Sri Lanka

Philip Briggs (www.philipbriggs.com) is one of the world's most experienced and knowledgeable guidebook writers, having been researching and writing guides for Bradt and other well-known publishers for 30 years. In 1991, he wrote the Bradt Guide to South Africa, the first such guidebook to be published internationally after the release of Nelson Mandela. Over the rest of the 1990s, Philip wrote a series of pioneering Bradt travel guides to African destinations (Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana, Rwanda) that were then - and in some cases still are - otherwise practically uncharted by the travel publishing industry. More recently, he authored the first dedicated English-language guidebook to Somaliland, as well as a new guide to The Gambia, both published by Bradt. Turning his attention now to both South America and Asia, he has written Bradt guides to Suriname and Sri Lanka. Philip spends at least four months on the road every year.

Introduction PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 History and Background History, Government and politics, Economy, National flag, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture Chapter 2 The Natural World Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation Chapter 3 Practical Information When to visit, Itineraries, Tour operators, Tourist information, Red tape, Getting there and away, Security and safety, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette Chapter 4 Health and Safety Preparations, Common medical problems, Other safety concerns PART 2 COLOMBO AND SURROUNDS Chapter 5 Colombo History, Orientation, Getting there and away, Getting around, Crime and safety, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Bars and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Muthurajawela Wetland Sanctuary Chapter 6 The Coast from Negombo to Kalpitiya Negombo, Waikkal, Chilaw and surrounds, Puttalam, The Kalpitiya Peninsula Chapter 7 Inland of Colombo The A1 towards Kandy and Kurunegala, Kurunegala and surrounds, Avissawella and the Kelani Valley Railway Chapter 8 The Western Resort Coast: Bentota, Kosgoda and Hikkaduwa Kalutara and surrounds, Bentota and surrounds, The coast from Kosgoda to Ambalangoda and Madu Wetlands, Hikkaduwa, PART 3 THE CULTURAL TRIANGLE Chapter 9 Dambulla, Sigiriya and Surrounds Dambulla, Historic sites south and west of Dambulla, Sigiriya, Habarana, The elephant parks: Minneriya, Kaudulla and Hurulu Chapter 10 Polonnaruwa History, Orientation, Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, Tour operators and bicycle hire, What to see and do, Around Polonnaruwa Chapter 11 Anuradhapura and Surrounds History, Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Mihintale Monastery, Thanthirimale Temple, Wilpattu National Park PART 4 NORTHERN AND EASTERN PROVINCES Chapter 12 Northern Province Mannar Island, Jaffna Chapter 13 Eastern Province When to visit, Further information, Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Batticaloa, Ampara and Gal Oya National Park, Arugam Bay PART 5 KANDY AND THE HILL COUNTRY Chapter 14 Kandy and Surrounds History, Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Mahiyanganaya and surrounds Chapter 15 High Hill Country: Adam's Peak, Nuwara Eliya and Ella, Hatton, Adam's Peak and Nallathanniya, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, Haputale, Bandarawela, Ella Chapter 16, Low Hill Country: Kitulgala, Ratnapura and Sinharaja Kitulgala, Ratnapura, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Kanneliya Forest Reserve PART 6 GALLE AND THE DEEP SOUTH Chapter 17 Tissamaharama and the Southern Safari Circuit Embilipitiya, Udawalawe National Park, Wellawaya, Buttala, Kataragama, Tissamaharama, Kirinda, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, Hambantota Chapter 18, The Southern Resort Coast: Tangalle, Matara and Weligama Bay Tangalle, Towards Matara, Matara and surrounds, Mirissa, Weligama and Midigama Chapter 19, Galle and Surrounds History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Unawatuna and the Rumassala Peninsula, The coast east to Koggala Appendix 1 Language Appendix 2 Glossaries General glossary, Annotated glossary of key historical, legendary and mythical figures Appendix 3 Further information Index