Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Secrets of North Sri Lanka: An Uncharted Territory Welcoming Change


We all know how Sri Lanka has shot up the top of the list of ‘hot’ holiday destinations. Most probably, that’s why most of us are now booking flights, packing our bags, and searching for a car rental in Sri Lanka and so am I. It heaved me a sigh of relief to book KingsRent a Car for my travel expedition in Sri Lanka after so much of online research for a car rental service that suits my needs the best way. You, however, can choose any, based on your own needs and requirements.

Heading up high, the tropical island nation has certainly come a long way recovering from a civil war that lasted for almost three decades, and that’s exactly how my travel guide cum driver described the northern part of Sri Lanka – people with resilient souls, welcoming change as an unchartered territory.

An End to the Sad Reality


The northern part of Sri Lanka can be considered as the heartland of the minority Tamil and Hindu population in the nation of majority Buddhist and Sinhalese population. Going back in the history, being the minority population – the Tamils – demanded a discrimination-free and an equal treatment for themselves or you can say for the quarter of the nation. Every action has a reaction and consequentially, the rebellion led to a prolonged civil war, which as I earlier told, lasted for nearly three decades. The civil war came to a point where the extreme rebel guerrillas of the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE) got defeated by the military of Sri Lanka. Only the bravest ventured out of the dark. Sad it is, however, that it resulted in a massacre of tens of thousands.

Turns out, in this case, it was all about the happy ending when a new pro-reconciliation government in Colombo and minority Tamil-based parties in provinces came in power. Sri Lanka as a nation and Tamil-majority areas are in process of normalcy and that’s good news for all the wanderers who are craving to explore Sri Lanka’s northern soul.


Beyond Past and a Forgotten Civil War – Idyllic Beaches and Tiny Isles, Urging You to Visit


My travel guide cum driver, Sid, told me how a lot has changed since those dark days. Since the northern part has been reborn, many people are turning to tourism. From the hotels springing up and military bases that have been revamped into wildlife parks and nature resorts, the place has now declared peace and people got a new lease of life. Not to forget that the former battlefields are now transformed to family-friendly seaside getaways. Having that said, you’ll experience Jaffna like any other city on the subcontinent.



Tourist Attractions

Jaffna

I found Jaffna a very vibrant and lively place. You can’t forget a pleasant morning waking up to melodious bells of the Nallur temple ringing across the rooftops, can you? I never will, for a matter of fact, forget that soulful melody. The city is quite loud and proud. Nothing can describe the place better than these two words – chaotic and exotic. The driver by the car rental services I hired in Sri Lanka, went an extra mile telling me how he finds the beating of the drums and honking of horns an addition to the cacophony. Witnessing the holy men in billowing white robes and ladies in bright saris while weaving through the traffic, listed below are the places that turned out as tourist attractions to me:
  •  Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil Temple
  • Jaffna Fort
  • Jaffna Public Library
  • Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
  • St. Mary’s Cathedral
  • Former Kachcheri
  • Jaffna Archaeological Museum 
  • Jummah Mosque
  • Our Lady of Refuge Church
  • Sri Nagavihara International Buddhist Centre


Things to do in Jaffna.

I inquired with my driver from Kings Rent a Car, the car rental services I opted for my visit in Sri Lanka, what else should I be doing here, so that I do not regret not being able to admire the place enough? He was quite acquainted with the place, which is one of the reasons I chose these services in the first place. So, he took me on a ride to:

See the sights at Jaffna’s charming market.

·      Enjoy the sight of fishing boats, calm seas and quiet beaches while riding along the coastal roads in the Jaffna peninsula. 

     In case you go in March of odd-numbered years, attending biennial Jaffna Musical Festival is a mist-go event. You’ll witness folk music and dance forms that have been kept safe and sustained by families in the North and East over generations.

Trincomalee



The next day, as soon as I got up, we left for Trincomalee. One of the world’s finest natural anchorages, Trincomalee is a historic city. Sid told me how he has visited the town plenty of times and praised its charm, and also how he is surprised that people do not recognize it and just pass through it on their way to the nearby beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli.

Things to do at Trincomalee

·        Whale watching

·        Dolphin watching

·        Visit The large Lord Shiva statue at Konneshwaram temple.

    Additional places to visit can be – natural harbour, Commonwealth war cemetery, local Dutch lounges, Trinco market area

Oh! I fell in love with this tear- shaped country. The colourful beauty and the welcoming people made me feel privileged.  Why do you love Sri Lanka’s northern soul? Have you been there? If not, when are you planning your trip? Let us know in the comment section below.