Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Abundant with natural resources and beauty, our island has all it takes to be called the “Paradise Island”. From long sandy beaches to breathtaking mountain landscapes and everything in between; she is a nation with a diverse population and a proud heritage. Sadly, our home was plagued by a thirty year civil war. Beautiful locations in the island were unreachable, whilst many resources were made unusable and precious human lives were destroyed. But that’s all in the past! Since the end of the war, we’ve seen considerable growth in the travel and tourism industry fed by both local and foreign travelers eager to experience Sri Lanka in all her glory!
Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean is known for her beautiful sandy beaches! Travelers from all corners of the world visit our country to experience the 3 S’s – Sun, Sand, and Surf! Luckily we have enough and more beaches around the country to accommodate the large volumes of travelers who are drawn to the beach. What is fascinating about the beaches around the island is the fact that each beach has a unique “selling point”. Some beaches are by definition tourist hot spots that emphasize on fun and entertainment! The beauty of the beach is complimented by the activities that go along with them. Snorkeling, Scuba diving, traditional surfing, and kite surfing are gaining popularity with each passing day.
But, maybe you’re looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of day to day life. All you want is to relax on a quiet beach with a good book and king coconut to recharge your batteries from working hard at your job! Yes, there are a few secluded beaches nestled amongst the plethora of popular tourist destinations spread around the island, but chances are that you probably won’t be able to find the bliss that you’re looking for. My advice, take a trip to the east coast.
Pasikudah is one such place that is gaining popularity amongst tourists. Both local and foreign investors have shown interest towards investing in projects aimed towards developing Pasikudah as a tourist hub. The Sri Lankan government has laid down strict environment policies for this region, thus preventing plans for mass development. At present the beaches are very clean and the atmosphere is extremely calm and quiet.
The longest stretch of shallow reef coastline in the world is found in Pasikudah! The sea currents around this area are comparatively weaker than the other coasts in Sri Lanka; this allows people to walk roughly a kilometer into the shallow water.
Getting to Pasikudah is an experience in itself! Available to you are a variety of choices, from driving to either taking the bus or train. And for those of you who can afford it, you have the option of taking a sea plane!
Pasikudah is hot!! During the height of the dry season that falls between March and October, one can experience typical tropical weather! We visited Pasikudah in March, and we could certainly feel the heat! Being located in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka coupled with the March equinox is probably why we felt the elevated temperature! The fact that we spend a better part of our regular days cooped up in air conditioned offices didn’t help either.
There aren’t many attractions in Pasikudah. As I mentioned before, it’s a very relaxed part of the country where you can unwind and rejuvenate yourself. But you must make sure to catch a sunrise, it’s simply magical!!This ideal honeymoon destination is host to a collection of beautiful hotels tucked into the coastline. Sunrise by Jetwing, Uga Bay by Uga Escapes, Maalu Maalu Resort and Spa, and the Anantaya Resort &Spa are some of the more popular hotels in the area.
For those of you who are interested in doing a bit of sightseeing, your best options would be to head down towards Batticaloa. Found in Batticaloa is the Kallady beach famous for its breath taking sunrises. And if you’re lucky you can watch the fishermen haul in their daily catch and maybe lend them a hand! The Batticaloa lighthouse built by the British in 1913 is worth a visit; especially during sunrise!
Located about 30 km south of the Batticaloa lighthouse is the Kokkadicholai Thanthimalai Sri Murugan Temple. This beautiful Hindu temple sits on a 100 acre piece of land believed to be the place where God Kandan first set foot in Sri Lanka when he sailed to our island after a war against a demon. The annual festival of this temple honoring God Murugan falls in the month of July and is said to be attended by roughly 15,000 devotees from around the country.
“For most people, we often marvel at the beauty of a sunrise or the magnificence of a full moon, but it is impossible to fathom the magnitude of the universe that surrounds us.”
– Richard H. Baker
Extraordinary pages of an ordinary life 