Sri Lanka, an island off the south-eastern coast of India, has been described as a mosaic, a multitude of different experiences which Mark Twain once said were "all harmonious, all in perfect taste".

Although it is better known for its bustling commercial capital of Colombo, Sri Lanka's multi-faceted tourism landscape holds many attractions for tourists:

Safari destinations

The diversity of climates and topography within this small island allows one to choose between the scenic Horton Plains National Park in the centre of the country and the dry, wildlife-rich Yala National Park in the south-east.

Horton Plains is an open, wind-swept and often chilly plateau covering some 3,160ha and located more than 1,980m above sea level. It offers views of the country's second and third highest peaks - Mount Kkirigalpotta to the west and Mount Totupolakanda to the north.

Horton Plains is home to leopards, Sambar deer, Sri Lanka's unique purple-faced Langur, or Bear Monkey, and notably the Rhino-horned Lizard. Birds that are unique to the island include the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie, the White-eye and the Wood Pigeon.

Two to three hours' drive away is Yala, also known as Ruhuna National Park. It is easy to spot the wildlife here - it is quite possible to see substantial herds of elephants, leopards, a sloth bear or two, deer, buffaloes, monkeys, mongooses, jackals and even crocodiles.

A Department of Wildlife Conservation permit is needed to enter any national park area. The permit alone costs about US$13.80 (S$23) and a US$32 package includes a jeep and a levy to help the government's Wildlife Conservation Fund.

Beaches

Sri Lanka has over 1,000km of sandy beaches. From October to April, beach fans can head for two premier surf beaches off Hikkaduwa and Mirissa on the country's south-west coast.

Hikkaduwa, situated 100km south of Colombo, is Sri Lanka's most popular beach resort, famed for its surf and coral reefs as well as its wide range of accommodation, food and shopping. Surf breaking near the reefs at some spots can produce waves up to 2m high during the monsoon. Surfing enthusiasts head for Wewala, while the adjacent village of Nnarigama is ideal for swimming and sunbathing.

From May to September, when it is dry and calm on the east coast, head to Trincomalee in the north-east or to are the cinnamon sands and clear blue skies of Aarugam Bay in the south-east, an eight-hour drive from Colombo. The international surfing community counts Arugam Bay among the top ten surf points in the world.

Trincomalee's magnificent deep harbour offers some interesting sights such as a fort and a famous Hindu temple on a rock promontory above the sea.

Ayurvedic treatments

Ayurveda, which is derived from the Sanskrit words for life (ayuh) and knowledge or science (veda), is one of the world's oldest forms of healing. Originating in India more than 3,000 years ago, ayurveda soon spread to Sri Lanka, where Sinhalese kings established treatment centres in the ancient cities of Aanuradhapura and Polonnaruwa.

A combination of herbs, diet, massage, hydrotherapy, and oil treatment is used to treat everything from stress to diabetes, migraine, asthma, arthritis and high blood pressure, in addition to helping boost the immune system and promoting a general sense of well-being.

Specialised ayurveda resorts offer a weekend stay or an extended two- to three-week sojourn, to obtain the maximum benefit from a combination of fresh air, a largely vegetarian diet, yoga, meditation and individually designed treatments.

In the cool climes of hill country, the Tree of Life Nature Rresort in Kandy has a full range of treatments that use herbs grown in the resort's extensive gardens. One such treatment involves the use of a tepid bath filled with fragrant flowers or herbs, taken after a full body massage.

Other treatments include cleansing, or detoxification, through a combination of a special detoxifying herbal compound, oil masage and sweating it out in an enclosed wooden steam bath.

Golf

Of the three international-class golf courses in Sri Lanka (www.srilankagolf.com), Golf Digests rates the Victoria Golf Club in Kandy among the top 100 most picturesque courses in the world.

The 18-hole, 6,495-yard golf course is modern and challenging and takes players through a tree-studded plain, with a breathtaking view of lush green hills in the distance.

Designed by the British golf architect Donald Steel, Victoria Golf Club is characterised by elevated tee boxes and fairways populated with distinctive Mara trees, making it an adventure and scenic spot to play and relax, all at the same time.

For more information, visit www.srilankatourism.org
 
Photos: Sri Lanka Tourist Board