Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
The Knowledge
Indika ‘Indi’ Prasad Kumara has lived in Sri Lanka all his life. As our 2019 joint bronze awardwinner, the Intrepid Travel guide reveals his top tips, and why he goes with the flow on Brexit...
Tales from the road with Guide Award-winner Indika Prasad Kumara
Sri Lanka’s history is turbulent…
I did the national tour guide course in 2006, but due to the civil war, I didn’t start guiding until 2012. We’ve faced challenges: the civil war lasted over 25 years, then the tsunami in 2004 and last Easter’s terrorist attacks, which badly affected the economy. Hotels went bankrupt. Tour guides didn’t have jobs. After a few months, things went back to normal, but we still need support. Tourists are good for our economy.
…but we’re still a natural paradise.
We have mountains, more than 100 rivers, 100 waterfalls, Sigiriya – the rock fortress that we consider the eighth wonder of the world – and the monasteries where Buddhist monks live. In the countryside, the people are so generous. They have little, but on full moon days, you will see prayer food plates being shared with the people, their neighbours and Buddhist monks.
Wildlife numbers are high, too.
Minneriya NP is the best place in the world to see wild elephants, especially in July or August. More than 300 elephants come to the water with baby calves – that’s Asia’s largest wild elephant gathering. For sloth bear and leopard, go to Yala or Wilpattu NP, which is the country’s biggest park – and near my hometown, Anuradhapura, too.
This is how we say cheers.
One time, my group and I were on a two-day mountain walk. We were having a drink when this lady said, “I’ve found the local word for cheers – Happy Cow!” Everyone said it, but I didn’t know it. She said our caretaker Raj (who didn’t speak any English) told her. I asked him and he said that he didn’t understand her. He thought she was talking about cheese – there’s a brand called Happy Cow!
Brexit is everywhere.
Once I had two Brits in a group; one wanted to leave the EU and the other was keen to remain. The ‘Remainer’ told me why the UK should stay and asked my opinion. I said, “You’ve made your point so nicely, so I think you should.” The other guy then did the same, so I told him, “Yes, you should leave.” At dinner, they spoke about Brexit again. One said, “Indi also thinks we should stay in the EU.” The other guy looked at me and said, “But you told me we should leave!” I just go with the flow!
Travellers are on a pilgrimage.
When people travel in Sri Lanka, they’re looking for something. Deep down, they’re searching for something spiritual. I’m trying to add to that.
Always try to make the world better.
The government pays for education, but most people leave to live elsewhere. I feel responsible to stay and do something good – set up a small library, help kids, grow some plants. One of my favourite quotes is don’t leave the world how you found it. Make it better, a little more beautiful. I’ll definitely do something. I’ve started.
Deep down, travellers are searching for something spiritual. I’m trying to add to that