Sri Lanka welcomes record numbers of tourists

Sri Lanka is welcoming record numbers of visitors as it recovers from decades of conflict. Last month tourism arrivals surged to a record high of 48% ahead of the previous year.

Before Christmas, the country announced it was moving on from the devastation of the 2004 tsunami and civil war and re launching itself as a tourist destination. Since then, a range of new hotels and accommodation have opened across the island.

Meanwhile, three wildlife parks have opened up providing the traveller with bite sized safaris. Wilpattu - the largest nature reserve in Sri Lanka - has also reopened to the public, located 176 km north of the capital Colombo.