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Lanka beckons

High on options, easy on the pocket, that's what makes Sri Lanka a hot spot on the tourism circuit

They say floods make the soil fertile. In Sri Lanka's case the tsunami has left a fertile effect on its tourism industry. Says Sharuka Wickrama-Adittya, Area Manager, Sri Lankan Airlines, "The tsunami exposed Sri Lanka to the world. Within no time everybody came to know about Lanka's location and its strength as a tourist destination. The devastation made the workforce all the more motivated to recover quickly. The result is all the tourist spots are back to normal."

Sharuka is upbeat about the emergence of Sri Lankan Arilines as one of the premier airlines. In its 25th year of operation, the airline flies to 49 destinations in 28 countries. In India alone it touches 10 spots. In 2004, the U.K.'s Skytrax Research voted it the best airline in Central Asia. It is the first airline in South Asia to order the Airbus A330-200 "We have introduced air taxi services, which cover 14 destinations. The fleet includes amphibian aircrafts that land on water. Then, one-ticket flight coupons save the time of the tourists."

Variety on offer

Sharuka says Sri Lanka has variety to offer. "We have unblemished beaches. The good thing is it doesn't take more than four-five hours from the mainland to reach the beaches. There are plenty of opportunities for adventure sports like white water rafting and eco-holidays in places like Arumgambay. One can hire bikes or opt for camping."

Sharuka says the attractive conversion rate makes Sri Lanka a shopper's paradise. "Most big brands are here. It's a huge attraction for Indian tourists. They get an international holiday at economical pricing. Sri Lankan gemstones are said to be used in the Taj Mahal. Then there are casinos and golf courses to absorb the tourists." For those looking for heritage, Sharuka suggests Ramayana spots like Thotupola where Ravana kept Sita.

"There are many Buddhist sites worth visiting as well. For those looking for wilderness, there are tea gardens and reserved forest areas. Recently Discovery Channel shot a documentary on leopards."

Talking about the security, Sharuka says the airlines carry out all the mandatory security checks. "Only a small portion of the country is infested with the terror group."

ANUJ KUMAR

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