Posted 30 Sep 2009

Although it is a country with a turbulent past, Sri Lanka‘s interior wrangles have increasingly settled within the last year, prompting the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office to lift its warnings on various areas of the country.

Following this, it appears that its popularity has started to soar, as the country’s Tourist Promotion Bureau has reported a 16.9 per cent rise in the number of Brits holidaying, visiting or taking a gap year in Sri Lanka in August, compared to the same time in 2008.

According to the bureau’s figures, it also saw a 32 per cent increase in international visitors during the month and advanced bookings also indicate that the destination’s popularity is set to continue.

Director of UK tourism in the country Sanjika Perara stated: "We are delighted that people have chosen to visit over the last few months showing the renewed confidence in Sri Lanka as a safe and value for money destination."

These developments come after Xinhua Net quoted Sri Lankan minister Mahinda Samarasinghe as stating that the government is working towards the better development of its human rights policies.

Category: Asia