Gayani Jayathilake

There is a story apart from the greenery, wildlife, culture, blue beaches, history, resources and skills that comes to mind when I think about Sri Lanka. The immense hospitality. Fruit one household picked was never eaten alone. It was shared with neighbours. Cooked or uncooked. Step into a house, known or unknown, you will get a cup of milk tea with plenty of sugar in it. Whether you want the milk and sugar or not, is irrelevant. The intention was to never send off a soul hungry or thirsty with just a bland cup. Remember the togetherness at times of crisis? The friendly conversation with strangers in a train? My father had an old fiat that broke down everywhere. In countless cities, villages, unknown people flocked to help us out. Proof he laid his trust on the people of his country. Wherever we went we were not afraid, for people were there for us. They will do that with everyone. It’s the norm there. It’s what they know. Step in and see for yourselves. Visit Sri Lanka.

True, you might experience power cuts, slight fuel shortages and won’t be able to endure certain luxuries you endured before, as a result of the financial crisis the country is facing now. But nothing else has changed. You will be better off doing your own research and preparing for your trip without stopping at the first viral news with disinformation. You are guaranteed to have a nice time. If nothing else, you will be treated well. Sri Lanka has been known to be a welcoming and gracious nation like that.