CAPITAL COLOMBO - POPULATION 23 MILLION - AREA 65,640 SQ KM -OFFICIAL LANGUAGES SINHALA, TAMIL
Life's been hard to Sri Lanka of late. The fight between the Tamils and the majority Sinhalese, which has plagued the island for three decades, continues to surface, most recently is bombings that left dozens of civilians dead. For a long time, fighting was confined to the north and east coasts – but if attacks escalate in Colombo, travellers will start to stay away from the hot spots of the south coast too. Should things quieten down, 2009 will be a terrific year to visit, with its uncrowded beaches and ancient sites in which to wander in peace. Don't miss the Kandy Esala Perahera if you're here during July, 10 days of the country's biggest and most colourful festival.
RUHUNA YALA NATIONAL PARK, SRI LANKA
Maybe it's the added fizz of adrenaline from being out in the wild together, but there's always been a whiff of romance about wildlife safaris. In the south of Sri Lanka, this national park boasts some of the best leopard-spotting in the world, as well as a wealth of other animal and birdlife. For extra relationship brownie points, don’t forget to woo your partner with Ruhuna Yala's own happy-ever-after legend. This is where Kaayantissa, King of Ruhuna, first met and fell in love with the Princess Vihara Maha Devi after he found her, washed up ashore, having bravely sacrificed herself for her people. |
