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Cinnamon Island – A Culture Thing

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Sri Lanka is a great tourist destination. This is because this little island is full of surprises that can capture the imagination of anyone who visits this charming locality, whether it’s for the first time, or if you are a regular visitor. If you are not sure about making Sri Lanka a choice of destination for travel, think again. This tear-shaped “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”, as it is popularly known as, is a beautiful, serene and adventurous place all in one go. It can hold your interest forever and transport you to another place and dimension. A fact that makes Sri Lanka such a versatile place is its tropical climate. You can experience different climates in different cities that are just a few hours apart.

Another reason that makes Sri Lanka a top place to visit, are its pristine beaches of various hues, ranging from a warm golden down south to a sparkling white up north. So when you do make it here, travel down south and experience the beauty of the waves, wind and sand, and a popular township that draws many visitors is Bentota. This is because it is not too far from the city of Colombo, but far enough to take your mind off the hustle and bustle of the city. There is also a lot one can do while in Bentota and one of those things is exploring the age-old tradition of cinnamon. Sri Lanka is well known for this intriguing spice, or Kurudu as it is locally known as. The Cinnamon Island in Bentota is an educational and interesting place. Here, you can see the preparation of cinnamon, how it is peeled off and then dried. You can also witness how the process is refined for the production of cinnamon oil. This is a major tourist attraction because it does not just show you the journey of cinnamon production on the island, it is informative too, and details the many health benefits of this one-of-a-kind spice.

When you are in the area of Bentota, boredom is not an option as there is a wide array of activities to keep you busy during your stay. Check out the production of ropes from the coconut shell fibers, visit the serene local temples and so much more. For quality accommodation in the area, you will discover a range of luxury resorts in Bentota that can host your stay in the area, such as the Avani Bentota Resort which offers unparalleled comfort and hospitality. With charming hospitality and luxury accommodation, this is one Bentota hotel that will provide all guests with an unforgettable stay.

National Day – Celebrating Sri Lanka’s Birth as an Independent Nation

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Tipped to be one of the most popular public holidays in the island nation of Sri Lanka, the National Day celebrations is a commemorative occasion to mark the country’s independence from Britain. Having gained independence from the British Crown on that hallowed day in February, 1948 the national celebrations of Independence Day recount memories from the colonial era and the hard fought freedom from foreign rule that was won due to the sacrifices and foresight of many national heroes and iconic political forces. Falling on the 4th of February each year, the Independence Day of the island formerly known as Ceylon by its foreign rulers, is a grand occasion that celebrates the country’s progress in the post-colonial era and in modern times with larger than life parades, traditional folk items and flag hoisting ceremonies.

Watched by millions of Sri Lankan citizens on television and attended by the country’s political elite and foreign diplomatic mission representatives, the state celebration of Independence Day was conducted at the iconic Galle Face Green in Colombo till recent times but has been held in other major cities in the island in the past several years. This included hill capital Kandy while the 2012 state Independence Day celebrations were marked in the ancient citadel of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle.

Following the program of Independence Day events that came before it, the celebrations included a televised speech by the country’s head of state President Mahinda Rajapakse who spoke on the challenges of the year ahead as well as the many strides towards development that have already taken place. He also paid tribute to the nation’s forces for their relentless service to the motherland. The speech was followed by a moment of silence for patriots and military personnel who lost their lives in the country’s civil war.

The procession begins with a show of military might as the various regiments of the country’s army, navy and air force take centre stage. Students from across the country performing traditional dance items are next in line along with marching bands from various local schools as well as cultural items that reflect the ethnic diversity of the island. The 2012 edition included 45 such cultural performances in the parade while a religious ceremony was conducted nearby with the participation of 300 invitees including religious leaders.

Travellers in search of elegant resorts in Bentota should look no further than the stylish Avani Bentota Resort for all their accommodation needs. Offering guests a resplendent Bentota hotel in a scenic seaside location, this luxurious rest pulls out all the stops when it comes to idyllic beach holidays in Sri Lanka.