Madam, - I write to encourage your readers to visit Sri Lanka. I have just returned from a holiday there, and found that our party were often the only guests in hotels and restaurants. The tsunami devastation is very severe in the east and south of the island and there is great suffering still in these parts.
Sri Lanka is damaged doubly: not only has to suffer the tsunami damage, but it also loses its main source of income, tourism.
The planes land in Colombo, on the west coast, and you can have a wonderful holiday, filled with interest, avoiding voyeurism in the south, and the Tamil area in the north. The island is about the same size as Ireland and its situation reminds me of our own: we all know that even during the recent Troubles we enjoyed the benefits of tourism in the south.
In the centre, there is Kandy and the cultural triangle - many ancient historical cities and sites, Buddhist and otherwise. The island is lush in vegetation, and an ornithologist's paradise, with many rare birds to see.
The game parks boast leopard, elephant, monkeys and other animals. The Indian Ocean was a pleasure to swim in; the hotels are very reasonable.
Above all, the people are gentle and smiling in their welcome, with an old-fashioned courtesy. A visit is a great experience. - Yours, etc.,
JILL COX, Woodlands Avenue, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.