The northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka are currently areas of violent conflict between the government and the Tamil Tigers. The danger precludes any possibility of vacationing there, and other areas of the country are also at risk of attack. That being said, here are some of the features of Sri Lanka that draw travelers when times are peaceful.
Sri Lanka is a tropical island with mountains in the south-central region. 1000 miles of beaches ring the island, and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lap at its shores. Diving is popular due to the presence of underwater shipwrecks and coral reefs offshore. There are numerous resorts, along with opportunities for water-skiing, whale watching and windsurfing. In national parks, elephants, wild boars and monkeys enjoy protected status. Buddhist temples adorn the landscape. The capital of Sri Lanka is Colombo, a bustling city where festivals of the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim religions dot the calendar. The National Museum houses exhibits of antiques, paintings, masks and sculptures, and the Sapumal Foundation displays the finest of Sri Lankan art dating back to the 1920’s.
