Negambo
A characteristic fishing town north of Colombo, it is a mere 6 km from the international airport. Set amidst lush groves of coconut palms, it breathes the spirit of the sea. Negombo is a gourmet's paradise with sea food in plenty. Old - world fishing craft, like the outrigger canoe and the catamaran, bring seer, skipjack, herring, mullet, pomfret and amber jack, while lobster and prawn are caught in the lagoon .

Kalutara
An important spice-trading centre controlled at various times by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Today it has a reputation for fine basket ware (visit basket hall) and also for the best mangosteens on the island. Immediately south of the Kalu Ganga Bridge on the main road is the Gangatil Vihara, which has a hollow dagoba (Buddhist shrine) with an interesting painted terior. By the roadside there's a small shrine and bodhi tree where drivers often stop to make offerings to ensure a safe journey to Wadduwa is 8kim north of Kalutara.

Beruwela
About 58 km south of Colombo, Beruwala is the site of the oldest Moor settlement on the island (1024 AD) and the town even today retains a somewhat Arabic character. This is the beginning of a 130 km stretch of beach where resort development has taken immense strides in the past few years. There are several good beach resorts, built almost next to each other along the coast with beautiful tropical gardens and in such a way so as not to disturb the landscape. The bay offers good bathing possibilities the year round.
 

Bentota Resort complex is a romantic rendezvous of river and sea with several hotels, railway station, post office, shopping arcade, cafeteria and an open - air theatre showing folk and mask dancing with clusters of palms overlooking everything.

Hikkaduwa
The first area to be developed for Tourism, this is still one of the most popular of our beach resorts. Hikkaduwa is famous for its coral and sub tropical fish. The reef, which runs parallel to the shore and is only a few meters below the water, can be investigated with snorkel and flippers, or in a glass-bottomed boat. There are several wrecks in the area which offer interesting dives. Scuba equipment and the services of licensed instructors are on hire from PADI centres. A little futher down the coast, there's good surf for board or body-surfing. There is a generally a community of international surfers in and around Hikkaduwa.

Galle and Koggala

South of Colombo, Galle is the most important southern town. It has an old world charm. Believed to be the "Tarshish of the Bible", its natural harbour was a famous fort in days gone by. Galle is famous for its Dutch fort, lace making, ebony carving and gem polishing.
Koggala beach is about 12 kms south of Galle. Stilt -Fisherman are a familiar sight here.

Nilaveli
Nilaveli is a prime beach resort in the East Coast. It is ideally suited for sun bathing, sea bathing and diving. A few metres off shore is a small rocky island good for snorkelling. Nilaveli was the venue for the 1985 International Fun Board Championships.