ful island, there are very large mountainous islands, golden sandy beaches,
and within an hour or two you can
be in the mountains where the temperature is 40-50 degrees. We have
all the different climates there. Sri
Lanka has a great history, it’s more
than 2,000 years old and what’s interesting is the Sri Lankan history is
written. There is a book — written
initially on stone and rock surfaces
— but now on paper and obviously computers. But there’s an actual
written history, called “Mahavansa”.
It’s the only written history of any
country in the world. We are a multicultural nation, we have Sinhalese,
muslims, we are a multireligious nation living in harmony.
Dr. Bandula: Sri Lanka also boasts
about free medical care, throughout
the country and the island, medical
care is free. Whether it’s heart surgery or cancer treatment, it’s 100%
free to the people. It’s one of those
countries where these two are free to
the people, education and health care.
Sri Lanka is very proud of that.
Sangeeta: How does Sri Lanka attract tourists from around the world?
Dr. Bandula: Actually Sri Lanka is
now considered one of the best countries for tourism. I don’t remember
the number, maybe one, two or three,
but it’s a favorite destination. We have
a lot of tourists coming from Europe,
especially France; Italy, and the U.K.,
Germany and some Scandinavian
Sangeeta: Sri Lanka is such a
countries as well. The attraction is
small island, however I have come
the beach, the warm weather, and
across some highly educated people.
also we have tourists coming from
Tell us about your education system.
India recently, because it’s close and
Dr. Bandula: Sri Lanka is a very we have the good weather. Sri Lanka
literate country. The government is very clean, and we have nice hoover the years has input certain laws tels, so we have a lot of tourists from
and requirements for literacy. That India. Over the last five years we’ve
happened maybe 40-50 years ago had a lot of tourists coming from
since independence.
Literacy is China … most are for business and
about 95%. Education is important, some for non-business. There are
the children are educated; they are a lot of attractions for tourism and
encouraged to go to school and get a wildlife. There are about 4-5 wildlife
high school diploma and go to uni- parks. We have elephants and leopversities. It’s a very large community ards and various animals like that.
of educated people and talent in Sri
Lanka, that is one of the reasons why Sangeeta: Since this island is very
the government has taken the mis- close to India, is the food similar, too?
sion to appoint me as a facilitator of
science, technology and innovation. Dr. Bandula: Sri Lankan food is
To make use of their talent for the very unique and a lot of people ask
development of the country. Educa- me if it’s close to Indian food, but it
tion is free from kindergarten to the isn’t. Because we use alot of cocouniversity to medical school to en- nut in our food, for example cocogineering school. To get your PhD, nut milk, in preparation, coconut oil.
Sri Lankan food has a different flaeducation is free.
vor, different taste. Obviously, we use
similar spices, but the taste is differSangeeta: During this election in
the US, education and healthcare have e