Sri Lankan holiday homes

Separated from the south of India by the narrow Gulf of Mannar, Sri Lanka is a beautiful tropical island with palm-fringed beaches, misty mountains and significant archaeology. Except for the fact that you have to pay cash (no mortgages available) buying property in Sri Lanka is easy. The market has boomed since the cease fire of 2001 and removal of the tax on foreign buyers in 2002 (it was later re-imposed). Popular tourist areas include Kandy, Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa. The latter has extensive beaches with lakes and rivers inland. Property prices are relatively low but stamp duty and legal fees can add approx 7% to the purchase price

Sri Lanka has a high degree of bio-diversity and a long tradition of making gardens under the influence of Buddhism. See notes on Buddhist gardens and Sri Lanka gardens. Potential buyers should also note that, despite a marked improvement, there is still conflict between the Tamil Tigers and the majority Sengalese population.

Sri Lanka gained its independence from the UK in 1948. Until 1972, the island was known as Ceylon. Sri Lanka was the first country in the world to have a female prime minister (Sirimavo Bandarinanaike in 1960). The national languages are Sinhala and Tamil.