Head for the rolling hills to escape the heat of the plains in the cool of tea plantations. The entire island is teeming with bird life, and exotics like elephants and leopards are not uncommon. To top it all off, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and costs are low. For a small island, Sri Lanka has many nicknames: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient. This colourful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of the affection it evokes in its visitors. Marco Polo considered Sri Lanka the finest island of its size in all the world, and you'll likely agree after exploring the country's fabled delights. What takes your fancy? Beaches? The coastal stretch south of Colombo offers palm-lined sandy expanses as far as the eye can see. Culture? Try the Kandyan dances, a procession of elephants or the masked devil dances. Ruins? You'll find enough ancient and inspiring architecture in the cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to satisfy that inner archaeologist. History of Sri Lanka : - Sri Lanka's history is one, which faded years ago. It is known mainly in two ways firstly as a Buddhist country and secondly as demon Rawana's Lanka where Lord Ram skipped to rescue Sita. It's actual history starts from 4th century B.C. when Sinhalese kingdom of Anuradhapura developed as the strongest kingdom of all, but with the coming of Mahinda, son of the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka in 3rd century B.C the King and his followers were soon converted to Buddhism.