SRI Lanka makes the news regularly for the fighting between its army and rebels seeking to set up their own state.

However, checks with three airlines that fly between Singapore and Colombo reveal that they fill up 75 per cent of the seats.

Seasoned travellers say life goes on normally in the capital and the southern part of the country even though the sight of gun-toting soldiers is common.

The distractions for visitors are many, from idyllic beaches to tea trails to religious sites.

Read the full story in Life! in Tuesday's editon of The Straits Times.