Sri Lanka - Steeped in History

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka - click to view slideshow

Throughout Sri Lanka there are many sacred and historical places of interest, many of which have been declared United Nations World Heritage Sites. There are also a number of national parks - the most famous of which is Yala, located in the South East of the island boasting herds of elephant and the largest concentration of leopard in the world.

Take yourself into the heart of Sri Lanka and witness much evidence of a chequered history - both recent and past. According to tradition, Sri Lanka was founded with the arrival of Prince Vipaya in the 5th century BC. Sri Lanka has also been occupied by Portuguese spice traders, the Dutch and finally by the British who arrived in 1796 - Sri Lanka gained its independence in 1948.