Sri Lanka, the land of exotic beaches, wildlife & biodiversity, has a rich cultural heritage. And the tourists all across the world are attracted by the country’s cultural diversity. That’s why the rapidly growing tourist & hospitality industry of Sri Lanka creates endless business opportunities for foreign investors. However, if you’re a business that wants to invest in this profitable market, understanding its cultural traditions is crucial to building relationships with locales. In this matter, language is considered a barrier that can prevent investors from negotiating their deals with local businesses and fully engaging with their customers. Most businesses and tourism companies get professional Sinhala translation services and cultural consultancies from local LSPs to smoothly run their operations in the country. 

Sri Lanka – An Overview of Local Culture 

Sri Lanka’s culture is greatly influenced by India. The two different groups that reside in this country are Sinhalese and Tamils. Furthermore, the two main religions, Buddhism and Hinduism came from India. The country’s religious diversity can be seen, as there are many Buddhist and Hindu temples, as well as mosques and churches spread over the land. Not only that, the Indian roots have shaped many things in Sri Lanka. This includes art, buildings, books, music, medicine, and the study of stars (astrology). The way Sri Lanka has been influenced by other countries, its historical significance and modern development, and the presence of different economic classes make it a diverse place to live. To do business in Sri Lanka, you will need to overcome the language barrier with the help of Sinhala translation. 

Here are some highlights of Sri Lankan culture. 

Arts Forms

Sri Lanka has a long history of art, including buildings, statues, and paintings. These things show how India has influenced Sri Lanka, but they also show how Buddhism has inspired people there. Old stories from Sri Lanka show a mix of Indian and Buddhist ideas. 

Sinhalese and Tamil folk traditions have a long history in the performing arts in Sri Lanka. These traditions have been influenced by recent imports and imitations from other cultures.

One of the most well-known folk dance forms is Kandyan dancing. This elegant dance has been part of state ceremonies and religious rituals in Kandy for centuries.

Another popular form is devil dancing. This more improvised dance is often performed during healing rites. In drama, you can find modernized versions of folk theater alongside original works and adaptations from Western playwrights.

Literature 

Sri Lankan literature beautifully reflects Sri Lankan culture. Most of it is written in Sinhala, but some literary work is also done in other languages like Pāli, Tamil, and English. However, the ancient language is quite different from the language spoken by people in Sri Lanka now. If you want to study Sri Lankan literature, you can get help from a translation agency providing Sinhalese translation services. 

Important Festivals 

Buddhists and Hindus celebrate different festivals with religious zeal. Buddhists celebrate Vesak Poya. They celebrate this day to honor the birth, contributions, and passing of Buddha. On the flip side, Hindus celebrate Maha Shivarathri. This is the festival related to the Hindu, Lord Shiva. People who worship Lord Shiva take a purifying bath at dawn and fast for a day. 

Greetings 

Respect for elders and proper etiquette are integral to Sri Lankan culture. When greeting someone, it is customary to press palms together under the chin and bow slightly, accompanied by the phrases “Vannakkam” (in Tamil) or “Ayubowan” (in Sinhalese).

Broadcasting and Media

Newspapers and TV shows in Sri Lanka are mostly in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. The government runs the radio and TV stations, as well as some newspapers. Not all newspapers are run by the government. Their media is open and critical, which shows people have democratic rights to speak. However, the government has the authority to intervene if they think they are inappropriate. 

Food 

Because Sri Lanka is a tropical island with lots of plants, the food there is famous for having many different herbs, spices, and vegetables. Some special dishes are Polos, which is a curry made with jackfruit, spices, pandan leaves, and coconut milk, and Kiribath, which is a special kind of rice cooked with thick coconut milk and often served on special occasions.

Clothes 

People in Sri Lanka mostly wear saris (women) and lungis (men). You may also see monks wearing Buddhist robes in saffron or maroon shades. At religious sites, people prefer wearing modest clothes, and they take off their shoes and hats. 

Sports 

The people of Sri Lanka love playing cricket. Watching a cricket match is a great way to experience local culture. Traditional games like ankeliya, batta, and elle are also played, especially during the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year celebrations.

Wrapping Up 

You can either study the culture through literature or visit this beautiful country to explore different facets of life. It is indeed a land worth exploring in terms of business and tourism. If you are visiting the country for business purposes, make sure to hire a native Sinhala language translator as a guide and interpreter. It will help you track better deals with local manufacturers and businesses through clear negotiations.

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