Latest news with #Kandy
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Telegraph
Pensioner beaten to death over stolen chocolate bar
A Sri Lankan man has been killed for allegedly stealing a bar of chocolate from a shop. Dharmasena Cooray, 67, was beaten to death by a shopkeeper and his employee after they accused the pensioner of stealing the treat in the city of Kandy, according to reports. The victim lived with his wife in the Pahala-Eriyagama suburb after their two children moved away. Mr Cooray would often visit the nearby market in Peradeniya to buy groceries and chocolates for himself and his wife. On Aug 5, the shop owner and an employee confronted Mr Cooray after claiming CCTV footage from the previous day showed him stealing chocolate without paying. They allegedly dragged him inside, where they punched and kicked him. Police said the suspects hit the father with an iron rod and he suffered multiple head and leg injuries, before the men left him by the roadside. A woman passing by recognised Mr Cooray and took him to hospital. Despite grievous injuries, he managed to give a statement to police, naming his attackers before dying on Aug 11. A post-mortem by the Kandy Judicial Medical Officer was inconclusive about the cause of his death. Police have arrested the two suspects, who are currently in police custody, said Vijitha Wijekoon, a chief inspector of the crime branch in Peradeniya. Sri Lanka's ageing population has traditionally relied on close-knit family support. But economic hardship has driven younger relatives abroad or to urban areas for work, leaving many older people isolated. More than 12 per cent are over 60, making it the highest proportion in South Asia. 'It's heartbreaking that, instead of someone offering to pay for it or the shop owner letting the gentleman enjoy that small treat, he had to pay the ultimate price with his life,' said a local resident, Ms Zahra Niyas. 'So sad to see that compassion and humanity seem to be fading away in our world today.' 'Such a level of evil to beat a poor, defenceless old man to death over a chocolate. Let the justice system use the two idiots as examples. They deserve to rot in hell,' said Lal Kumarasanga, another local. Pension swallowed by inflation Neighbours said Mr Cooray's modest pension had been swallowed by inflation, a reality faced by millions in Sri Lanka since the Island's 2022 economic collapse. That unprecedented crisis triggered by years of economic mismanagement left the country unable to import essentials such as fuel, food, and medicine. Across the nation, pensioners who celebrated Sri Lanka's independence in 1948 and survived its devastating 26-year civil war are still struggling to live on one handful of rice each day. Annual inflation has eased since then, but prices for staples remain far above pre-crisis levels. The World Bank estimates that poverty rates have doubled since 2019. Retirees on fixed incomes are among the hardest hit, with many unable to afford adequate nutrition or healthcare.
The National
12-08-2025
- General
- The National
In pictures: World Elephant Day
A decorated elephant, carrying the sacred golden casket housing the Buddha's tooth relic, takes part in celebrations to mark the Buddhist festival of Esala Perahera, in Kandy, Sri Lanka. AFP
News.com.au
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Destination Bec Judd is ‘dying' to visit
Bec Judd is looking forward to ditching her phone and embracing her 'inner zen" during a visit to a country that's long been on her bucket list. The 42-year-old Melbourne A-lister unsurprisingly spends a lot of time on social media sharing the ins and outs of her newly launched Vain-ish podcast, activewear brand Jaggad and Spray Aus tanning company alongside fellow influencer Nadia Bartel, with her almost 1 million Instagram followers. And while she loves the hustle, the mother-of-four is also looking forward to switching off during a wellness tour she will host to Sri Lanka in collaboration with Aussie travel brand, Luxury Escapes. 'I am so excited,' she told 'I love the idea of hosting a gorgeous group in the magical surrounds of Sri Lanka. I'm looking forward to getting off my phone and embracing my inner zen.' Bec, who shares Oscar, 13, Billie, 11, and twins Tom and Darcy, eight, with retired footy great Chris Judd, said 'everything is a rush, a mess and noisy'. 'As a mum of four and someone who's always on the go, I know how important it is to carve out time to reset,' she said. 'I'm looking forward to nine days of silence but I know I'll miss my kids dearly,' she laughed. Bec will be part of Luxury Escapes latest Signature Series tours program, an eight-night, nine-day wellness journey through spiritual landscapes of Sri Lanka. The 32 guests will travel to Santani Wellness Kandy in May 2026, a world-renowned luxury retreat in a former tea plantation in the mountains of central Sri Lanka. '[We will be doing] lots of wellness rituals, yoga, meditation, detoxification, treatments, jungle hikes and eating the most wonderful food. I might even get a cheeky round of golf in,' Bec said. This will be her first time visiting the destination, adding she's only seen images of its beauty and is 'dying' to go. 'I've heard so many amazing things about Santani being the best wellness spa in the world so I'm looking forward to really leaning into everything the experience will offer,' she said, adding that life is chaotic and 'opportunities like this are a privilege to be a part of where I can take the time to focus on my wellness and health'. 'I'm keen to slow down and take time out to chill and reset my nervous system.' The wellness retreat tour comes amid a surge in interest in Sri Lankan travel among Aussies, with Luxury Escapes seeing a 15 per cent year-on-year increase in website searches for the island nation. Adam Schwab, co-founder and CEO of Luxury Escapes, said choosing Sri Lanka for the company's first wellness retreat was an easy decision. 'Its rich culture, incredible natural cuisine and world class wellness scene make it one of the most relaxing but exciting destinations on the map for 2026,' he said. 'Santani is quite simply one of the world's most incredible hotels. Voted as one of the best spa's globally it has also been recognised by TIME Magazine as one of the 'World's Greatest Places' as well as Vogue, Forbes and Condé Nast Traveler.' In 2024, Sri Lanka's tourism sector rebounded significantly, welcoming approximately 2.1 million tourists (a 38 per cent increase) from 2023, according to GoWithGuide. Australia played a big role with 89,573 visitors to the thriving destination. This number made Australia the fifth-largest source market for Sri Lanka in 2024. The Luxury Escapes tour is available to book now with limited places for May 2026.
Miami Herald
15-07-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
A Neurologist and a Mom Join Forces: the Real-World Evidence in the Fight for NurOwn's Approval for People with ALS
The Real-World Evidence in the Citizens' Petition Supports the Accelerated Approval of the Stem Cell Therapy that Was Helping People with ALS Live Longer and Breathe Better NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / Every neurologist who specializes in neuromuscular medicine remembers their first patient… the first time you have to deliver an ALS diagnosis. How do you tell someone that they will lose the ability to walk, talk, move, eat, drink, swallow, and eventually, breathe? There is no easy way to tell someone that ALS is always fatal and there are no disease-modifying treatments. In every physician's heart there is that first patient that you always remember. And then another patient comes along and imprints on your soul. For me, after 15 years of practice, that patient was Kade Simons. I share his story jointly and with the permission of his mother. Kade Simons died of ALS on August 4, 2024 - just a week before his 27th birthday. His passing was the most devastating in all my years as a neurologist. Some patients just settle in your heart, make a home there and never leave. Kade did that. Kade, his mom Kandy and I met at our first telehealth appointment in December of 2022. Right away, Kade made it clear that he didn't care much for doctors. But somehow we clicked. He saw I was wearing black nail polish and this resonated with him, so he took a liking to me. At the next appointment, my nails were no longer black. With his mischievous grin and his twinkling blue eyes, he gave me a little side-eye. It made me think about those small things in life that we, as humans, find connection in. In hindsight, I realize just why he liked my nail polish and it crushes my soul. Why? Because he was a mere 6 years older than my own daughter. SIX YEARS. He looked at me the way my own children look at me when maybe I am a little on trend and they find me relatable. And now I realize why Kade took a special place in my spirit; because he was a child and this tore at my maternal core. No mother should ever have to bury a child. I wish that everyone on the NurOwn Advisory Committee two years ago would have been forced to look into the eyes of a vibrant 20-something year-old and reconcile that they ignored his compelling testimony. That is the testimony Kade and Kandy shared with me. Kade's Experience with NurOwnAt that first appointment, I sat in amazement as Kandy and Kade shared the story about Kade's participation in the NurOwn stem cell trial at Mayo. Kade received 3 doses of NurOwn from July to November of 2019. Although the trial had not yet been unblinded, Kade and his mom were adamant that he was in the treatment arm. Kade felt NurOwn work almost immediately. He told me that his fasciculations stopped. They showed me videos. After his first dose, he felt his foot "popping up" when he walked. Translation: his foot drop was improving as his brain's messages were getting delivered again to his foot muscles. Kandy then narrated a video where Kade exclaimed that he was having to get used to the renewed strength in his legs that he hadn't experienced in a while. With every dose of NurOwn, Kade felt stronger, walked easier, had more range of motion, less spasticity, clonus and cramping. His physical therapist agreed. The more we talked, the more I became intrigued. Kade had ALS onset in three regions: bulbar and both upper and lower limbs. Consistent with his multi-loci onset and ALS natural history, Kade was initially a fast progressor. But his medical records showed that his lethal progression abruptly slowed after he started receiving NurOwn. And so important and "clinically meaningful" to any 24-year-old, Kade was still able to use his hands to text and to play video games with his brother and friends - maintaining that social connection with his peers. In my professional experience, all of this was extremely unusual for someone four years post-diagnosis. Kade boasted that he was still able to eat pizza and Jersey Mike's subs - something that both the neurologist and the Italian girl in me appreciated. Eating without limitations four years after diagnosis is highly unusual in ALS. But it's almost unheard of in someone who began their ALS journey with bulbar onset. But most of all, I was astounded that Kade was still breathing on his own without the assistance of non-invasive ventilation. He was sleeping laying flat (something that doesn't happen when the nerves innervating your diaphragm muscles start to die). Kade's pulmonologist agreed about the rarity of Kade's normal respiratory function. Kade had been a college baseball player. As an athlete, Kade made quite clear to me that he knew his body. He knew when it worked and he knew when it didn't. He was insulted that people would doubt when he said NurOwn improved how he functioned. Kandy too said, "I watched Kade improve on NurOwn." Just as Kade knew his body, a mom knows her child. Kade asked me if I believed them. I did. In the months after that first appointment with Kade, I had the chance to meet with several other patients in the NurOwn trial. Many of these patients reported similar improvements and their medical records mirrored those experiences. The more patients I met, the more records I reviewed, the more I believed in NurOwn's efficacy. The people who thought they were in the placebo arm (or were non-responders) had medical records that reflected their decline; but those who were as adamant as Kade that they were in the NurOwn arm had medical records that reflected a stark contrast. My Expert Opinion as a Neuromuscular Specialist with Documented RWEI promised Kade - in life - that I would try my best to advocate for him and all others brutalized by this disease. When it came time for the NurOwn Advisory Committee meeting in 2023, I was compelled to share, not just my clinical observations outside the trial (evidence the FDA calls "real-world evidence"), but also my expert opinion as a neuromuscular specialist who has treated well over a thousand people with ALS. Because of my tele-neurology practice, I suspected I had seen more NurOwn recipients than any other neurologists besides the trials' investigators. And uniquely, I saw them years after the 28-week trial ended. Thus, my observations could provide clinical evidence about the durability of my patients' responses on NurOwn. I submitted a Public Comment to the FDA sharing my professional opinion that NurOwn worked on some people. "I have been working in the ALS clinical space and in ALS multidisciplinary clinics for over 15 years…. I have seen the full breadth of clinical constellations playing out over time. What I have not seen, though, is anyone with significant functional improvement from a declining baseline; I have not seen patients rise from plateaus. It does not happen in the natural course of ALS. It did happen with the introduction of NurOwn. The real-world evidence could not be more striking. I have known patients nearly immobile who gained some functionality in their gait, patients with severe dysarthria become intelligible, patients who could not manage the fine motor skill needed to button or zipper, finally able to dress independently." I implored the FDA to consider the risk of a Type II error - failing to approve a drug that does work. "I implore you to open your minds and to take my clinical observations and this real world evidencejust as you would any solid data set from a trial. Consider this evidence as if it were your patient you observed in your own clinic…. Not all evidence manifests in the confines of a trial. Listen to the narratives of these patients and their physicians. NurOwn works. The science of the trial, the art of our clinical observations and attention to our patients' accounts demonstrates the truth of this statement.… Please allow this treatment to come to market with a phase 4 post-marketing trial. Let other neurologists witness what I have seen in my own patients. Let thousands more patients have a chance to benefit from NurOwn." I knew death would be imminent for so many of my patients if they couldn't get more NurOwn. They had already defied the odds. I knew the ALS clock wouldn't wait five more years for another Phase 3 trial. Kade had already lived nearly four years past his last dose of NurOwn in 2019. The Citizens' PetitionKade was strong, determined, and courageous, and so too is his mother Kandy-who, despite her grief over the loss of her son, is a Petitioner in the recent Citizens' Petition. This 309-page legal document seeks accelerated approval of NurOwn based on powerful survival and respiratory data, along with real-world evidence from the now-unblinded trial participants. The Citizens' Petition relies upon the promise of the 21st Century Cures Act, wherein Congress encouraged the FDA to use real-world evidence and patient experiences - data from actual patients like Kade and the EAP participants. In 100% terminal and heterogeneous rare diseases, every story matters and every type of evidence matters. When the trial was unblinded after the Advisory Committee meeting, I was not surprised to learn that - almost without exception - every one of my patients accurately predicted if they received NurOwn or placebo. As the Citizens' Petition states: "When people are dying, they know when a drug helps them live. When people are becoming paralyzed, they know when a drug helps them move again. And when people can't breathe without a non-invasive ventilator, they know when a drug helps them breathe again." The new data in the Citizens' Petition illustrates that the FDA's focus on the primary endpoint alone overlooked the totality of the evidence, and I believe resulted in a Type II statistical error. The totality of the evidence included: the data of responders earlier in progression, objective biomarker data, compelling patient experiences, neurologists' observations, and expert opinions, like those detailed in the 309-page Citizens' Petition. For example, the FDA failed to heed the opinions of esteemed ALS clinical trialists with four decades of experience like Dr. Robert Brown of UMass Chan School of Medicine and Dr. Anthony Windebank of Mayo Clinic. They opined that a "significant number" of people had a "clinically meaningful" response to NurOwn, that it caused progression-free survival in some, and even helped some regain function - just as Kade told me. Although Kade was not chosen to receive additional doses in the Expanded Access Program (EAP), his data too is informative and it was included in the Citizens' Petition. I can corroborate Kade's submitted data: Kade had symptom onset in three regions concurrently. Kade was a fast progressor, losing 1 point per month before receiving NurOwn. Kade's first bulbar symptoms occurred in May of 2018…. By the time Kade received NurOwn in July of 2019, his ALSFRS-R score had plummeted to 34…. NurOwn caused the most durable impact on Kade's respiratory and bulbar function…. Kade didn't get a feeding tube until February of 2024, and even then he still continued to eat things like pizza and Jersey Mike's Subs up until a few months before his death in August of 2024. Most impressively, Kade did not use NIV up until the time of his death. In addition to the long-term data from people in the Phase 3 trial and EAP, the Citizens' Petition also submitted the following unprecedented survival and respiratory data: 100% five-year survival in EAP vs. 20% natural history (p-value = ~0.000335 (one-sided) or ~0.000671 (two-sided)EAP Median ≈ 7 year Tracheostomy-free survival (60-103 month range) vs. 30 month median in ALS natural historyProgression-free survival (range up to 17 months)Long-term slowing of ALS progression of up to 85%Halting of respiratory declineRange of 5-8+ years in time-to-NIV vs. 15-27 months natural history Notably, comparing the above survival data to exhibit A & B in the Petition, the NurOwn survival data meets or beats the survival data supporting the accelerated approval of dozens of cancer therapies. The Citizens' Petition also cites multiple studies that conclude that almost no one with multi-loci ALS onset survives five years. But Kade did. Kade beat the bulbar onset natural history data as well. On pages 29-32, the Petition reports that the median lifespan for people with bulbar onset is approximately 2 years from symptom onset and 1.5 years from diagnosis. This is consistent with my professional experience. The Petition reports that NurOwn recipients who had bulbar onset lived approximately 3.5 years longer than the median in ALS natural history. Applying these above peer-reviewed criteria to Kade, I can confirm, as Kade's treating neurologist, that: Kade Lived "trach-free" 78 months (6.5 years) from symptom onset vs. the 2-year average for bulbar onsetKade's progression slowed from more than 1 point per month on the ALSFRS-R down to 0.16 points per monthKade chose not to use a bi-pap to breathe and thus at the time of his death (68 months from diagnosis), Kade's time-to-NIV dwarfed the ALS natural history of 15 months for fast progressors and the 13.5 months for people with bulbar onset. As Kade's treating neurologist, these data align with the Public Comment that I submitted in 2023. They also align with Kandy's Public Comment and testimony that she shared at the NurOwn Advisory Committee meeting. These data in the Citizens' Petition further strengthen my expert opinion and resolve that NurOwn helped Kade breathe better and live longer. It is a tragedy unlike anything I have experienced in my career that Kade was denied continued access to the stem cell therapy that was helping him live. Gold Standard Science and Common Sense Support ApprovalI am heartened to read that Commissioner Makary is committed to marry gold standard science and common sense. As such, I implore the FDA to consider the new and unprecedented survival and respiratory data that is reasonably likely to predict a clinically meaningful impact. Listen to the opinions of the neurologists who treated the patients. But most of all, listen to the patients. They are the only ones who know what it feels like to die a little more each day. And the new data proves that they were right. They knew when NurOwn helped them live. Thus, substantial evidence supports the approval of NurOwn. Please approve NurOwn with a Phase 4 post-marketing study. Please show my patients with ALS the same compassion and humanity that the Oncology Center of Excellence shows cancer patients. My Promise to KadeToday, with this Press Release, I renew my promise to Kade. As I did during his life, I will continue to do after his death. For whatever number of years God blesses me to continue helping people with ALS, I will move forward with the same resolve that Kade and his family have shown. Please hold space in your heart today for the 26-year-old man with the resolve and courage that I could never fathom rest him. About Danielle Geraldi-Samara, MDFor over 15 years, Dr. Geraldi-Samara has diagnosed and treated people with ALS. She attended medical school at the State University of New York at Syracuse and completed her residency and neuromuscular fellowship at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. With the goal of bringing ALS care closer for local patients, Dr. Geraldi-Samara helped establish an ALS/Neuromuscular clinic from the ground up at NYU-Brooklyn. She also served as a supervising Neuromuscular Specialist at Northwell Health's multidisciplinary ALS clinic in New York. Dr. Geraldi-Samara counts patient relationships as the driving force in her career. Because of the inequity in ALS regulatory policy and law - and Kade's inability to get more of the drug that was helping him live - Dr. Geraldi has resumed her academic career, where she is currently working on a master's degree in bioethics. While continuing her neuromuscular practice, she also wants to work to transform regulatory policy for patients with terminal rare diseases like ALS. About Kandy SimonsKandy Simons is the mother of Kade Simons. She has become a patient advocate to right the wrongs that were inflicted upon her son and her family. She lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with her husband Mitchel Simons as well as her only remaining child, Kruz Simons. About NurOwnDeveloped by Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics, NurOwn is a mesenchymal stem cell therapy marries the restorative powers of stem cells with the regenerative powers of neurotrophic factors. NurOwn is made from your body's own stem cells harvested from a bone marrow aspiration. They are then treated in a lab and supercharged to release neurotrophic factors. Once injected directly into the CSF, your stem cells work like a Fed Ex truck, delivering nano-packages of neurotrophic factors and immunomodulatory cytokines directly to the sites of the motor neurons damaged by ALS. The neurotrophic factors act like "Miracle-Gro" for your neurons. Contact : Danielle Geraldi-Samara, MD(mail to: DGSneuro@ Warack, Esq.(mail to: Veterans4NurOwn@ Klingenberg, BSN RN(mail to: NurOwnWorks@ Copy of Citizens' Petition and Exhibits Filed with the FDA:Join Dr. Geraldi, Kandy Simons and many others in urging the FDA to approve NurOwn for people with ALS. The 309-page Citizens' Petition includes the data supporting approval as well as easy-to-read charts and graphs that show how NurOwn extended lifespan and improved function for people with ALS. You can see the data and graphics, as well as Petitioners' stories at: SOURCE: NurOwn Citizen's Petition
The Independent
27-06-2025
- The Independent
Sri Lanka travel guide: Everything to know before you go
Sri Lanka can be best described as south Asia in miniature form, filled with beaches, elephants, tea plantations, curries, sacred rituals, colourful ceremonies, and most of all, warmly welcoming people. Hailed as the 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean' and the 'Teardrop of India ', this ancient island nation has long been celebrated – and coveted – for its abundant landscapes, strategic significance, and rare beauty. Sri Lanka's past is remarkably well preserved, despite years of unrest and strife. From Victorian-era colonial clubs to centuries-old Buddhist temples, layer after layer of Sri Lankan history is within reach. Its natural heritage is rich, too. Ten national parks provide sanctuary for sloth bears to sambars, leopards to lorises, and of course plenty of elephants. For such a small island (roughly the size of Ireland), the diversity here is striking – you can climb mist-robed mountains, surf silvery shores, trek through abundant jungle, all in the same day. Sri Lanka's cities have that frenetic, cheerful chaos common to Asian cities, whether it's Colombo 's colonial grandeur or Kandy's exalted lakeside lifestyle. Either way, the coast's serenity is never far, with some of the finest beaches in the world ready to embrace you: champagne-coloured sand, palms in regal repose, and the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean. Best time to go It depends on what you're looking for. Thanks to its dual monsoon pattern, December-April tends to be best for beaches and wildlife excursions on the south and west of the island, while the dry months of May-September unlock access to the north and east. Each side has its pick of stunning locations, and if you want to see both (without getting drenched) then September-October and April are the shoulder seasons for you, offering cooler temperatures, fewer tourists and excellent hiking opportunities. April coincides with the local new year celebrations, so be wary of increased congestion on the transport networks. Top cities and regions Kandy Kandy is Sri Lanka's beating heart: Holy town, hilltop enclave, and spiritual centre. Sri Lanka's ancient customs and natural beauty come together here, with temples, shrines and palaces reflected in the glassy surface of the lake, hugged by hills as green as any you'll ever see. Take the Main Line train from Colombo, wind your way up the mountains, and enjoy one of the world's most celebrated railway rides. Kandy is where Sri Lanka's kings resided, and it's easy to see why; today, the entirety of Kandy is a Unesco World Heritage site. Despite the crowds, be sure to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth, Sri Lanka's greatest religious relic, and said to be from the Buddha's own mouth. While you can't see the tooth itself – only the case is on display – the temple itself is beautiful, with many chambers, galleries and artefacts. Go in the evening to witness the prayers and the candlelight. Further along the train line is Ella, where the British plantation owners once resided, and home to Ella Rock, whose summit is a challenging but reasonable hike (three–four hours). Whitewashed, manicured, and orderly, Galle feels like a prestigious Mediterranean seaside resort. No wonder: it was founded by the Portuguese and expanded by the Dutch. Galle's architecture and atmosphere have a distinctly European feel, from the prim and proper lighthouse to the austere Protestant churches. Gone are the laid-back surfer vibes of Weligama and Marisa, replaced by well-to-do couples, fashionable boutiques, and candlelit dinners. Explore the well-preserved fort by daylight before taking a stroll down the tranquil lanes and avenues of the town itself. The seafood food is spectacular, the bars plentiful, and the nights balmy and untroubled. Just don't expect much nightlife. Colombo Crowded, frenetic, and choked up, Colombo used to be dismissed as merely the place from which to fly in and out. But Colombo has history, culture and excellent food. If you're keen on colonial history, the city boasts some of the best-preserved architecture from anywhere in the former British Empire. If not, there are plenty of temples, museums, and shrines besides. Hop on a tuk-tuk and explore an anthology of Sri Lanka's past: the mind-melting stripes of Jami Ul-Alfar mosque; the statues of the Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist temple; and St Anthony's Shrine, a Catholic church illuminated at night. Gathering these cultural riches is the Colombo National Museum, the biggest in Sri Lanka and featuring over 100,000 artefacts. Anuradhapura and Sigiriya The ancient city of Anuradhapura was abandoned in the 13th century, and was overgrown by jungle until the 19 th century. Since then, it has flourished as a site for both Buddhist pilgrims and tourists, who flock to see the shrines and relics. One of the most visited is a sacred pipal tree, planted in 245BC from a cutting of the Bo tree, under which it's said the Buddha attained enlightenment. It's recognised as the oldest cultivated tree in the world. Even more iconic are the Dagobas, the wide-domed Buddhist temples that dominate the city. Ruwanwelisaya, the oldest and the grandest, can get crowded. Instead, go wherever the ceremonies are taking place. Outside of the city lies Mihintale, a hilltop where the first Buddhist monastery is said to have converted a Sri Lankan king and his hunting party. The view from the peak of the hills is spectacular, but go at sunrise rather than sunset, or prepare to huddle among couples. Just over an hour away is Sigiriya, a rock formation featuring an ancient fortress. It's another Unesco site, and possibly the single most popular attraction in the country. Although entry is a little pricey (£25 for foreign visitors), it's worth it. You'll see ancient frescoes, the centuries-old Mirror Wall, and the enormous – scarcely-believable – lion's paws guarding the summit (the remains of what was originally a towering stone lion). It's 350-odd metres to the summit, so wear your exercise gear and prepare to sweat. Arugam Bay and Kumana National Park Sri Lanka isn't short of beaches. The crescent-moon sands of Arugam Bay are among the best. While Weligama, Mirissa, and Hikkaduwa have more of a party vibe, Arugam Bay's tranquil beauty is better suited to relaxing. Pitched on the unspoilt east coast, the waves are best between May and October – when the rest of Sri Lanka is beset by monsoon rains and ocean currents. Arugam Bay's thatched huts and sleepy shoreline is one of the finest places to get away from it all. The waves at Main Point are some of the best in Sri Lanka. When you're ready to explore again, hail a tuk-tuk and head to Kumana National Park. Unlike Yala, its famous neighbour, Kumana National Park retains much more of its wilderness – less zoo, more sanctuary. It's especially good for bird spotting, with hundreds of species nesting there. A guide is included with entry, which means you can't tour the park alone, but they're such good spotters that it makes for a much better experience. Best under-the-radar destinations Jaffna Until recently, the north of Sri Lanka was scarcely visited due to the 25-year civil war, with the Tamil-controlled northern regions engulfed in conflict. With the war long since over, travellers are returning to Jaffna, the biggest city in the north and previously completely inaccessible. India is the cultural force here, not the Singhalese of Sri Lanka, and you immediately sense the difference. Language, food, atmosphere are all south Indian; Tamil rather than Sinhalese, masala dhosa rather than kottu roti, Shiva rather than Buddha. The biggest Hindu temple in Sri Lanka, Nallur Kandaswamy, is as vibrant and impressive as any in India, and if you're hazy about the differences between Hinduism and Buddhism, exploring Nallur Kandaswamy after being in the south will sharpen you up. Jaffna's fort is smaller than Galle's but is much less crowded, and especially beautiful at sunset. And fewer tourists means the locals are less accustomed to dealing with foreigners, though no less welcoming. Wilpattu National Park It's Sri Lanka's biggest national park, dominating the north-west coast, but Wilpattu has an undiscovered, secretive feel. While more popular national parks have 'Disneyfied' the wildlife experience, with viewing stations, zoo-like enclosures, and money-making animal encounters, Wilpattu is wilderness proper. If you want to pat an elephant and get a hundred likes for it, stick to Yala; if you want to lose yourself in dense woodland – quietly sighting a spotted deer, sloth bear or leopard – then Wilpattu is unsurpassed. Check into one of the forest lodges in the park, stick your jodhpurs on and experience a traditional safari game drive around the park. Trincomalee Given the sheer beauty of its glittering bay, it's a wonder that Trincomalee isn't better-known. Head over to the north-east coast and dip into a miniature world all of its own: tropical beaches bunched together like ripe fruit, shrines where the centuries peel away to reveal age-old rituals, and lagoon water as clear as crushed crystal. Half a dozen of Trincomalee's beaches could make a strong claim for best on the island. Crack open a coconut, kick off your sandals, and luxuriate in the sunshine. When you're ready to amble, there's a colonial-era fort, historic temples, and rocky outcrops where you can spot blue whales. Best things to do Take the train deep into the tea plantations Whatever else you get up to in Sri Lanka, make absolutely sure that you take the Main Line train from Colombo to Kandy, and then from Kandy all the way to Ella. It takes eight hours or more, but this is one of those journeys that's worth savouring. The train climbs inland from the coast, cutting through rock, farmland and jungle. You'll travel across mountains veiled in mist, hillsides carpeted with tea leaves, and imposing brick-arched bridges from another era. If you fancy a cocktail and a party, stay on until at Ella; if you want a cup of tea and tranquillity, get off at Nuwara Eliyah. Get a taste of surf culture Surfing can be tough, physically draining, and utterly, blissfully exhausting. Getting on a board is daunting, especially when surrounded by confident surfers strutting about, so find a school that's right for you. Although Weligama is the surf hotspot, there are less crowded (and much prettier) places to learn all along the south coast, such as Mirissa, Ahangama, or Unawatuna, which are also great for beginners. While you can surf just for the day, it takes some getting used to, so if you have the time check into a surf camp for a few days. Plunging into the sea every morning, feeling the pump and force of the waves, and collapsing on the sands in happy fatigue afterwards is a rewarding, nourishing, and vital experience – especially if you combine it with some yoga. Plus, there is no appetite quite like the one worked up on a surfboard, so when you finally sit down for your coconut curry it'll taste even better. Get up close to wildlife Many conservation projects in Sri Lanka are preserving wildlife sustainably while also giving you unparalleled access. Since the early 1990s, numbers of elephants, leopards, and other endangered species have risen considerably, and sustainable tourism has helped. The Smithsonian Primate Research Station, near Polonnaruwa, is the oldest of its kind in the world and Bundala's flamingo-filled wetlands are a Unesco biosphere reserve. The safaris in the national parks – Wilpattu, Udawalawe, and Wasgamuwa – rival almost anything in Africa. Getting around Travelling by train isn't just convenient, it's also a quintessential journey through Sri Lanka's history and a window unto its landscapes, and is also very cheap. For short journeys, it has to be tuk-tuk. Individually decorated, stubbornly persistent and formidably cheap, travelling by tuk-tuk quickly becomes addictive. It's not always comfortable, especially if you squeeze three or more into the backseat, but it's a great way to chat to locals and get the wind in your hair. Agree the fee in advance, especially in tourist areas, but remember the country has just come off suffering from a fuel crisis – if you can afford to fork out an extra hundred rupees, do it. Otherwise, when you need that 6am ride to the airport or that drive down from the mountains to the coast, book a taxi. Many tuk-tuk drivers also have cars, so ask ahead about a taxi service. Roads are generally well maintained and safe, but driving can be erratic. How to get there Sri Lankan Airways offer direct flights between London and Colombo. Other airlines offer stopovers, often in Doha or Dubai. Money-saving tip Travel and food are cheap in Sri Lanka, but accommodation is comparatively expensive. Alcohol is pricey, too – this is a conservative island, and the drinking culture is much less raucous here than in the rest of south-east Asia. There's no real hostel culture either, so the best value are the guesthouses, which are often family-run and very friendly. If you want the full-on luxury experience, Sri Lanka offers an enviable abundance of Western opulence – at Western prices, so book in advance. Tipping isn't expected, but haggling very much is. Friendly negotiation is part of the transaction here, so get stuck in. Current travel restrictions and entry requirements The Department of Immigration and Emigration has a online embarkation form. Foreign nationals can complete the online form three days prior to arrival in Sri Lanka. The service is free of charge. All visitors are advised to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka; you can apply for on the ETA website. As entry requirements are liable to change, check the UK's Foreign Office's travel advice website before any travel for updates. FAQs What's the weather like? Thanks to its ocean winds, Sri Lanka is tropical and enjoyably warm most of the year round, with coastal temperatures averaging around 28C and upland areas averaging between 16-20C. The island experiences a dual monsoon, affecting one side of the island at a time. The south-western region and central highlands receive most of the island's rainfall, whilst the north and the east experience a distinct dry season from May to September. Take a jacket – the evenings can get chilly. What time zone is it in? Sri Lanka Standard Time, GMT+5:30 What currency do I need? The Sri Lankan rupee. You can get hold of these before travel, or you can exchange or withdraw some after arrival. Exchanging at the airport will be more expensive, but it's also a reliable 24/7 service and a good place to set yourself up for the next few days. Although card payments are growing increasingly popular, most small shops, local restaurants and markets still aren't set up for it, so make sure you always have cash on you. What language is spoken? The primary language of Sri Lanka is Sinhala, although in the north Tamil is widely spoken. You'll find English spoken by many, particularly as the language of commerce.
