The esssence of Sri Lanka lies in its diversity, that rich racial and cultural mosaic which makes it such a fascinating complex and contradictory country.

Food is another aspect of life that reflects the diversity of the country's culture. Although Sri Lanka has a number of indigenious dishes, there is little doubt that the Arab traders, Malay adventurers, Indian settlers and European conquerers that have landed on these shores have admirably complemented the island's cuisine.

There are many activities to find in Sri Lanka for the adventurous. Diving in Sri Lanka started thousands of years ago to exploit the rich oyster banks in the Gulf of Mannar. Nowadays it is the rich marine life, coral reefs and shipwrecks that are the attractions of this undersea world.

For those who prefer a more relaxing way to explore the rich Sri Lankan tradition, one should try Ayurveda. Known as the science of life, Ayurveda was developed thousands of years ago in India, with many practitioners in Sri Lanka. Nowadays, what tourists experience and love about this ancient system of medicine is the therapeutic oil massages, which is a must for any traveller!

As with many aspects of diversity in Sri Lanka, wildlife is no exeption. This tiny island houses some of the world's most rare wildlife and has 43 of the world's endangered species. There are a few wildlife parks in Sri Lanka that provides conservation for these endangered animals as well as re-educating the greater public. However, much of these sanctuaries are restricted zones and off-limits to tourists.