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.

• IntroductionPART 1 GENERAL INFORMATIONChapter 1 History and BackgroundHistory, Government and politics, Economy, National flag, People, Language, Religion, Education, CultureChapter 2 The Natural WorldGeography and climate, Natural history and conservationChapter 3 Practical InformationWhen 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 etiquetteChapter 4 Health and SafetyPreparations, Common medical problems, Other safety concernsPART 2 COLOMBO AND SURROUNDSChapter 5 ColomboHistory, 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 SanctuaryChapter 6 The Coast from Negombo to KalpitiyaNegombo, Waikkal, Chilaw and surrounds, Puttalam, The Kalpitiya PeninsulaChapter 7 Inland of ColomboThe A1 towards Kandy and Kurunegala, Kurunegala and surrounds, Avissawella and the Kelani Valley RailwayChapter 8 The Western Resort Coast: Bentota, Kosgoda and HikkaduwaKalutara 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 HuruluChapter 10 PolonnaruwaHistory, 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 PolonnaruwaChapter 11 Anuradhapura and SurroundsHistory, 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 ParkPART 4 NORTHERN AND EASTERN PROVINCESChapter 12 Northern ProvinceMannar Island, Jaffna Chapter 13 Eastern ProvinceWhen to visit, Further information, Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Batticaloa, Ampara and Gal Oya National Park, Arugam BayPART 5 KANDY AND THE HILL COUNTRYChapter 14 Kandy and SurroundsHistory, Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Mahiyanganaya and surroundsChapter 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, EllaChapter 16, Low Hill Country: Kitulgala, Ratnapura and SinharajaKitulgala, Ratnapura, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Kanneliya Forest ReservePART 6 GALLE AND THE DEEP SOUTHChapter 17 Tissamaharama and the Southern Safari CircuitEmbilipitiya, Udawalawe National Park, Wellawaya, Buttala, Kataragama, Tissamaharama, Kirinda, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, HambantotaChapter 18, The Southern Resort Coast: Tangalle, Matara and Weligama BayTangalle, Towards Matara, Matara and surrounds, Mirissa, Weligama and Midigama Chapter 19, Galle and SurroundsHistory, 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 KoggalaAppendix 1 LanguageAppendix 2 GlossariesGeneral glossary, Annotated glossary of key historical, legendary and mythical figures Appendix 3 Further informationIndex

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