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tourist attractions are focused around the islands famous beaches located in the southern and eastern parts of the country, ancient heritage sites located in the interior of the country and lush green resorts located in the mountainous regions of the country.[1][2] The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami[3] and the past civil war have reduced tourist arrivals but Sri Lanka received over half a million tourists in 2006.[4] A large majority of tourists come from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the People's Republic of China, and India. Visitor attractions
Sri Lanka is home to six world heritage sites: Galle, Kandy, Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruva, and Dambulla cave temple. Sri Lanka's many beaches are often visited by tourists. The historical city of Colombo is considered as the "Commercial capitol of Sri Lanka" which attracts many tourists from Asian region to visit for businesses. National parks in Sri Lanka are also popular visitor attractions. Tourists are also attracted to Sri Lanka by its natural beauty.
Precious stone mining
The precious stones such as rubies and sapphires frequently found in Ratnapura and its surrounding areas also a major tourist attraction in the country[5]. The tourists are interested in precious stones also can visit Adam's Peak, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Udawalawe National Park and Kitulgala (place of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" was filmed).
List of famous tourist attractions
Beaches and lagoons
- Negombo beach & lagoon
- Bentota
- Hikkaduwa coral reef
- Matara Polhena
- Unawatuna
- Nilaveli
- Arugam Bay
- Pasikudah & Kalkudah
- Batticalo beach & lagoon
Archeological Sites
- Anuradapura - Ancient Kingdom
- Sigiriya - Ancient Kingdom & fortress
- Polonnaruwa - Ancient Kingdom
- Kandy - Ancient Kingdom with temple of tooth relic
- Galle - Fortress
- Dambulla - Rock cave temple
- Maligawila - Ancient Monastery with largest statue of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka
- Yala National Park - Largest in Sri Lanka
- Udawalawe National Park - Famous for Elephant watching
- Kumana National Park - Famous for Bird watching
- Bundala National Park - Famous for Bird watching
- Wasgamuwa National Park - One most attractive national park
- Wilpattu National Park - Famous for leopards
- Minneriya National Park - Famous for Elephants
- Horton Plains National Park - Only national park in hill country and famous for sambar
Elephants
Adventure Sports
- White water rafting - Kithulgala
- Surfing - Arugam Bay
- Boating - Bentota, Bolgoda, Madhu ganga, Koggala
- Trekking - Knuckles Mountain Range
Tourism industry
The industry was effected by December 2004 Tsunami and the civil war in the country.
The International media reports published about the improvements in industry of January 2008 by 0.6%[6], March 2008 by 8.6%[7] when comparing to last year's (2007) figures.