03rd February 2012

Meet on Arrival and transferred to a hotel in Colombo. Overnight at a hotel in Colombo

04th February 2012 – INDEPENDENCE DAY OF SRI LANKA

After breakfast Embark on a city tour of Colombo.
Prior to the year 1972, Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon. For more than a century Sri Lanka was a British crown colony but on 4 February, 1948 the country achieved its independence to officially become the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Don Stephen Senanayake became Sri Lanka's first Prime Minister.
Since the attainment of freedom from British rule, Sri Lanka has enjoyed a stable democracy and steady economic growth in spite of the conflict with a separatist military group called LTTE in the recent years.
The independence day of Sri Lanka is a great national occasion celebrated with parades and pageants combined with the spirit of patriotism and national pride. The celebrations begin with the hoisting of the national flag and singing the national anthem, followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp ceremony. Subsequently there are various cultural programs as well as serving of refreshments.
 In the evening proceed to Bentota.
Bentota is a Sri Lankan coastal city located on the southern tip of the Galle District of the Southern Province, about 7–8 kilometres (4.3–5.0 mi) south of Beruwala on the A2 highway. The name comes from a mythical story which dates back to kings time saying a demon called Bem ruled this river and a handful of world-class hotels. It is a destination for watersports. It is the hosting Bentota also delivers an ancient art of healing called Ayurveda. Bentota is famous for its toddy production, an alcoholic beverage made out of coconut nectar
Over nightstay at a hotel in Bentota

05th Feb 2012

After breakfast embark on a city tour of Galle. To add to the natural beauty, Galle has a great history too. The history goes in to King Solomon's time. It is believed that Galle is the ancient seaport "Tarshish", from which king Solomon drew the ivory and other valuables. It's been the most prominent seaport before the western rule of the country. Persians, Arabs, Greeks, Romans, Malays and Indians were doing business through Galle port. The 'modern' history of Galle starts in 1505, when the first Portuguese ship was drawn by a storm and the captain Lourenzo de Almeida came near Galle. But he did not land. Later they occupied many Sri Lankan Coastal towns, and by 1597, built a small fortification in Galle. Overnight at a hotel in Bentota.

06th Feb 2012

Navam Perahera – Another pageant held in Colombo on the full moon poya during the month of February. It is a spectacular event perhaps second only to the ever popular Esala Perahera held in Kandy. It is one of the most important religious and cultural events in the Sri Lankan calendar. The streets of Colombo are transformed in to a vibrant and colourful pageant of Elephants, almost entirely covered with richly embroided colourful cloth, drummers flutists and whip crackers. This annual event is organized by the Gangaramaya Temple which draws about fifty groups of various traditional artists from all over the Island. This magnificent spectacle is viewed by thousands of people each year and very popular among tourists as well.

07th February 2012 After breakfast proceed to the airport for departure.