Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, a magical island not far from the southern tip of India has enchanted travellers and merchants since ancient times. Marco Polo the 13th century Venetian explorer described the country then known as Ceylon as being of the highest quality and most pleasing island in the world. Sri Lanka has had its share of travails over the years. A 26 year civil war which finally ended in 2009 with the defeat of the 'Tamil Tiger' rebels, a devastating tsunami on boxing day in 2004, two armed insurrections and a governance system since independence from the British Empire in 1948 that has not been able to extract the true potential of the land and its resourceful people. The country lacks economic development, a 21st century infrastructure, adequate foreign currency reserves and a comfortable standard of living for a majority of its citizens. Poverty is widespread and growing. Sri Lanka needs to attract investment, both foreign and local. Tourism is one way forward due to the island's beauty, wildlife and culture.

For a nation the size of Sri Lanka, a mere teardrop of an island there has been many firsts:

• The first female Prime Minister in the world
• The first government to militarily defeat a terrorist organisation and end a civil war
• Highest innings total in test match cricket
• A member of a previous armed insurgent revolutionary group elected as the President of the country.

It must be remembered that Sri Lanka gained independence just 76 years ago.

So much has changed and yet so much has remained the same. It is said that the British who were its last colonial ruler had a special fondness for the country. They bequeathed to its people a democratic society, an interest in cricket and beautiful tea plantations. This spectacular industry came about due to the hard work and enterprise of individual proprietary planters from which the company organisation emerged around the time of the first world war. Ceylon, as the island was then called, also grows the finest cinnamon in the world and its blue sapphires are world renowned.

It is a fascinating country with great potential and encouraging prospects.

My book is intended to pique the curiosity of modern-day travellers who would enjoy the many aspects of this diverse and interesting island nation which has so much to offer. Tourists can enjoy the many attractions and historic wonders of this resplendent isle, delve into its culture and ancient past and savour the nostalgia of Sri Lanka's tea industry and lifestyle of the planters in an era gone by. The people of this enchanting yet troubled island deserve the prosperity and happiness which has eluded them so far.