Sri Lanka , formerly known as Ceylon , is a place where the original soul of Buddhism still flourishes and where nature’s beauty remains abundant and unspoilt and thus led to the title The Pearl of the Indian Ocean . The island offers a remarkable combination of stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, captivating cultural heritage and unique experiences within a compact location. 8 UNESCO World Heritages Sites, 1,330 kilometres of coastline, 15 national parks, nearly 500,000 acres of tea estates and 350 waterfalls all lie within a mere area of 65,610 square kilometres, to a culture that extends back to 2,500 years.

Negombo, where the conference hotel Jetwing Blue is situated, is a beautiful beach resort on the western coast of Sri Lanka , just a short drive north of the capital, Colombo and the International Airport . In earlier times, Negombo was ruled by the Dutch, Portuguese, and the British. The narrow strip of land to the south of the lagoon and the many canals make for good exploring. Due to the old world atmosphere of 17^th century churches and forts, Negombo has also gained the name little Rome . The beach here is quiet and peaceful, and the sight of the fisher folk out as sea on their oruwas (outrigger canoes) is a particularly charming sight. The Munneswaram Hindu temple is 20 kilometres away, and can be combined with a visit of the famous fish market in the seaside town of Chilaw . Equipment and facilities for water sports such as windsurfing, sailing and skiing can be provided by larger hotels.

Visa

Dozens of nationalities, including Australians, New Zealanders, North Americans and virtually all Europeans, receive a tourist visa upon entry, valid for 30 days. It is sometimes possible to obtain a visa for longer than 30 days in your home country. The latest regulations are given at www.immigration.gov.lk. Make sure your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to your country.

Health

In connection with the outbreak of influenza A (H1N1), all passengers arriving from influenza affected countries, will be asked to report to the relevant desk to record personal details and verify with the authorities at the airport. Vaccinations are recommended for Hepatitis A+B and Tetanus, also the Typhus vaccination outside of tourist areas especially in the wet season. Common tropical diseases reported in Sri Lanka are Malaria, Cholera and Dengue Fever. Use mosquito repellent during the rainy season. Malaria prophylaxis is warranted for trips to the north (especially Anuradhapura ), east, and southeast. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas. For further details please consult your travel health doctor. Visitors should avoid drinking water from the tap. It is best to stick to bottled water for both drinking and teeth brushing.

Getting there

There are no direct flights that reach Sri Lanka from cities outside Asia, the Middle East and Europe . Many international airlines from various cities around the world provide regular flights to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB): SriLankan Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Mihin Lanka (Sir Lanka’s low-cost airline), Condor, Meridiana, JetAirFly , Qatar Airways, Jet Airways, Air Asia, Oman Air, Royal Jordanian, Singapore Airline, Cathy Pacific, Thai International Airways, Indian Airlines, Saudi Air, Malaysian Airline and Gulfair. Some of the airlines may offer special packages to Sri Lanka . Cheaper way to reach Sri Lanka is by ship from Tuticorin or Trivandrum , India .

Money

Sri Lanka is more expensive than South Asia or India , but costs are still reasonable. The Sri Lankan currency is the rupee (Rs), divided into 100 cents. Any bank or exchange bureau will change major currencies in cash, including US dollars, euros and pounds sterling. The exchange rates are approximately 110Rs/ USD, 156Rs/ EUR or 180Rs/GBP. Travellers’ cheques can also be changed by major banks with a smallish transaction fee. Thomas Cook, Visa and Amex are the most widely accepted. Commercial Bank has a wide network of ATMs accepting international Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus/Maestro cards. ATMs have spread to all of the cities and major regional centres. MasterCard and Visa are the most commonly accepted credit cards. Banks providing foreign currency exchange and ATMs are available both in Departure and Arrival Lobby at the Colombo International Airport .

Although a 10% service charge is added to food and accommodation bills, tipping is still a customary way of showing your appreciation for services rendered. Drivers expect a tip, as do people who ‘guide’ you through a site. A rule of thumb is to tip 10% of the total amount due. If there’s no money involved: Rs 10 for the person who minds your shoes at temples, and Rs 20 for a hotel porter.