The small fishing villages of Nilaveli and Uppuveli, were savaged by the tsunami, but the wide stretches of soft white sand are once again stunning loca­tions for bathing and basking. Only a few hotels survived the ups and downs of both the ethnic conflict and the force of nature. From here you can hire a boat to take you to Pigeon Island, an islet where rare, blue rock pigeons breed, and a paradise for snorkeling.

If you enjoy wildlife, The Nilaveli Beach Hotel and many other hotels can organise trips to Bundala, a sanctuary for flamingos, elephants and other wildlife. Much closer by is the vast shallow lagoon of Kokkilai, a bird sanctu­ary for such common species as wild pelicans, ducks and flamingos. Visitors will find that a rubber dingy is an ideal way to navigate the marshes.

The Hot Springsat Kanniyai are 8 km (5 miles) inland on theAnuradha­pura road and are known for their therapeutic qualities. The coolest spring is 29°C (84°F) and the hottest not more than 46°C (115°F). The Tamils believe they were created by Vishnu and named after the mother of Ravanna, the demon king, to enable Vishnu to perform an ablutionary rite on his mother. Devout Hindus come here to perform religious rites after a loved one has died.

A visit the Springs is like a burst of colourful culture. It gives the traveler a perfect opportunity to mingle with the smiling locals that come from all over Sri Lanka. The atmosphere (during a popular time) is simply electrifying with the laugher and joy of a simple bath time, that is not to be missed.