The Elite Guide to Sri Lanka A Visual and Cultural Odyssey by Eshan Goonesekera

Even in this digital age, there’s something timeless about holding a beautiful book filled with stories, images, and the spirit of a place. It becomes part of your journey

 British-Sri Lankan photographer and author Eshan Goonesekera recently released a new edition of The Elite Guide to Sri Lanka, a visually rich travel guide which offers an immersive journey through the island’s fascinating cultural and historical sites. Goonesekera first launched the guide in 2013, and the recent updated edition reflects Goonesekera’s deepened research and exploration across Sri Lanka’s lesser-known regions, making it an essential companion for travellers and locals alike.

A professional photographer with a lifelong passion for Sri Lanka, Goonesekera began documenting his travels across the island over the past three decades. The guide is a natural extension of his visual archive—each of the 70-plus featured locations is personally photographed by him, showcasing not just the country’s natural beauty, but also its spiritual and historical depth.
This new edition goes far beyond conventional tourist routes. While previous versions covered popular destinations, the latest guide ventures further, revealing sacred temples, ancient ruins, remote beaches, and mysterious archaeological wonders such as the Sakwala Chakraya—an enigmatic stone carving near Tissa Wewa, long speculated to be a cosmological chart or even a “stargate” used by ancient civilizations.
Goonesekera’s meticulous research is rooted in a broader literary endeavour. In 2010, he authored a novel set during Sri Lanka’s civil war, which required extensive study of the island’s history, Buddhism, and culture. This knowledge provided a rich foundation for the guide, which took nine months to compile in its latest form.
The Elite Guide features an impressive lineup of cultural landmarks including Ritigala Forest Monastery, Yapahuwa, Medirigiriya, Nalanda Gedige, Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs, Aluvihare Rock Temple, and Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara. It spans the entire island—north to south, east to west—making it one of the most comprehensive travel anthologies dedicated to Sri Lanka’s 2,500-year heritage.
Unlike many foreign-produced guides, Goonesekera’s work is grounded in firsthand experience. “Some writers seem not to have visited the places they describe,” he notes. “They often miss the essence of our culture. With my photography and on-the-ground exploration, I aim to capture that spirit.”
The guide is available in two formats: a full-sized A5 paperback that highlights the stunning visuals, and a compact pocket edition ideal for travellers on the move. Both versions include identical content, designed to cater to varied travel styles—from luxury seekers to backpackers.
Though originally aimed at tourists planning their trips, the guide has found a wider audience among Sri Lankans and expats eager to rediscover their homeland. “It’s a wonderful resource for school children, families, and even those who think they know Sri Lanka well,” says Goonesekera. “In an age of digital saturation, a printed book still holds enduring value. Like the Ola leaves of ancient times, it preserves knowledge for future generations.”
In addition to the book, Goonesekera has launched a complementary range of postcards and panoramic postcards, which, like the guide, are widely available in Sri Lanka through outlets such as Odel, Barefoot, Sarasavi, Laksala, Lakarcade, and Tuktuk Rental, and internationally via Waterstones and Amazon.
Sales of both the guide and postcards have been encouraging, reaffirming the lasting appeal of tangible travel keepsakes. As Goonesekera puts it, “Even in this digital age, there’s something timeless about holding a beautiful book filled with stories, images, and the spirit of a place. It becomes part of your journey.”