Culture of Sri Lanka - history, people,
traditions, women, beliefs, food, customs,
Sri Lanka is a small tropical
island that is located right below
the southern tip of India, covering
about 25,000 sq. mi. of land.
Sri Lanka received its
independence from Great Britain
in 1948.
The two most prominent groups
in Sri Lanka are the Sinhalese
people and the Tamil people.
Sri Lanka is known for its tea
plantations, spicy food, and the
hospitality of its people.
(World Culture Encyclopedia)
family, social.” World Culture Encyclopedia,
https://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Sri-
Lanka.html. Accessed 20 January 2023.
“Events and Festivals in Sri Lanka | Embassy
of Srilanka - Paris.” Embassy of Sri Lanka in
Paris,
https://srilankaembassy.fr/en/page/142-
events-and-festivals-sri-lanka. Accessed 23
January 2023.
Scroope, Chara. “Sri Lankan Culture -
Religion — Cultural Atlas.” Cultural Atlas,
https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/sri-lankan-
culture/sri-lankan-culture-religion. Accessed
23 January 2023.
“Traditions and Customs.” New Page 1,
https://www.isical.ac.in/~isectrg/srilanka/W
EB/Culture.htm. Accessed 20 January 2023.
An important ritual and tradition in Sri
Lanka. An astrologer, based on the time
of birth usually provides a selection of
letters for a newborn’s name to start
with. ("Traditions and Customs)
and the Tamil people of Sri Lanka mostly
This type of dance is ritualistic and is
performed to appease evil spirits which
cause sickness and troubles. Dancers
typically wear masks or paint their
bodies to depict birds, demons, and
animals.
("Traditions and Customs")
Families in Sri Lanka celebrate their
children’s maiden feeding of a meal of rice
in a ceremony. People believe that children
Sri Lanka has many religions that its
population follows. Majority of Sri Lankans
follow Theravada Buddhism, followed by
Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity. The
Sinhalese people mostly follow Buddhism
accompanied by curry and sambol. This
follow Hinduism. (Scroope)
Sinhala & Tamil New Year:
Celebration of the traditional New Year of the
Sinhalese and the Tamil people respectively.
Vesak Festival:
Celebration of the commemoration of the
birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
Deepavali:
Also known as Diwali in India, is also
celebrated in Sri Lanka with fireworks and light
by the Tamil people.
Sri Lankan cuisine is somewhat similar to
southern India’s but includes its twist. Sri
Lankan cuisine heavily uses coconut,
coconut milk, spices, and fish. Their staple
meal consists of a large serving of rice,
Country 4x4 Off-
Road Driving
meal is usually eaten for lunch. The
traditional morning and evening meals
consist of hoppers, Sri Lankan roti, and
dosa served with sambol and curries.
(World Culture Encyclopedia)
Sour fish curry - fish ambul thiyal,
Sri Lankan style chicken curry - kukul
mas curry,
Polos - green jackfruit curry
Hoppers

will grow up healthy with the blessings of (“Events and Festivals in Sri Lanka | Embassy of Srilanka - Paris”)
this ceremony. ("Traditions and Customs")

Sri Lankans believe that people are reborn

in another form, based on their deeds in
their present life. Sinhalese Buddhists
work on achieving enlightenment in their
lives, whereas Tamil Hindus believe
offering prayers to gods returns good life.
(Scroope)