Wild life - wilpattu and Yala

Trincomalee, on the east coast, has fine natural harbor. The rocks at the base of  Swami Rock mark the ruins of an ancient Hindu temple.

Not least of Sri-Lanka's attractions are natural ones, beaches and national parks, and there are more than enough of both to keep the visitor occupied a good long while, although perhaps, when speaking of the seaside, a better word would be unoccupied.

Hikkaduwa,sixty-two miles south of Colombo, which boasts a magnificent view of the bay,the grace full palm trees, the white coral reefs, and  the seemingly infinite deep blue sea stetching out to the horizon. Hikkaduwa is famous for its sea sanctuary and coral gardens.

Jaffna Peninsula, in the north, suggests another world in its weird in its landscapes, with great deserted sand dunes and countless rows of tall palms.
Wilpattu and Ruhunu national parks are major wildlife sanctuaries. Most of the elephants seen there lack tusks and are comparatively small (although there are exceptions), but no one who has met one of the island's ferocious crocodiles would call it small. The black faced spoonbill; the painted stork; the graceful chital, or spotted deer.