List of beaches in Sri Lanka

Negombo

A fishing town located 35km from Colombo and 6 km from island's main International Airport. The beauty of the beach and surrounding star class hotels gave more attraction of tourists. [cite web|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Negombo.html|title=Negombo|work=The Columbia Encyclopedia|publisher=Columbia University Press|accessdate=2008-06-19]

= Mount Lavinia =

The place located 12 km from Colombo is a historical city from British colonial period. The Governors House of Sir Thomas Maitland, built in 1805, has become a star class hotel today. The fantastic beach is crowded on holidays with local people who enjoy the beach sports activities such as swimming and surfing. [cite web|url=http://encarta.msn.com/media_121623964/Mount_Lavinia_Beach_Sri_Lanka.html|title=Mount Lavinia Beach, Sri Lanka|work=MSN Encarta|accessdate=2008-06-03] [cite web|url=http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/INTERACTIVE/travel-site/mtlavinia.html|title=Mt. Lavinia Hotel|work=cricinfo.com|accessdate=2008-06-03]

Kalutara

The place located 42km from Colombo is important spice trading centre from Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial times. The city also named as one of the sacred city of Buddhist people in the country has large hollow dagoba (Buddhist shrine) near the River Kalu.

Beruwela

The place located 55km from Colombo is the starting point of 130km long southern coast also a main fishing centre.

Bentota

The place located in south of the country, 62km from Colombo has romantic scenery hotels and popular for wind surfing and water skiing.

Hikkaduwa

The place located in south of the country, 206km from Colombo is the first area to be developed for tourism. The famous coral reef and scuba diving gets tourist's more pleasure there.

Koggala

The place located in south of the country, from 130km from Colombo, has finest beach and historical Madol Duwa (island surrounded by lake) as mentioned in Sri Lankan literature.

Nelaveli

The place located in east of the country 120km from Colombo and 14km from Trincomalee. The natural habour and beach is one of finest in world.

Arugam Bay

The place located in south east of the country 116 km from Colombo is a fine beach near associated with fishing villages. It has been identified as the best surfing beach in Sri Lanka and 4th best in south east Asia. It also comes with the ten best surfing beaches in the world. Wide sandy beaches and lagoons associated with neighbouring Kumana bird sactuary are added values for visitores going to Arugam bay. Lahugal National Park are Yala East National Park are also located within 10-30 km radious from Arugambay cetere. Magul Maha Viharaya (buddhist temple), Kudumbigala Temple (Buddhist temple),Shastrwela Buddhist Temple, Okanda Hindu Temple are some of places with heritage values. In addition to beaches, wildlife, culture heritage and nature places of interest make Arugambay a unique tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. There is no LTTE threat in and around Arugam bay. [cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/surfing/surfing_features/sri_lanka.shtml|title=SW Surfers taste success at A-Bay|publisher=BBC News|date=28th June 2004] [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4596899.stm|title=Friends' tsunami summer aid visit |publisher=BBC News|date= 01 June, 2005]

References