Colonial Heritage	When the Dutch received the monopoly of the spice trade in return for getting rid of the Portuguese in the mid-17th century, they renamed the island Zeilan. The British took control of the coastal ports at the end of the 18th century, and renamed the country Ceylon.		Festivals	The massive elephant, almost entirely covered with richly embroidered cloth, leads the spectacular procession at a stately pace, proudly bearing an illuminated howdah containing a gilded casket. Within sits a replica of the sacred relic, the Tooth of Lord Buddha, a focal point of Kandy’s stunning ten-day pageant, the Esala Perahera.
Beaches	As sailor of old approached this beautiful tropical Island, they gazed upon lushly forested mountains surrounded by coastal plains, fringed by miles after miles of exquisite golden sand. No wonder so many called it The Resplendent Isle.		Sacred Sites	A large footprint embedded atop a 2234 meter mountain, Sri Pada, is belived by Buddhists to have been made by Lord Buddha on his second visit to Sri Lanka in 523 BC. This site which draws tens of thousands of pilgims each yeas, is one of several sacred places associated with the Lord Buddha.