Ask a Sri Lankan where their story begins, and many will tell you about a prince who sailed from the Bengal region more than two thousand years ago. For travellers from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka is full of these quiet connections: in its founding legend, its language, its Buddhist history, its music and even its fish curries.
Prince Vijaya: a founding legend from the north-east
According to the Mahavamsa, Sri Lanka's great chronicle, Prince Vijaya was the son of King Sinhabahu of Sinhapura in the land of Lala. Many readings place that kingdom in the old Vanga region of Bengal, though historians still debate whether it lay in Bengal or western India. Banished by his father, Vijaya sailed with 700 followers and landed at a place called Tambapanni, traditionally dated to 543 BCE.
The chronicle tells how he met Kuveni, a local princess, and founded the first Sinhala kingdom. Whatever the history behind it, the story is loved in Sri Lanka. The Sinhala language is part of the Indo-Aryan family, a distant cousin of Bengali, and Bangladeshi visitors sometimes notice familiar-sounding words.
Tagore, Santiniketan and Sri Lanka's anthem
Rabindranath Tagore visited Ceylon three times, in 1922, 1928 and 1934, and his ideas inspired a generation of Sri Lankan artists and educators. One of them, the composer Ananda Samarakoon, studied at Tagore's Santiniketan. Samarakoon later wrote "Sri Lanka Matha", which became Sri Lanka's national anthem. Some people claim Tagore wrote the song himself, but most historians credit Samarakoon while recognising Tagore's influence on his music.
Buddhist bonds between Bengal and Lanka
The Buddhist reformer Anagarika Dharmapala founded the Maha Bodhi Society in Colombo in 1891 and spent much of his life working in Calcutta to restore Buddhist sites in India. For Bangladesh's Buddhist community, Sri Lanka's temples and pilgrimage sites feel especially meaningful.
The best place to feel that history is Anuradhapura, the first great capital. Its giant stupas, including the white Ruwanwelisaya, and the Sri Maha Bodhi tree, grown from a branch of the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, are among the most sacred sites in the Buddhist world.
Food that feels familiar
- Fish curries: Sri Lanka loves fish as much as Bengal does. Try ambul thiyal, a sour, peppery tuna curry from the south.
- Rice and curry: a lunch of rice with several small curries will feel like home, though Sri Lankan food is often spicier.
- Hoppers: bowl-shaped rice pancakes that may remind you of pitha.
- Sweets: watalappan, a jaggery and coconut custard, is a favourite at Muslim festivals and celebrations.
- Halal food: easy to find, especially in Colombo, and many restaurants are Muslim-owned.
Practical tips from Dhaka
- Flights: SriLankan Airlines and FitsAir fly nonstop between Dhaka and Colombo, taking about 3.5 hours. Check current schedules.
- ETA: Bangladeshi citizens need an ETA from eta.gov.lk before travel. As a SAARC country, the fee is about US$20.
- SAARC prices: some heritage sites charge SAARC visitors less. Sigiriya, for example, is about US$20 for SAARC nationals instead of US$35.
- Money: one US dollar is roughly LKR 300. Cards work in cities, but carry cash for small towns.
- Season: December to April suits the south and west coasts and the hills. May to September suits the east coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Prince Vijaya come from Bengal?
The Mahavamsa says he came from the kingdom of Lala, which many people link to the Vanga region of Bengal. Historians still debate the exact location, and some place it in western India.
Did Tagore write Sri Lanka's national anthem?
Most historians credit Ananda Samarakoon, a Sri Lankan composer who studied at Tagore's Santiniketan. Tagore's influence on Samarakoon is widely recognised.
Do Bangladeshis need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Yes. Apply for an ETA online at eta.gov.lk before you travel. The fee for SAARC nationals, including Bangladesh, is about US$20.
Is halal food easy to find in Sri Lanka?
Yes. Sri Lanka has a large Muslim community, and halal food is widely available, especially in Colombo and along the coast.
