Eco-Tourism: Ambaraluwa in Rural Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has always been a favourite holiday destination of Britons. The country is blessed with beauty. I have marvelled at those lovely golden beaches - miles upon miles - on the west and east coast of Sri Lanka. The lull in the fighting between the Sri Lankan Army and the Tamil Tigers has opened up the east coast and travellers have experienced Trincomalee, arugum bay - a wonderful place for deep sea diving.

Eco tourism is now the hottest topic where Sri Lanka is concerned and UK visitors are finding their way to the villages - off the tourist maps in their search for the 'real Sri Lanka.'

Many are leaving behind the 5 star hotels and are living in basic accommodation to experience real village life in Sri Lanka. It is a very exhilerating experience because you get to meet ordinary Sri Lankans who want to meet you and do not be surprised if they invite you to their homes. They just want to speak to people from other nations.

Ambaraluwa is becoming a MUST SEE destination in Gampaha. It is a small village and the people are friendly. Gampaha is by far the largest and nearest town. The Gampaha Rest House is adequate where accommodation is concerned.

There are not many references about rural villages on the Internet but Ambaraluwa is well known on the web as it is the birthplace of a man called Sumith Wickramasinghe. Read his absorbing life story (click here.) I found it really enlightening about growing up in a village in Sri Lanka and moving in to the big city of Colombo. Many say that Ambaraluwa is well worth experiencing and you can see why it meant so much for a Sri Lankan like Sumith Wickramasinghe.

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Published on 9/14/04