Bentota: A Serene Coastal Paradise

• Helloආයුබෝවන්
  [ayubowan]
• Goodbyeසුභම හරි
  [suba harē]
• Yesඔව්
  [ōv]
• Noනෑ
  [nē]
• Please/You're welcomeකරද්දෙයි
  [karaddeyi]
• Thank youස්තූතියි
  [sthūtiyi]
• Excuse me/Sorryකියන්නේ
  [kiyannē]
• How are you?ඔයා කොහොමද?
  [ōyā kohomada?]
• Fine. And you?හදාගෙන ඇත්තෙයි. ඔයා?
  [hadāgen ēttēyi. ōyā?]
• Do you speak English?ඔයා ඉංග්‍රීසි කතා කරයිද?
  [ōyā iṁgrīsi kathā karayida?]
• I don't understandමට දන්හලවියයි
  [mata danahalaviyai]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseකරුණාකර මෙනු බලන්න
  [karunakara menu balanna]
• I don't eat meatමම මස් කෑම නැත
  [mama mas kāma nātha]
• Cheers!සුභප්පා
  [subappā]
• I would like to pay, pleaseකරුණාකර ගෙවන්නට ඇති
  [karunakara gēvannata ēti]

• Help!උක්කලවූ
  [ukkalavū]
• Go away!යන්නහොත්
  [yannahōt]
• Call the Police!පොලිස් ගෙනානවා
  [polis gēnawā]
• Call a doctor!වෛර ගෙනානවා
  [varā gēnawā]
• I'm lostමම අව්යාපාලයා
  [mama avyāpālayā]
• I'm illමම අව්යාපාලයා
  [mama avyāpālayā]

• I'd like to buy...මම ... මිල ගත්තා හොඳේ
  [mama ... mila gattha hōdē]
• I'm just lookingමම පදිනව
  [mama padinava]
• How much is it?එය කොහෙද?
  [ēya koheda?]
• That's too expensiveඑය ඉතා ගාළු
  [ēya ita gālu]
• Can you lower the price?මිල අඩු කරනවාද?
  [mila adu karanavāda?]

• What time is it?කොහෙද?
  [koheda?]
• It's one o'clockඑකට
  [ēkata]
• Half past (10)(දහයට සාප්පා)
  [(dahayata sappā)]
• Morningඋදේ
  [udē]
• Afternoonපැය
  [pāya]
• Eveningසවුන
  [savuna]
• Yesterdayඊළෙලෙල්
  [ēlēlel]
• Todayඅද
  [ada]
• Tomorrowහෙට
  [hēda]
• 1එක
  [ēka]
• 2දෙක
  [dēka]
• 3තුන
  [thuna]
• 4හතලි
  [hathali]
• 5පහ
  [paha]
• 6හය
  [haya]
• 7හත
  [hatha]
• 8අට
  [ata]
• 9නම
  [nama]
• 10දහ
  [daha]

• Where's a/the...?...වෙත?
  [...wētha?]
• What's the address?ලිපිනය කුමක්ද?
  [lipinaya kumakda?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?මගෙයි පිටකල් හෙයියාද?
  [magēyi pitakal hēyiyada?]
• When's the next (bus)?ඊළඟට කොහෙද?
  [ēlagata koheda?]
• A ticket (to ....)ගෙනාද්දට පිටකල් එකත්
  [gēnaddata pitakal ēkath]

Bentota, a coastal town in Sri Lanka, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The area was known to early travelers and traders, including the Greeks and Romans, who referred to the island as Taprobane. Bentota's natural harbor made it a significant point of interest for these early explorers.

During the medieval period, Bentota was part of the Kingdom of Kotte, a significant Sinhalese kingdom that controlled much of the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka. The town was strategically important for trade and defense, playing a critical role in the kingdom's maritime activities.

In the early 16th century, the Portuguese arrived in Sri Lanka and established control over coastal areas, including Bentota. They constructed forts and other infrastructure, leaving a lasting impact on the region's architecture and culture. The influence of Portuguese colonization is still evident in some of the local customs and traditions.

By the mid-17th century, the Dutch East India Company had taken control of Bentota from the Portuguese. The Dutch fortified the town further and developed it as a key trading post. Many of the colonial buildings and the canal system in Bentota were constructed during this period, contributing to the town's historical landscape.

In 1796, the British took control of Sri Lanka from the Dutch, marking the beginning of the British colonial period. Bentota continued to be an important coastal town under British rule. The British influence is visible in the town's infrastructure, including roads, railways, and colonial-era buildings.

After Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, Bentota evolved into a popular tourist destination. The development of luxury hotels, resorts, and other tourist amenities transformed the town into a hub for both local and international visitors. Bentota's rich history and cultural heritage continue to attract tourists from around the world.

Bentota is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, including traditional dance, music, and festivals. The town is home to several temples and religious sites, which play a significant role in the local community. The Galapatha Raja Maha Vihara, an ancient Buddhist temple, is one of Bentota's most important cultural landmarks.

Bentota is located on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, about 65 kilometers south of Colombo. The nearest international airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo. From the airport, you can take a taxi or hire a private car to Bentota, which typically takes around 2 to 3 hours by road. Alternatively, you can take a train from Colombo Fort Railway Station to Bentota Railway Station, which offers a scenic coastal route and takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Bentota is a relatively small town, and many of its attractions are within walking distance. For longer trips, local tuk-tuks (three-wheelers) are readily available and provide an affordable mode of transport. Public buses also operate within the town and connect to nearby areas. Renting a bicycle or scooter can be a fun and convenient way to explore Bentota at your own pace.

The official currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops in Bentota, but it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments and local markets. ATMs are available in Bentota, and currency exchange services can be found in banks and certain hotels.

Bentota is generally a safe destination for tourists. However, like any travel destination, it is advisable to take standard precautions. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places. While Bentota does not have specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, it is always best to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

In case of emergency, dial 119 for police assistance and 110 for medical emergencies. Bentota has local police stations and medical facilities available. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are pharmacies in the town where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Remove your shoes and cover your head when entering temples. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly 'Ayubowan' (traditional Sri Lankan greeting) or a handshake. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don’t refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Bentota like a local, visit the local markets where you can buy fresh produce and traditional Sri Lankan goods. Engage with locals, as they are often friendly and willing to share stories about the town's history and culture. Don't miss visiting the Brief Garden, designed by Bevis Bawa, and the Kande Vihara Temple. For a unique experience, take a boat ride along the Bentota River to explore the mangroves and spot wildlife.