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Leopards, Long Island Iced Tea and a whole lot of lounging around.
For a small island, Sri Lanka has many nicknames: Serendib, Ceylon, Teardrop of India, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient. This colourful collection reveals its richness and beauty, and the intensity of the affection it evokes in its visitors.
The beach thing may be a cliche, but don't miss them. Then head to the hills to cool off amidst tea plantations and ancient cities. The island teems with bird life, and even the occasional elephant or leopard. To top it all off, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and costs are low.
Fighting between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE (Tamil Tiger) faction means that the north and east of the country are particularly dangerous. Areas north of a line following the highway from Puttalam through Anuradhapura to Trincomalee, and east down to Batticaloa are unsafe for travellers as are the eastern areas around Ampara and Arugam Bay. Any travel to these areas should be reconsidered. The security situation in the Jaffna Peninsula remains very uncertain. Parts of these northern and eastern areas are heavily mined.
For further updates check this Safe Travel site.
The rest of the country remains at some risk of attack. The capital, Colombo, has experienced a number of bombings. Travellers should exercise a high level of caution, monitor local news sources and heed any local warnings regarding safety.
