An Exciting Excursion to Sri Lanka! Quiz

Answer: Pearl of the Indian Ocean

Sri Lanka is often called the "Pearl of the Indian Ocean". This is a simple reference to the rich beauty of the island as well as its geographical location. Sri Lanka is located about 19 miles off of the southern coast of India, and is one of southern Asia's most culturally diverse nations.

Answer: Sinhalese

The word tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese word "tora malli" which means "many colored gemstone". This is related to the many colors of tourmaline that can be found. The island has been known for centuries for the quality of the gemstones mined there.

These include sapphires, topaz, amethyst, garnet, and the world's finest rubies. There are a few mines, such as the Meetiyagoda Mine located in the southern part of the island, that allow tourists to visit. An excursion here can make a wonderful day trip.

Answer: Buddha

The Temple of the Tooth houses the only remaining relic of the Lord Buddha. Buddhists believe that upon the death of Lord Buddha, his body was cremated on a sandalwood pyre. His left canine tooth was found in ashes and has been venerated ever since. This temple is found in the city of Kandy, which was at one time, the capital of the Sri Lankan kings, and is now a UNESCO world heritage site. Buddhism is the most popular religion in the county and this fabulous temple palace is a must-see for anyone visiting or making a pilgrimage the island.

Answer: Faluda

One of the most popular drinks in Sri Lanka is faluda. This local favorite includes milk, rose syrup, tapioca pearls, vanilla ice cream, jelly pieces and basil seeds. Try it...you'll like it!

Answer: It is built in a cave

The Golden Temple of Dambulla is also known as the Dambulla Cave Temple. The Golden Temple houses Buddhist statues and wall paintings exhibited over five caves. Humans have been living in these caves for almost 3,000 years and there are burial sites in this cave complex.

This temple was built in the 1st century B.C. and from the front looks somewhat like a normal temple built into an overhanging rock. As soon as you enter you will be greeted with fantastic paintings on the walls and ceilings. While the public may view this lovely temple, there are parts that are kept private as they are considered very sacred and only a few are blessed enough to enter.

Answer: False

Although the Sri Lanka lion appears on the national flag, this wild cat is believed to have become extinct around 37,000 B.C. It is known only from two teeth that were discovered in the early part of the 20th century. The exact description of this animal cannot be ascertained from the two teeth, but it is revered throughout the country.

The flag of Sri Lanka features a golden lion on a red background, holding a golden sword. A stripe of orange representing the Sri Lankin Tamil minority and a stripe of green representing the Sri Lankan Moors appear on the left hand side of this intricate flag. A visit to Udawalawe National Wildlife Park will allow you to see the impressive Sri Lankan elephant, three types of wild cats, wild boar, and multiple other varieties of animals. Sri Lanka is world famous for their biological diversity of animals.

Answer: Cinnamon

Cinnamon is obtained from the bark of the Cinnamomum verum tree that is native only to the island of Sri Lanka. The wonderful flavor and variety of uses for this spice have made it one of the most popular in the world. It has also led to the export of Cinnamomum verum trees to other countries allowing them to produce the spice. Sri Lanka was famous for the spices grown there, and its convenient geographic location allowed for spice trading overland as well as by sea. Any visitor will be able to see native spices being grown on window ledges and small gardens as well as large plantations.

Answer: Knuckles Mountain Range

Sitting in the middle of the island, the Knuckles Mountain Range received its name by British surveyors who decided that it looked like the knuckles of a clenched fist. The Sri Lankans call the range Dumbara Kanduvetiya which translates to "mist-laden mountains". Often hidden with cloud cover, these mountains are a wonderful, unspoiled location to enjoy the native flora and fauna of the island.

The government has realized the importance of this small area of land and the amount of money it brings in from tourism, and have taken steps to keep it in its pristine condition.

Answer: Tea

Sri Lanka is one of the top three exporters of tea. The production of tea is extremely important to the country providing at least 15% of the Gross Domestic Product, and is a significant source of income for the common laborer. For many years coffee was grown on Sri Lanka but in 1869 coffee plantations were destroyed by a disease known as "coffee rust".

The area was subsequently replanted with tea which has been grown for over 100 years. Most plantations are visible from the road if you are interested in watching the picking of tea, or if you prefer, their are many tea houses at which you can sample their high quality teas.

Answer: Snow Skiing

You can do everything on this list except snow ski. And when you are tired of these you can snorkel, deep sea dive, or lay on the beautiful beaches found in Sri Lanka. If you tire of the water you can go bird watching, as the island is well-known for its large variety of species. You can top it off with dinner in any one of the many fine restaurants in the beautiful city of Colombo after watching a lively game of cricket at the R. Premadasa Stadium.