I’m here now. Currently in Ella. It’s raining. HARD. So far we’ve travelled around in the last week (with two remaining) on trains and buses and stayed in cheap accomm. As we always do when visiting countries. Sri Lanka has been good so far and the only place we struggled to find a room was Sigiriya. We turned up at 2000 and most of the hotels and guesthouses were full. Booked in advance. Everyone is helpful and we got a room, basic and clean, 500m from the village for 2500 rupees. Approx 12.50. That included me and the missus getting driven to the Sigiriya/Great Rock ticket office on the owners motorbike 3s up.
Yes, you can achieve what you want still in Sri Lanka. Although the worlds a big place and if you’ve been before then maybe try somewhere else. Over the last 3 years the missus and I have done Vietnam (1 month) Cambodia & Laos (1 month), Mexico, Belize and Guatemala (1 month). All of which were excellent and have what you’re looking for. Cheap, exciting, independent travel.
Drop me an email if you want any specifics.