Galle: The Jewel of Sri Lanka's Southern Coast

• Helloහාලෝ
  [halo]
• Goodbyeවාරයා
  [vaaraya]
• Yesඔව්
  [ow]
• Noනෑ
  [nay]
• Please/You're welcomeකරන්න/ආයුබෝවන්
  [karanna/ayubowan]
• Thank youඔබට ස්තූතියි
  [obata sthuthiyi]
• Excuse me/Sorryසමාජයා/කණ්ඩා
  [samajaya/kandaa]
• How are you?ඔය කොසේ වුනා?
  [oya kohse wunaa?]
• Fine. And you?හොඳේ. ඔයට?
  [hode. oyata?]
• Do you speak English?ඔය ඉංග්‍රීසි කතා කරයිද?
  [oya ingreesi katha karayi da?]
• I don't understandමම දැනගන්නේ නෑ
  [mama dannanne nay]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseමම මෙනු බලන්නද?
  [mama menu balanada?]
• I don't eat meatමම මෙත් කෑම නෑ
  [mama meth kama nay]
• Cheers!සුභ උඩුවේවා!
  [suba udawewa]
• I would like to pay, pleaseමම ගොන්නද
  [mama gonnada]

• Help!උක්කථනය!
  [ukkathanaya]
• Go away!ගමේබයය!
  [gambe bayaa]
• Call the Police!පොලිස් කෙලේද
  [polis kaleda]
• Call a doctor!වෛරස කෙලේද
  [vairaas kaleda]
• I'm lostමම මොකාවේ
  [mama mokawewa]
• I'm illමම අවේද්දාවේ
  [mama aweddwawewa]

• I'd like to buy...මම ... මේවුවා
  [mama ... mewwa]
• I'm just lookingමම බට පට්ටියා
  [mama bat pattiyaa]
• How much is it?එය කොසේ කොයා?
  [eya kohse koya?]
• That's too expensiveඑය තියොසියා
  [eya tiyosiyaa]
• Can you lower the price?ඔය මිල අඩු කලන්නාද?
  [oya mila adu kalannada?]

• What time is it?වේලාව කොසේ කොයා?
  [welawa kohse koya?]
• It's one o'clockඑය එකට
  [eya ekata]
• Half past (10)දහයේ පස්
  [dahayata pasa]
• Morningපෙලේ
  [pele]
• Afternoonසවස
  [savasa]
• Eveningසමරව
  [samara]
• Yesterdayඊයේ
  [iyee]
• Todayඅද
  [ada]
• Tomorrowහෙනට
  [henata]
• 1එක
  [eka]
• 2දෙක
  [deka]
• 3තුන
  [thuna]
• 4හාස්
  [has]
• 5පහ
  [paha]
• 6හය
  [haya]
• 7හත්
  [hath]
• 8අශ්ච්චය
  [aschchaya]
• 9නවය
  [navaya]
• 10දහවල
  [dahawala]

• Where's a/the...?... කොටින්ද?
  [... kotinada?]
• What's the address?ලිපිනන් කගේද?
  [lipinn kageda?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?මම පින්දට පොන්නද?
  [mama pinat ponnada?]
• When's the next (bus)?ඊලන කොටින්ද?
  [iyalan kotinada?]
• A ticket (to ....)ටිකට් (.... වේඩිල්ගින්)
  [ticket (.... wedilgin)]

Galle's history dates back over 2,000 years, with its name believed to be derived from the Sinhalese word 'Gaala,' meaning 'cattle fold' or 'harbor.' The city was a prominent trading port long before the arrival of European colonizers, attracting merchants from Arab, Persian, Greek, Roman, Malay, Indian, and Chinese origins.

In 1505, the Portuguese arrived in Galle, marking the beginning of European influence in the city. They built the initial fortifications, including a small fort, to secure their hold over the lucrative spice trade. The Portuguese rule lasted until the early 17th century, leaving behind a legacy of architectural and cultural influence.

The Dutch East India Company seized Galle from the Portuguese in 1640. The Dutch expanded and fortified the city, constructing the iconic Galle Fort, which still stands today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This period saw the development of intricate canal systems, public buildings, and a cosmopolitan trading hub.

In 1796, the British took control of Galle from the Dutch, integrating it into the British Empire's growing dominion over Sri Lanka. While the British shifted most administrative functions to Colombo, Galle remained an important port and continued to flourish as a center of trade and culture.

Galle Fort is a living monument, blending European architecture with South Asian traditions. It houses museums, churches, mosques, and a vibrant community. Visitors can explore its cobblestone streets, ancient ramparts, and picturesque colonial buildings, offering a glimpse into the layered history and diverse cultural heritage of Galle.

On December 26, 2004, Galle was devastated by a massive tsunami triggered by an undersea earthquake near Sumatra. The disaster caused significant loss of life and property, but Galle's resilient community and international aid led to a remarkable recovery. Today, Galle stands as a symbol of resilience and restoration.

Galle's strategic location made it a melting pot of cultures, languages, and religions. The city is home to a diverse population, including Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and Burgher communities, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Galle's cultural heritage. This diversity is reflected in the city's festivals, cuisine, and daily life.

Galle is located on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka. The nearest international airport is Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, approximately 150 kilometers away. From Colombo, you can take a taxi, private car, or the expressway bus to Galle, which typically takes around 2 to 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a scenic train ride along the coastline, which takes about 2.5 hours and offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean.

Galle is a compact city, and many attractions are within walking distance. Tuk-tuks are a popular and convenient mode of transportation for short distances. For longer trips, local buses are available but can be crowded and less comfortable. Taxis and ride-sharing services like PickMe are also options. Renting a bicycle or a scooter can be a fun way to explore the city and its surroundings 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 larger shops. However, it is advisable to carry cash, especially when visiting smaller establishments and local markets. ATMs are widely available in Galle, and you can also exchange foreign currency at banks and authorized money exchange centers.

Galle 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, such as markets and public transport. While there are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, it's always best to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

In case of emergency, dial 119 for police assistance and 110 for medical emergencies. The local police station and hospitals in Galle are well-equipped to handle emergencies. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are numerous pharmacies 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. Always cover your head and remove your shoes when entering temples. Public Transport: Do be respectful and offer your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a smile and a slight bow or a 'hello'. Handshakes are common in business settings. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don’t refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Galle like a local, visit the bustling Galle Market 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 city's history and culture. Don't miss the Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can explore colonial-era buildings, museums, and cafes. For a unique experience, take a stroll along the fort's ramparts at sunset for breathtaking views of the ocean.