Known as Ceylon until 1972, Sri Lanka means Resplendent Island. Just off the southern tip of India, the island is about the size of Ireland and home to 20 million people. The small island packs in a continent’s worth of attractions with 8 UNESCO world heritage sites, mountainous tea country, spectacular wildlife, epic food, and breathtaking coastlines combine to form a tapestry, filled with intriguing characters that bring the story of today’s Sri Lanka to life. The country has a rich cultural heritage with its strategic location along the ancient silk route. Ancient Greeks called it Taprobane, Persians and Arabs referred to it as Serendib, the origin of the word “serendipity”.