beaches and lagoons. Thus, Sri Lanka, with its scenery and history, is a tourist’s paradise.

Places worth visiting are the hill temple of Kandy, which stores on tooth of Buddha; the natural rocky harbours at Trincomalee on the northeastern coast and Galle on the southwestern coast; Nuwara Eliya, a Hindu Tamil town in central Sri Lanka and home of the famous Ceylon Tea; Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruva, and Dambulla cave temple, all of which are Heritage Sights and the Palk Strait, a causeway to India, washed away in parts by a Tsunami in 1460 CE. Hindu mythology claims that God Ram built this bridge during his 14-year exile. Colombo has many attractions to offer. The disastrous Tsunami of 2004 and the past civil war affected tourism, but over half a million tourists came to Sri Lanka in 2006, mainly from the United Kingdom, Canada, China, the United States, Australia, and India.

The major markets of Sri Lanka's exports are the United States and India. Apparel is its
money-spinning item, specifically brassieres and advanced sportswear. A free trade agreement with India has boosted its economy considerably. It also exports spices and condiments.

Travel is easy in the country, with good roads and railways. Sri Lanka's climate is tropical and warm, with cooling ocean winds in the evenings. Rains are frequent. Winter is mild, even at heights. Its time is at UTC + 5 hours and its currency the Sri Lankan Rupee (SLR). The exchange rate is 1US $= 115 SLR. Visas are not required.