Sri Lanka is a beautiful island nation located in South Asia. It has a rich culture and history spanning over 2000 years. The country boasts of pristine beaches, lush green forests, ancient cities, and wildlife sanctuaries. Sri Lanka also has an intriguing collection of riddles that provide a peek into its culture and language. Here are 56 such brainteasers about Sri Lanka with their answers.
General Sri Lanka Riddles
Q: I am a tree that is native to Sri Lanka with fragrant and beautiful flowers. I am the national flower of the country. What am I?
A: The Blue Water Lily is the national flower of Sri Lanka.
Q: We originate high in the Central Mountains and flow across the hill country bringing life to fields and villages as we pass through. What are we?
A: Rivers
Q: I am an ethnic group native to Sri Lanka who are believed to be descendants of Prince Vijaya and his followers. We make up the largest ethnic group in the country. Who are we?
A: Sinhalese
Q: I am the official language of Sri Lanka and belong to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. What language am I?
A: Sinhala
Q: Lanka was my capital city in ancient times. Rama’s brother was held captive here until he was rescued. What city am I?
A: Lanka refers to the Kingdom of Ravana described in the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana. Rama’s brother Lakshmana was held captive here by Ravana until Rama defeated Ravana and rescued him. So the ancient capital city referred to is possibly in the location of present-day Sri Lanka.
Geography Riddles
Q: I am the largest national park in Sri Lanka. I am an important habitat for elephants and leopards. What am I?
A: Yala National Park
Q: We are the central mountain ranges of Sri Lanka located in the south-central part of the island. What are we?
A: Central Highlands
Q: I am an extensive shallow lagoon located in northwestern Sri Lanka covering an area of nearly 250 square km. What am I?
A: Puttalam Lagoon
Q: I am a city located on the western coast of Sri Lanka along the shores of the Indian Ocean. I am known for my beautiful beaches like Unawatuna and Mirissa. What city am I?
A: Galle
Q: I am the largest lake in Sri Lanka covering an area of nearly 170 square km. What lake am I?
A: Bolgoda Lake
History Riddles
Q: Built in the 5th century AD, I am among the tallest structures from the ancient world. I was built as a stupa to house sacred relics of Buddha. What monument am I?
A: Ruwanwelisaya
Q: I am an ancient cave temple complex carved out of a giant granite hill more than 2000 years ago. What site am I?
A: Dambulla cave temple
Q: I am an ancient kingdom located in Sri Lanka that is described in the Hindu epic Ramayana ruled by a mythical king called Ravana. What kingdom am I?
A: Kingdom of Lanka
Q: We were a South Indian Tamil dynasty that ruled over parts of Sri Lanka from 1215 AD to 1619 AD. Who are we?
A: Jaffna kingdom
Q: Originally built in the 16th century by Portuguese colonists, I am a UNESCO world heritage site located in the city of Colombo featuring Dutch-influenced architecture. What site am I?
A: Colombo Dutch Hospital
Cultural Riddles
Q: We are colorful cylinders filled with firecrackers paraded during religious festivals and celebrations in Sri Lanka. What are we called?
A: Kavadi
Q: I am a traditional form of Sri Lankan poetry combining elements of both poetry and musical drama. What poetic art form am I?
A: Kavi
Q: We are a traditional Sri Lankan folk drama combining dance, masked drama, and music. What type of drama are we?
A: Kolam
Q: Performed during harvest festivals in Sri Lanka, I showcase folk stories through elaborated costumes, dance, and drums. What dance style am I?
A: Kandyan Dance
Q: We are traditional Sri Lankan hand drums used to accompany the Kandyan dance. What are we called?
A: Geta beraya
Animal Riddles
Q: I am Sri Lanka’s largest land mammal known for my characteristic tusks. I can weigh over 5 tons. What animal am I?
A: Sri Lankan elephant
Q: With my richly colored fur and a musky smell, I am the largest carnivore in Sri Lanka. I am an apex predator found in Yala National Park. What animal am I?
A: Leopard
Q: I am an endangered Sri Lankan primate named after my reddish-brown fur. I have a black face and long limbs. What type of langur am I?
A: Purple-faced langur
Q: With my slim body and long snout, I am Sri Lanka’s only aardwolf species. I primarily eat insects. What am I?
A: Indian aardwolf
Q: I am a large greenish bird endemic to Sri Lanka featuring a characteristic black head and long curved beak. What endangered bird am I?
A: Sri Lanka green-billed coucal
Plant Riddles
Q: Locally known as the “Fountain Tree”, I am the national tree of Sri Lanka. With my distinctive red flowers, I tower over the island’s forests. What tree am I?
A: Asian Palmyra Palm
Q: With my long spiky leaves resembling a pineapple plant, I am a fiber crop native to Sri Lanka used to make products like coir. What plant am I?
A: Coconut Palm
Q: Known as the “Tea Tree”, I am a tropical evergreen shrub whose leaves are processed to produce tea. I am commercially grown across hill country estates in Sri Lanka. What plant am I?
A: Camellia sinensis
Q: Grown across home gardens in Sri Lanka, I am a tropical tree bearing an edible fruit with a distinct aroma. What fruit tree am I?
A: Mango Tree
Q: I am a tropical vine native to Sri Lanka valued for its fruit juice. My fruit has a hard green skin which turns yellow when ripe. What plant am I?
A: Passion Fruit
Food Riddles
Q: I am a popular Sri Lankan rice pancake made of rice flour and coconut milk which can be eaten as a snack or breakfast item. What am I?
A: Hoppers
Q: I am a coconut milk based Sri Lankan curry usually containing chicken, beef or fish along with vegetables like pumpkin and greens. What curry am I?
A: Pol sambol
Q: A tasty Sri Lankan delicacy, I am a deep-fried snack made of flour, coconut, and treacle shaped into a spiral. What am I?
A: Una vaya
Q: I am a traditional sweet dessert from Sri Lanka made of rice flour, treacle, and coconut milk. My name comes from the moulds of small birds used to shape me. What sweet dish am I?
A: Wattalapam
Q: A popular Sri Lankan breakfast item, I am a mild lentil and coconut milk-based dish usually served along with hoppers or string hoppers. What am I called?
A: Dal curry
Conclusion
The wide range of riddles here showcase some of the rich aspects of Sri Lankan culture, history, wildlife, cuisine and landscape. Solving them allows for deeper insight into this beautiful island country. The interesting brainteasers can also be used educationally to spark curiosity in kids about the country and its offerings. Sri Lanka has lots more intriguing mysteries so if these riddles set your mind ticking, a visit there will surely uncover even more delightful surprises.
