Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and silkwood. The central hill zone has cloud forests and some rare highland areas popu-
lated by hardy grasslands and elfin (stunted) forests.
Other common trees are the banyan, bodhi (also known as bo or peepu), flame, rain,
Ceylon ironwood and neem, an assortment of names as colourful as their barks, leaves and
especially flowers. There are traditional medicinal uses for almost all of them. In the Hill
Country don't be surprised by the eucalypts planted to provide shade at tea estates.
Native fruit trees such as mangoes, tamarinds, wood apples and bananas grow in many
private gardens, supplemented by introduced species like papayas and guavas. The jack-
fruit and its smaller relative, the
del
(breadfruit), will certainly catch your eye. The jack-
fruit tree produces the world's largest fruit; green and knobbly skinned, it weighs up to
30kg and hangs close to the trunk.
Sri Lanka's Natural Unesco World Heritage Sites
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Central Highlands, encompassing the Sri Pada Peak Wilderness Reserve, Horton Plains
National Park & Knuckles Range
Sri Lanka's Elephants
Elephants occupy a special place in Sri Lankan culture. In ancient times they were Crown
property and killing one was a terrible offence. Legend has it that elephants stamped down
the foundations of the dagobas (stupas) at Anuradhapura, and elephant iconography is
common in Sri Lankan art. Even today elephants are held in great affection. Of those in
captivity, the Maligawa tusker, who carries the sacred tooth relic for the Kandy Esala Pera-
hera, is perhaps the most venerated of all. In the wild, one of Sri Lanka's most incredible
wildlife events is 'the Gathering' in Minneriya National Park.
Despite being held in high regard, Sri Lanka's elephant population has declined signific-
antly. Their plight has become a powerful flashpoint in the ongoing debate about hu-
man-animal conflict.
