(Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka)

General Information:

Location: South Asia
Capital: Colombo (commercial), Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte (administrative)
Language(s): Sinhala, Tamil
Population: 21,803,000
Total Area: 65,610 sq km
Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee
Curious Alcohol Fact: There is a local beer made from the sap of the palm tree and is known as toddy.
>Annual Average Liquor Consumption Per Capita: 0.79 liters
Most Popular Drink(s): Tea, tambili (fresh coconut juice), local beers – best enjoyed with our Sri Lanka shot glass souvenirs

Sri Lanka Video

Video Courtesy: shrigajanantours

The Country

Formerly called Serendib, Taprobane, Ceylon, Sri Lanka is located in the Indian Ocean just off the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent. The Palk Strait separates it from India however its proximity with its larger neighbor has promoted cordial relationship that can be traced back to thousands of years. Colonized by Britain, Sri Lanka became an independent nation in 1948.

Known as one of the largest exporters of cash crops like tea, coffee and coconuts, Sri Lanka is a country where the past fuses imperceptibly into the future. With a history dating back to the prehistoric times, this is a country that will make you appreciate the past and contemplate on the present for a better future.

The People

The country is fairly homogenous as the Sinhalese form around 75% of the population. Trailing behind the Sinhalese are the Tamils, Moors (descendants of Arab traders) and the Burghers who have some European ancestry. The most widely used languages in the country are Sinhalese and Tamil, while English is spoken by a significant minority.

Although the island nation is multireligious, the predominant religion is Buddhism (Theravada Buddhism to be specific) and it is important to state that the country has been a very strong base for Buddhists for thousands of years. Today, around 70% of Sri Lankans are Buddhists. Others are followers of Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Virtually every Sri Lankan I met emphasized the importance of religion and I found them to be a deeply religious people –with hearts of gold.

Eating

I was not surprised when the first meal I took was quite hot and full of spices, that is trend when you are in Asia. The dish can be considered as the staple on the island nation is rice with curry and my lovely hosts did not hesitate to welcome me with this grainy delicacy. Being an island, seafood and all kinds of fish were in abundance and generously used while cooking. Fish curry made with fresh tuna will leave you asking for more. The Sri Lankans use fantastic cutlery to eat –their fingers! You must also never miss a popular snack called kotu roti and is a nice blend of roti, chicken and vegetables.

Drinking

Tea is one of the most popular drinks in the country. You can take it with milk, sugar and crushed ginger (yes, ginger!). Strong espresso coffee is also available. You can make your day with a cup of the sweet tambili, milk of the king coconut. A country full of agriculturalists, fruit juices are never in short supply. Alcoholic drinks are also sold all over the country and the most popular brands are Three Coins and Lion Lager.

Sports

Cricket remains the most popular sports in Sri Lanka. The players have proven to be very successful in regional and international competitions. Other sports in the country include athletics, football, swimming and volleyball.

Interesting Facts

The country is also referred to as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.
The Sigiriya Rock Fortress or the Fortress in the Sky is a wonder to many tourists and locals alike.
The first female prime minister in the world, Sirimavo Bandaranaike was from this country. Her daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga would later become the Prime Minister too.
An old name for the country was Ceylon and is one of the world’s largest producers of tea.

Sri Lanka souvenirs

Moreover, Sri Lanka, with its several iconic symbols and landmarks, has always been and remains one of the most popular places to purchase souvenirs. However, among the many options of Sri Lanka-themed souvenirs, shot glasses are considered particularly and intriguing items for collecting or gifting.

Story By World By Shotglass
Contact: info@worldbyshotglass.com
©2025 World By Shotglass. All Rights Reserved
Special thanks to our contributors:
Adebayo Ahmed Adebola (Ilorin, Nigeria).