Beaches
Since ancient times, Sri Lanka has been well known for its golden beaches, with the island earning the name ‘Thambapanni’, meaning copper red sand, nearly 2,500 years ago when the first King of Sri Lanka, Wijeya, landed from his voyage from India. While the traditional beaches are in the South and Western coasts such as Negombo, Bentota, Unawatuna, Tangalle, Ahangama, Weligama and Mirissa,the development of infrastructure has brought into the limelight the magnificent beaches in the East Coast, such as Arugambay, Passikudah, and Kuchchaveli. Despite the Boxing Day Tsunami which ravaged most of the country’s coastal belt, the beaches of Sri Lanka still present pictures of undying beauty. Surfing, kite surfing, whale and dolphin watching, and diving are some of the activities one could experience off the beaches of Sri Lanka.