Nuwara Eliya: The Little England of Sri Lanka

• Helloසුභ උදෑසනක්
  [subha udēsanak]
• Goodbyeසමොයියා
  [samōyiya]
• Yesඔව්
  [ōvə]
• Noනෑ
  [nē]
• Please/You're welcomeකරන්න/ආයුබෝවන්
  [karanna/āyubōwan]
• Thank youඔබේ උදේහාවෙන්
  [ōbē udēhāwēn]
• Excuse me/Sorryකියන්න/සමාධික
  [kiyanna/samādika]
• How are you?ඔබ කොහොමද?
  [ōba kōhōmada?]
• Fine. And you?හොඳින්. ඔබ?
  [hōdin. ōba?]
• Do you speak English?ඔයා ඉංග්‍රීසි කතා කරයිද?
  [ōyā iṅgrīsi kathā karayida?]
• I don't understandමම අතිනවා නම්
  [mama aṭinavā nam]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseකරුණාකොට මෙනු බලන්න
  [karunakōta mēnu balanna]
• I don't eat meatමාමිල් කන්නේ නෑ
  [māmils kane nē]
• Cheers!චීර්ස්!
  [cīrs!]
• I would like to pay, pleaseකරුණාකොට ගෙව්ලේ ගැනෙන්න
  [karunakōta gēvlē gānenna]

• Help!උක්මැලේ!
  [ukmālē!]
• Go away!පිටවන්න!
  [piṭavan!]
• Call the Police!පොලිස් කළයුද?
  [polis kalayuda?]
• Call a doctor!වෛරයෙක් කළයුද?
  [værayēk kalayuda?]
• I'm lostමම අතිරේකදි
  [mama atirēkadi]
• I'm illමම රෝගීය
  [mama rōgiya]

• I'd like to buy...කරුණාකොට වෙලාවක් වෙලාවක්
  [karunakōta wēlāwak wēlāwak]
• I'm just lookingමම පොලියෙනවා
  [mama poliyenavā]
• How much is it?එය කොහොමද?
  [ēya kōhōmada?]
• That's too expensiveඑය ඉතාම ගාළුක්
  [ēya itam gāluk]
• Can you lower the price?මිල අඩුයින්න කළ හැකිද?
  [mila aduyinna kala hækida?]

• What time is it?දවසේ කොහොමද?
  [dawasē kōhōmada?]
• It's one o'clockඑකට
  [ēkata]
• Half past (10)දහයට
  [dahayata]
• Morningඋදේ
  [udē]
• Afternoonදවසේ
  [dawasē]
• Eveningසවසා
  [sawasā]
• Yesterdayඊයේ
  [īyē]
• Todayඅද
  [ada]
• Tomorrowහෙට
  [heta]
• 1එක
  [ēka]
• 2දෙක
  [dēka]
• 3තුන
  [thuna]
• 4හතර
  [hathara]
• 5හන්දය
  [handaya]
• 6හය
  [haya]
• 7හත්ව
  [hathwa]
• 8අට
  [ata]
• 9නතුර
  [nathura]
• 10දහය
  [dahaya]

• Where's a/the...?කොටුවේ කොහොමද?
  [kotuwē kōhōmada?]
• What's the address?ලිපිනය කොහොමද?
  [lipinaya kōhōmada?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?මාප් එකේදැයි පෙන්නාවෙද?
  [map ekēdayi pennaeweda?]
• When's the next (bus)?ඊළඟ (බස්) කොහොමද?
  [īlagā (bas) kōhōmada?]
• A ticket (to ....)ටිකට් (එකේදැයි ....)
  [tikat (ēkēdayi ....)]

Nuwara Eliya, often referred to as 'Little England,' was established by British colonialists in the early 19th century. The city was founded by Samuel Baker in 1846, who was renowned for his explorations in Africa. The British were drawn to the area for its cool climate and picturesque landscapes, making it an ideal retreat from the tropical heat of the lowlands.

The introduction of tea plantations in the mid-19th century transformed Nuwara Eliya into a key player in Sri Lanka's burgeoning tea industry. James Taylor, a Scottish planter, successfully planted the first tea seedlings in 1867, leading to widespread cultivation. The region's high elevation and cool climate proved perfect for producing high-quality Ceylon tea, which remains a primary export of Sri Lanka.

Nuwara Eliya's architecture is a testament to its colonial past. The city is dotted with Tudor-style cottages, Victorian mansions, and colonial-era hotels. The Hill Club, established in 1876, and the Grand Hotel, converted from a villa into a hotel in 1891, are prominent examples. These buildings offer a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by the British during their rule.

In 1875, Nuwara Eliya saw the establishment of its famous racecourse, which became a major social hub for British expatriates. Horse racing was a popular pastime, and the racecourse remains operational today, hosting annual events that attract both locals and tourists. Additionally, the city features a golf course dating back to 1889, further solidifying its status as a recreational haven.

Nuwara Eliya is also significant in Hindu mythology. The Seetha Amman Temple, located in the village of Seetha Eliya, is believed to mark the spot where Sita, wife of Lord Rama, was held captive by the demon king Ravana. This connection to the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, attracts numerous pilgrims and adds a layer of spiritual depth to the city's cultural landscape.

The Hakgala Botanical Gardens, established in 1861, are among the highest in the world. Initially created for the cultivation of Cinchona, a plant used to produce quinine for malaria treatment, the gardens now showcase a diverse array of flora. The cool climate allows for the growth of temperate and subtropical plants, making it a significant center for botanical research and a popular tourist attraction.

Nuwara Eliya is located in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. The nearest international airport is Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, approximately 170 kilometers away. From Colombo, you can take a taxi, private car, or a bus to Nuwara Eliya. The journey typically takes around 5 to 6 hours by road due to the mountainous terrain. Alternatively, you can take a train from Colombo to Nanu Oya, which is the closest railway station to Nuwara Eliya, and then continue the journey by taxi or tuk-tuk.

Nuwara Eliya is a relatively small town, and many of its attractions are within walking distance. For longer trips, local taxis and tuk-tuks are readily available and relatively inexpensive. Public buses operate within the town and connect to nearby villages. Renting a car or a scooter can also be a convenient option for exploring the surrounding areas at your own pace. However, be cautious when driving in the hilly terrain.

The official currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Credit cards are accepted in some hotels, restaurants, and shops, but it is advisable to carry cash, especially in smaller establishments and rural areas. ATMs are available in Nuwara Eliya, but it is wise to withdraw sufficient cash before traveling to ensure you have enough funds.

Nuwara Eliya 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 there are no 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 immediate assistance. The local police station and medical facilities are available in Nuwara Eliya. 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. Always 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 smile and a slight bow of the head. A handshake is also common. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Nuwara Eliya 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 tea plantations and factories to learn about the tea-making process. For a unique experience, take a boat ride on Lake Gregory or enjoy a horseback ride through the scenic landscapes.