The Story of Sri Lanka
History
Sri Lanka is a land where history lives in every stone and temple. For more than two and a half millennia, ancient kings built cities, palaces, stupas, and advanced irrigation systems that still amaze the world today. The sacred capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the breathtaking Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and the cave temples of Dambulla stand as living testaments to a proud civilization. Known across centuries as Taprobane, Serendib, and Ceylon, the island was a hub of trade and culture that connected East and West, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and glory. The name “Sri Lanka” itself means “Resplendent Island” — with “Sri” symbolizing radiance and sacredness, and “Lanka” meaning island — a fitting title for a nation celebrated for its beauty, heritage, and enduring spirit.
Buddhism
Buddhism has been at the heart of Sri Lanka for over two thousand years, shaping not only its spiritual life but also its values, architecture, and traditions. Pilgrims still journey to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura, grown from a branch of the very tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Mihintale, Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, and the serene statues of Polonnaruwa reflect the deep devotion that has guided generations. The gentle principles of compassion, mindfulness, and harmony continue to influence daily life and welcome travelers seeking peace and reflection.
Colonial Influence of the Portuguese, Dutch, and English
Sri Lanka’s natural beauty and strategic location drew the attention of European powers. The Portuguese arrived first in the sixteenth century, building forts and controlling trade along the coasts. They were followed by the Dutch, who expanded these strongholds and left behind remarkable legacies like the Galle Fort and canal networks. Finally, the British unified the island under their rule, introducing railways, tea plantations, and English education. While each colonial power left its mark, Sri Lanka’s identity remained unshaken, blending these influences into its own vibrant story.
Culture
The culture of Sri Lanka is a colorful celebration of tradition, faith, and creativity. From graceful Kandyan dances and traditional drumming to delicate handloom weaving and intricate wood carvings, every art form reflects centuries of heritage. Festivals such as the Kandy Esala Perahera fill the streets with elephants, lights, and music, creating unforgettable memories for visitors. The cuisine is just as rich, with rice and curry, hoppers, kottu roti, and world-renowned Ceylon tea offering flavors as diverse as the island itself. Hospitality is at the core of Sri Lankan life—guests are not strangers but are welcomed like family.
Beauty
Sri Lanka is often called the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, and its beauty truly shines from every corner. Golden beaches stretch for miles under swaying palms, while the blue waters sparkle with life. Inland, tea plantations roll like green carpets across mist-covered hills, waterfalls crash dramatically through valleys, and paddy fields shimmer at sunrise. The island is a painting of colors—emerald forests, silver rivers, golden sand, and endless skies. It is a land that feels both gentle and wild, peaceful yet adventurous, inviting travelers to fall in love at first sight.The culture of Sri Lanka is a colorful celebration of tradition, faith, and creativity. From graceful Kandyan dances and traditional drumming to delicate handloom weaving and intricate wood carvings, every art form reflects centuries of heritage. Festivals such as the Kandy Esala Perahera fill the streets with elephants, lights, and music, creating unforgettable memories for visitors. The cuisine is just as rich, with rice and curry, hoppers, kottu roti, and world-renowned Ceylon tea offering flavors as diverse as the island itself. Hospitality is at the core of Sri Lankan life—guests are not strangers but are welcomed like family.
The Island of Timeless Treasures
Sri Lanka is a paradise island celebrated for its rich heritage and treasured products that have attracted travellers for centuries. Known worldwide as the Land of Gems, the island offers rare blue sapphires and world-famous gemstone craftsmanship. Sri Lanka is also admired for its aromatic spices, pure Ceylon cinnamon, and the globally renowned Ceylon tea produced in its historic tea estates. Together, these timeless treasures make Sri Lanka a truly vibrant destination filled with culture, flavour, and unforgettable experiences for every visitor.
Nature
Sri Lanka is often called the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, and its beauty truly shines from every corner. Golden beaches stretch for miles under swaying palms, while the blue waters sparkle with life. Inland, tea plantations roll like green carpets across mist-covered hills, waterfalls crash dramatically through valleys, and paddy fields shimmer at sunrise. The island is a painting of colors—emerald forests, silver rivers, golden sand, and endless skies. It is a land that feels both gentle and wild, peaceful yet adventurous, inviting travelers to fall in love at first sight.The culture of Sri Lanka is a colorful celebration of tradition, faith, and creativity. From graceful Kandyan dances and traditional drumming to delicate handloom weaving and intricate wood carvings, every art form reflects centuries of heritage. Festivals such as the Kandy Esala Perahera fill the streets with elephants, lights, and music, creating unforgettable memories for visitors. The cuisine is just as rich, with rice and curry, hoppers, kottu roti, and world-renowned Ceylon tea offering flavors as diverse as the island itself. Hospitality is at the core of Sri Lankan life—guests are not strangers but are welcomed like family.
Attractive Places
Every part of Sri Lanka tells a different story. The Cultural Triangle holds treasures like Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, and Mihintale. The central highlands charm visitors with Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth, the tea country of Nuwara Eliya, and the scenic trails of Ella. Adventure seekers can hike Adam’s Peak, explore the Knuckles Range, or raft in Kitulgala. Wildlife enthusiasts find wonder in Yala, Wilpattu, and Udawalawe, while beach lovers relax in Bentota, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, and Arugam Bay. The east coast offers Trincomalee and Pasikudah, while Jaffna in the north shares a distinct cultural flavor. In Colombo and Galle, history meets modern life, creating a perfect blend of the old and new. Wherever you go, Sri Lanka greets you with beauty, warmth, and unforgettable experiences.
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Why Choose Ceyglow Tours?
Authentic Experiences – Go beyond the usual tourist paths. Explore hidden waterfalls, traditional villages, and ancient ruins with local insight.
Tailored Tours – Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, wildlife, or cultural immersion, we design your journey around your passions.
Passionate Team – We love Sri Lanka deeply – its people, traditions, and landscapes – and we love sharing it with you.
Responsible Travel – We believe in sustainable tourism that respects nature, supports local communities, and preserves heritage.
Explore With Us
Every traveler is unique – and so is every journey we create. Whether it’s:
Whale watching in Mirissa
Hiking the trails of Ella
Exploring sacred temples of Anuradhapura and Kandy
Unwinding on the golden sands of Bentota or Pasikudah
Discovering Sri Lanka’s wildlife in Yala or Minneriya
Mission
To provide safe, memorable, and unique travel experiences that connect visitors with Sri Lanka’s culture, nature, and history while supporting local communitie
Vision
To be the most trusted travel partner for explorers worldwide, helping them uncover the true magic of Sri Lanka – where every sunrise brings adventure and every moment shines with Ceyglow.
Value
At Ceyglow Tours, every journey is filled with stories, smiles, and moments to treasure for a lifetime
EXCELLENT Based on 8 reviews Posted on Jan BTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have just completed a three-week guided tour of Sri Lanka. During the last week, we were assigned mr S as a replacement guide at the last minute. He made it a fantastic finale. He was determined to give us wonderful memories, even though it was an unexpected trip for him. In addition to the sightseeing, he added a local touch by taking us to local markets, eateries, the best shops and spontaneous stops to enjoy a delicious king coconut. We had a lot of fun with him. Thank you so much for the many pleasant chats and your explanations about Sri Lanka's history, traditions and culture. We enjoyed the fun local excursions, the pleasure of eating and hiking together in the rainforest. So proud that we overcame our aversion to leeches together and discovered the pleasure of fish foot massages. The trip was too short and Sri Lanka too diverse, so we hope to return and continue to explore Sri Lanka together. Stuti! Stuti! Ayubowan! L&JPosted on Shivani GurjarTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We travelled in Sri Lanka with Mr. Shalaka (CEYGLOW TOURS) for about a week. He is a safe driver and also an excellent tour guide. We eneded up becoming very good friends with him. We travelled with him to Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella and Galle and he was extremely knowledgeable about these cities and many other topics which made for amazing conversations. He is so considerate that he called us even after the tour had ended simply to ask if we were doing okay and asked us to inform him once we reached India safely. We highly recommend him his services and wish him all the best for future!Posted on Olga PfletschingerTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great experience - all day service. super sympathic and informative talks. Shalaka took us through Colombo, pick up at our hotel in Negombo. Very important for us too: absolutely safely driving. We will certainly call Shalaka again when coming back to Sri Lanka 👍.Posted on Lucas VigierTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We spent 5 wonderful days with Shalaka as our driver across Sigiriya, Ella, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy. Shalaka is a very nice and thoughtful person, he told us a lot of history about his country. He listened carefully our needs and has always good advices to give us. I highly recommend him as your next driver for a memorable adventure in Sri Lanka !Posted on Stuart MckendrickTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Booking with Lanka Vista Tours was very easy and all done via WhatsApp from the uk. They are also very competitive price wise and comparable to other companies that we looked at. We chose them because of their professionalism in answering our queries in a timely manner. They contacted us with a list of hotels some of which we chose and others we researched ourselves which they were happy to book for us. The hotels and breakfasts were all included in the total cost and were all to a very good standard with some being more basic than others. On our arrival at 5am into Colombo Shalaka our driver and guide was ready and waiting to take us to our first hotel for the evening before starting our 9 night tour the following day. The car we were driven in was a very comfortable Honda with air con and they also have a mini bus for larger groups. The tour was very well thought out and we saw most that the cultural triangle has to offer in this beautiful, friendly country. Shalaka is an amazing driver and guide and is very reliable, honest, friendly, attentive, patient, punctual and has a great sense of humour. His knowledge of his country is second to none and he was very informative throughout our trip. He went above and beyond and changed the planned trip to suit our needs as we felt there were a few things planned that we didn’t wish to do. If you’re considering a trip to Sri Lanka please don’t settle for just a beach holiday. Book a guided tour with Lanka Vista Tours and I’m sure you will be as happy as we are with the service they offer.Posted on Kamila SyzdykovaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Shalaka is very experienced guide, very helpful and kind. He was our guide in the individual tour to Kandy, which we liked a lot. He suggested national dance show which was truly amazing! Helped to go through the tour with two kids, they liked him a lot too. Highly recommended!Posted on Nuwan AppuhamyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly recommendedPosted on Toni TurbanischTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is it - don't search any more. Shalaka drove me 10 days through Sri Lanka and was not just a chauffeur, he became a friend. 100% honest, reliable and a very safe driver. Thank you for who you are. The world needs more people like you!
