Sri Lanka ready with open arms to receive tourists

With the end of Sri Lanka government's 30-year-long war with Tamil Tigers in May last year, tourist arrivals in the county have increased dramatically. The first six months of this year have registered nearly 50 percent upturn over the corresponding period last year.

Both the United Kingdom and United States have lifted the warning to their citizens to avoid the island, naming it as a risky region. It is no longer risky and now a safe area to travel, they said.

The country has a projected a target of 2. 5 million tourists by 2010. All possible action is being taken to achieve the target.

Today, the gold rush by tourists is in the east region with the most beautiful beaches in the world. There remain, however, other virgin beaches.

Green tourism with wildlife parks, mountains with salubrious climatic conditions, scenic beauty and equatorial rain forests has begun to flourish.

There is ample opportunity to those interested in history, culture and archeology. Historical sites such as Sigiriya and Anuradhapura are now attracting more and more tourists. Fun-seeking tourist is not overlooked either.

Sri Lanka is ready with open arms to receive foreign tourists in a red carpet welcome.