MARINE SANCTUARIES

Sri Lanka's coral reefs radiate a vibrant panorama among her picturesque ecological assets, while adding colour to its aquatic environs, corals have also proved to have their variegated scientific uses.However, due to a multitude of development activities by man, these coral reefs were recently found to be in a degraded state. In order to circumvent these hazards, two of Sri Lanka's premier coral reefs - HIKKADUWA and the BARRIER REEF, north of Kalpitiya have been declared as Marine Sanctuaries. Hikkaduwa was declared as a Marine Sanctuary in 1979, followed by the Barrier Reef in 1992, in accordance with the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance. This would actively inhibit wanton destruction. Therefore, only planned activities are permitted with the prior permission of the Department of Wildlife. (The activities of the Department of Wildlife are not restricted to terrestrial habitats, but includes aquatic environments too). Sri Lanka has three types of reefs. They are reefs, sandstone reefs and rocky reefs. Most are fringing reefs while there are a few barrier types reefs in the North Western coast. The former is restricted to a near shore area, while the latter expands to around six ton eight kilometers away from the shore. The Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary is situated around 96 kms south west of Colombo. It is equipped with a 1.5 km stretch of beach protected by fringing coral reefs running parallel to the coast line 100 - 150 metres off shore. The reef offers fascinatingly beautiful corals and fish, in addition to emerging as a popular bathing and swimming area.The reefs support five species of angel - fish and twelve species of butterfly fish. These fish feed on coral tentacles and coral polyps. Statistics from the Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary have revealed that 18.2% of the lagoon area has live hard coral cover, 8.19% of coral rubble and 28.9% of dead corals. In this area, traditional fishing types such as angling and the use of nets are prevalent. The Barrier Reef constitutes around 90% of live coral cover. A very high bio-diversity is characteristic of this reef with over 200 species of reef fish and 80 species of corals. A grand total of 25 species of butterfly - fish have also been recorded at this reef. Spinner Dolphins - Stennela Longirostis are encountered seaward of the coral patches. Bottle-nose Dolphins- Turiops Trunctus are found in the Puttalam lagoon between the months of May and December . Sea turtles too have been found in this coral reef. A mushroom coral - Zoophilus Edinatus was detected in this area which makes it the first in the Indian Ocean.

The benefits of coral reefs lie in the scientific and educational values along with their extractive and non extractive uses. While they represent a dominant part of Sri Lanka's cultural and geographical heritage, marine biologists consider that they are among the most productive of all aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Marine biologists have shown that coral reefs, tropical sea grass beds and algal communities have productivity rates far in excess of field grasses & coniferous woodlands. An obvious outcome of coral reefs is the high productivity and ample fish life. Marine scientists have estimated that the world's fisheries potential to be around 9% of the total fish landings.Coral reefs are vital to nations which have fisheries and fishery industries and there is ample evidence to substantiate this fact from the Indo - Pacific region itself. Reef fish constitute around 25% of the total fish market landings in Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.

There have been numerous instances where coral reefs have acted as buffer - zones by taking on the full impact of waves, dissipating energy and blocking currents which could otherwise lead to sea erosion. In this manner, coral reefs protect valuable coast land from being eroded away. In the Indian Ocean, around 77% of the isolated land has been washed away due to corals being removed from the limestone.It is increasingly evident that the coral reef dwelling organizations such as sea - fans and other invertebrates produce biologically active chemicals which produce antibiotic, and-coagulant and anti-leukaemic properties. The science of marine pharmacology is still at its infancy and coral reefs would prove to be an ideal source of medically important compounds in the near future. The most recent development is the use of coral skeletons of dome shaped corals for bone grafts. It Is said that the blood vessels easily develop through the porous skeletons of corals.It is prudent that the general public understand and appreciate the value of Sri Lanka's inherent natural resources in order to safe guard the pristine glory of these marine sanctuaries at Hikkaduwa and Kalpitiya.

Hotels in here

The leading class of accommodations in Sri Lanka is the five star hotels. These hotels are located in the major cities of Sri Lanka such as Colombo, Kandy and Bentota. The most advantageous point of these hotels is that they are located close to the major business and entertainment districts of the town and offer tailor-made facilities and services. Whether you are traveling for the purpose of business or leisure, these hotels will make for excellent base to spend some quality time. The guestrooms have luxurious amenities including air-conditioning, IDD facility, channel music, and satellite TV. The facilities comprise Babysitting, Beauty parlor / Hair salon, Car hire service, Currency exchange, Doctor-on-call, Express Travel assistance, Bookshop, Fitness Centre, Massage, Shopping arcade, Souvenir shop, Swimming pool, Squash, Tennis, Business Centre, Secretarial services and Workstation.

Ancient cities of Sri Lanka

The historical landmarks are among the best known tourist attractions in Sri Lanka and some of the notable ones are - Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Sigiriya, Dambula and Aluvihara. Anuradhapura is the first capital of Sri Lanka and remained a strong symbol of Sinhalese supremacy and features a number of monuments and historic buildings that continue to enthrall tourists from all over the world.

Shopping

Shopping in Sri Lanka can take many forms: haggling with a handicraft-seller while sunbathing on the beach; choosing fruit from the traditional village store, the kadé, while side-stepping sacks of rice; or checking out the bargain-priced latest international fashions (Sri Lanka is a major garment exporter) while enjoying the ambience of a luxurious shopping centre in Colombo. And there’s much inbetween. Visit a handicraft shop and familiarize yourself with traditional designs such as makara (a mythical animal, lion, swan, elephant and lotus which are most evident in brasswork (boxes, trays, lanterns, vases) and silverware (ornately carved and filigree jewellery, tea-sets) that make excellent souvenirs. In addition, ritual masks, lacquer ware, batik and handloom textiles, lace, and wood carvings are popular.

Last but certainly not least, Sri Lanka has the widest variety of precious stones among the world’s gem producing countries - blue sapphires, star sapphires, rubies, cat’s eye, garnets, moonstones, aquamarines and topazes being just a dazzling handful. What’s more, Sri Lanka naturally has a tradition in jewellery-making, so you can bring your gems to life.

World cup coming home ( The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup)

With Sri Lanka co-hosting the 2011 Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka Tourism plans to promote new structural development and upgrade existing accommodation facilities and related infrastructure in a bid to host ICC officials, players and spectators in Hambantota. ICC Guidelines require venues to have basic requirements such as 5 star accommodation facilities, sufficient accommodation for 500- 1000 players, officials and spectators, and a maximum travel time of 15 minutes from hotel to venue. The tournament is the world's third largest sporting event. Media reports estimate that over 200 million people from the cricket-playing countries as well as cricket-enthusiasts from non-cricket-playing countries.
watch these matches.

Sri Lanka Tourism is planning to promote the country and its attractions during the 2011 World Cup, scheduled to be held in February and March 2011. With Sri Lanka co-hosting the 2011 Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka Tourism plans to promote new structural development and upgrade existing accommodation facilities and related infrastructure in a bid to host ICC officials, players and spectators in Hambantota.
For more information contact                   http://www.sltda.lk/srilanka_cricket 

Tourist arrivals up by 44%

Tourist arrivals increased by 44 percent upto September.
Up to end of last month a total of 445,228 tourists visited Sri Lanka. This clearly indicates that Sri Lanka is heading for a record year of arrivals by the end of this year.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has announced 2011 as 'Visit Sri Lanka Year' and with intensified marketing campaign involving all foreign missions.
This is also a clear indication that Sri Lanka can achieve 2.5 million tourist arrivals by 2016.
One of the notable features of the arrival pattern of September was the increase of British tourists. For the first time this year UK tourist arrivals (8,904) exceeded the Indian arrivals (8,864) which were the leading market for a long period.
"This is a very healthy development as British tourists are high spending and also long stayers," said Director General Sri Lanka Tourism, S. Kaleselvam.
The overall European arrivals increased from 13,027 to 18,599 in September as against the previous year and became the number one destination for Sri Lanka.
With the promotions made by the USA High Commission there is also a 32 percent increase in arrivals from USA which is also a very healthy development.
"There had been also a very positive response from both foreign and local investors to set up luxury resorts in the Kalpitiya Integrated Tourism Project. Two properties have already commenced construction and negotiations are under way to finalise the lease of the other islands," Kaleselvam said.

In addition, more up market properties are being built in Arugambay, Trincomalee and in Jaffna.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are one of the most fascinating of natural phenomena. The mesmerizing sight of free-falling water, the thunderous roar as it hits the rocks below, and the curiousity of what lies behind the aqueous curtain, all contribute to this fascination.
In comparison to its size, Sri Lanka has a surprising abundance of many things, including waterfalls . about 100, but there may be some undiscovered. Many of these waterfalls are of impressive height, the tallest being Bambarakanda, which is 263m. Even if they aren't, they are usually distinctive for some reason or another.

East Coast Arugam Bay (315km east of Colombo)

Arugam village is situated in the bay of the same name on one of the nicest stretches of the south east coast with many miles of pristine beaches, It was once occupied by the Dutch as a military post and had a small mud fort. For the past quarter-century, however, it has been seasonally occupied by cosmopolitan surfers attracted by the waves and discerning travellers who appreciate the splendour of its isolation.

The curved sandy bay is wide and long. There are no big hotel complexes towering over the beach, which at many places is lined with a multitude of brightly coloured fishing boats. That there are empty spaces between restaurants and guesthouses is striking when you have been used to seeing how crowded and developed most west and southern coast beach spots are.

During May to October, which is dry season on the east coast, the bay becomes safe for swimming, and best for surfing. There are some beautiful coral reefs and an unbelievable number of tropical fish to be seen in and around the area where the best snorkelling, on a calm day, is on the southern tip of the bay.

There are no dive shops in Arugam Bay but you may be able to organize a tour with qualified PADI instructor in advance. There are some Dutch and Portuguese shipwrecks to explore that are home to a wide variety of marine life.

Of course surfing IS Arugam Bay, and the area offers a variety of right-hand point breaks that delight even the most experienced surfers. Access to surfing spots can be arranged from guesthouses where you will also be able to hire surfboards if you don’t have your own.

Two kilometres from Arugam Bay is the beautiful mangrove ecosystem of the Pottuvil Lagoon. The tour, by traditional outrigger canoe, lasts two hours and lets you get very close to the abundance of wildlife the mangrove has to offer.

There are two national parks close to Arugam Bay. Lahugala is 12km from Pottuvil - you will probably pass through it on your way to Arugam Bay. Here you can see very large herds of elephants at dawn or at sunset. Yala East, 25km away, also contains elephants and some leopards. To the north-east of the park you can visit Kumana Bird Sanctuary.

Near Pottuvil Point in the jungle is the Magul Maha Viharaya, a 2,000-year-old Buddhist temple that was reconstructed in the 14th century and contains ruins that include a palace and a monastery.

Deer

Sri Lanka.s forests abound with an assortment of other furry, scaled and feathered creatures. There are five species of deer, ranging from the diminutive mouse deer - just 30cm in height and armed with elongated canine teeth - to the sambhar, a large species in which the bull grows impressive antlers. The latter are best seen in the high, open area surrounding Horton Plains, where they gather in the evenings to feed on the long grasses.

Elephants

In September, towards the end of the dry season, most water sources have disappeared. The Minneriya tank, however, retains water throughout the parched months, so there are elephant gatherings here every year at this time, the number of these gentle, charismatic giants sometimes exceeding 300. To see so many together - playing, eating, swimming, looking for mates - is nothing but breathtaking.
Elephants may be the most celebrated of Sri Lanka.s diverse wildlife, but they represent just one actor on a crowded ecological stage. For instance, this is one of the best places in the world to see the elusive leopard, and one of the only places where this big cat is top predator . the king of the Sri Lankan jungle. With striking markings, a sleek, powerful body, and graceful movements, the leopard is thrilling to observe . try Yala National Park in the south-east coastal arid zone.

Whale Watching

Above the waterline whales breach the surface, offering tantalizing glimpses or longer, lingering views. To stare into the eye of one of these mysterious, huge animals is to look back to the beginning of time. Blue whales, the largest animal on the planet, are seen off south coast Mirissa from November to May, as are Humpback and Sperm whales, while on the north-west coast, off Kalpitiya peninsula, dolphins by the score cut through the brilliant blue sea, leaping, spinning, frolicking . . .

Green side of Colombo

Colombo was once considered a garden city, one of the most verdant in the East. Even today, if you get the opportunity of seeing the capital from the air, you will be surprised by the pockets of green that still exist despite the tide of development. So here is a guide as to where to experience green Colombo and, as importantly, what to look for there.
If you live in Colombo, when was the last time you strolled unhurriedly the length of a side road, pausing to listen for birdcalls, trace the unpredictable path of a butterfly’s flutter, or admire the colourful variety of the trees? When was the last time you walked, rather than drove, between nearby destinations, choosing to enjoy some of the green with which Colombo is graced? When was the last time, faced with a moment of leisure, you escaped to an outdoor urban retreat and fantasised about a Colombo cooled by shade trees, softened by the singing of birds and mellowed by a peppering of clean parks, safe recreation areas for children, and perhaps even lakeside esplanades? Because few people opt for walking there isn’t the realization of how much nature Colombo actually does have to offer the resident and visitor, and how easily accessible its flora and fauna are. Today, the streets of Colombo are not places in which people often idle. Nevertheless, havens do exist, most of them tantalisingly tranquil, where the ecologically aware can indulge their senses and be amply rewarded .

Royal City of Kandy

Nestled in lush green hills and built around a scenic lake, the Royal City of Kandy, at 500m above sea level, is the hub of any visit to the hill country. Kandy (Colombo 116km) a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the last bastion of resistance to colonial rule. Even today, Kandyans pride themselves on their distinctive architecture, music, dance and art. The showpiece of the city is the Dalada Maligawa or Temple of the Tooth, which hosts the Buddha’s tooth relic, an item of veneration to all Buddhists. Each year, in July or August, the city holds the Esala Perahera, a spectacular procession and display of medieval pageantry - replete with caparisoned elephants, whirling fire-dancers and pulsating drummers - the main purpose of which is to parade the tooth relic. Strolling around the lake or exploring the numerous temples that dot the hills nearby is an ideal way to experience the atmosphere of this historic city.

Hill country

Mist-shrouded mountains, rolling tea plantations, cascading waterfalls and quaint hilltop villages - these are some of the aspects of the enchanting hill country, which rises to over 2,500m in the island’s central heartland. A 125km distance by car or rail from Colombo, this region offers you the chance to escape to a world that scarcely seems possible in the tropics. With surreal landscapes, cool climes and a rich heritage, the hill country is a haven for nature lovers, hikers, adventure-seekers and those simply in search of peace and tranquility.

Whether you want to go rock climbing, fish for trout, play golf in stunning natural surroundings, climb a sacred mountain or trek through the rugged wilderness, the beguiling hill country has it all and will reinvigorate the body and refresh the soul. No wonder the hill country is a small miracle.