Society & Religion

About 70% of Sri Lankans are Theravada Buddhists — the oldest surviving form of Buddhism. Sri Lanka sees itself as the guardian of "pure" Buddhism, as taught by the historical Buddha Siddhartha Gautama.

Buddhism permeates every aspect of life: Poya days (full moon days) are holidays when alcohol is not sold and shops are partially closed. Temples (Viharas) are found in every village, monks in saffron robes are a common sight, and at six in the morning, temple bells and recitations can be heard everywhere.

Important for Visitors

• Temple visit: Remove shoes, cover shoulders and knees, take off hats. Do not photograph Buddha statues with your back to the camera.
• Buddha statues: Extremely sensitive topic! Buddha tattoos on the skin lead to arrest and deportation. Souvenirs with Buddha images can also be confiscated at customs.
• Monks: Women must not touch monks — even accidentally. On the bus, one stands up for monks.
• Poya days: On full moon days, alcohol is not available (hotels sometimes still serve foreign guests). Attractions can be more crowded than usual.

About 12.5% of the population are Hindus — mainly the Sri Lanka Tamils in the north and east and the Highland Tamils in the tea plantations. Sri Lanka's Hinduism is closely linked to the South Indian tradition: Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesh, and the goddess Parvati are worshipped in colorful Kovils (temples).

Visiting Hindu Temples

• Remove shoes, sometimes also leather belts
• Cover shoulders and knees
• Some sanctuaries (Sanctum Sanctorum) are accessible only to Hindus
• Walk clockwise around the temple
• Photography often allowed, but ask in the innermost area

Tamil Culture

The Tamil culture of Sri Lanka differs significantly from the Sinhalese: different language (Tamil), different script, different cuisine, different festivals. The Pongal Festival (January) and Thai Pongal are the most important holidays. In Jaffna, Tamil is the main language — a few words in Tamil (see language guide) are especially appreciated here.

Although officially abolished, the caste system still plays a role in Sri Lanka — in marriages, rural coexistence, and politics. It is less rigid than in India but more present than one might expect.

Among the Sinhalese, the Goyigama caste (farmers) is the highest and produces most politicians and businesspeople. Among the Tamils, the caste system is more pronounced — the Vellalar traditionally dominate.

For travelers, the caste system is hardly visible, but it helps to understand the social dynamics: why certain villages are inhabited only by certain groups, why marriage ads in newspapers specify caste, and why the tea plantation Tamils are still socially marginalized today.

Ayurveda in Sri Lanka is not a wellness trend but a living medical system practiced for over 3,000 years. Besides India, Sri Lanka is the only country where Ayurveda is recognized as a full-fledged medical system — with its own universities, clinics, and state-registered doctors.

Authentic Ayurveda vs. Spa Ayurveda

• Authentic Ayurveda treatments: Begin with a medical consultation (pulse diagnosis), individual treatment plan, special diet, and daily treatments (oil massages, herbal baths, steam treatments). Minimum 7 days, ideally 14–21 days. From 35 € per day including full board.
• Spa Ayurveda: Individual massages and treatments in hotels and spas — pleasant but not therapeutic. From 3,000 LKR (~8.50 €) per treatment.

The Three Doshas

Ayurveda is based on the concept of the three Doshas (life energies): Vata (air/ether), Pitta (fire/water), and Kapha (earth/water). Each person has an individual constitution, and illness arises from an imbalance of the Doshas. The treatment aims to restore balance.