Sri Lanka, the Land of Smiles
- Wonders of the World on One Island -

An island shaped like a teardrop, floating in the Indian Ocean south of India—this is Sri Lanka, known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean.” Although small in size, the country is rich in history, nature, and culture, and is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. While Buddhism is the predominant religion, diverse cultures coexist, including Hinduism and Christianity. About 23 million people live here, and everyone is warm and smiling. Having grown up among such people, I take pride in a society where a spirit of mutual support is deeply rooted.
One particularly distinctive aspect of Sri Lankan culture is the tradition of dāna (almsgiving). This practice extends beyond donations of money and food to include acts such as organ donation. Sri Lanka is one of the leading cornea-donating countries in the world. Especially during the Buddhist festival of Vesak, free food and drink donations are made throughout the country. My family, along with other members of the community, organized such a campaign, served “kiribath,” a dish made of rice and coconut milk. Among the most popular attractions, enjoyed by children and adults, is the free distribution of ice cream, which draws crowds of hundreds of people. This “culture of giving” is embedded in everyday life, and even in times of accidents or disasters, people do not hesitate to help strangers.
Nature is another attraction of Sri Lanka. I once climbed the sacred mountain Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak). At an elevation of around 2,250 meters, the long climb was physically demanding, but the moment I looked out over the vast sea of clouds from the summit, all my fatigue vanished in an instant. It felt as if I were in heaven.
Equally unforgettable is the cuisine. One of my favorites is a light meal consisting of egg hoppers or roti served with coconut sambol. Enjoying this together with Sri Lankan tea is especially satisfying after a tiring day. For lunch or dinner, it is customary in Sri Lanka to mix several types of curry on a single plate. My personal favorite combination is fish curry and cashew curry, served with papadam, a thin, crisp wafer, and gotukola sambol, a salad made from pennywort.
This island, filled with smiles and kindness, truly deserves the name “the Land of Smiles.” To me, Sri Lanka is like a jewel that embodies all the beauty of the world.