The Pearl of the Indian Ocean is a true gem. Two wonderful weeks on this island, twenty odd miles from India has shown me how to enjoy the simplicity of life where expectations are far lower than here in the UK. The warm welcome given by everybody we met, from young to old, the sight of children running up to greet you with smiles on their faces and genuine joy and fascination made this a most memorable experience.
As you travel through this magical island there’s a tremendous contrast in scenery and climate. This brings its own complexities when trying to grow crops, from the rice paddy fields to the tea plantations. We learned about the various challenges of growing different crops and just how totally reliant they are on an agrarian economy. It was evident though that tourism is growing and providing them with a much-needed revenue stream. This is encouraging although one would hope that Sri Lanka doesn’t suffer from tourist overdevelopment.
The tour guide kept referring to the island’s current economic troubles which stem from the mismanagement of government and its reluctance over many years to tax its population. The country has been funded by foreign loans and they received a bailout from the IMF but foreign aid was withdrawn in the pandemic as other countries turned their attention to their own shores. Sri Lanka faces economic collapse if they don’t start taxing, but the population are now so used to low or zero taxation, it’s going to take a lot of convincing to change this situation. After all, who likes paying tax? The government fears riots and protests at a time when they are only just recovering from the problems of the past when civil war wrecked havoc across the country. It’s amazing the people are still so smiley and friendly.
In the modern era it is disconcerting to feel the people were being so respectful and subservient to us. This felt like a kick-back to the days of the British Empire and Raj. They are our equals not our servants and we don’t need to be referred to as sir and madam or bowed to. They are such a lovely, warm people who all go out of their way to make you feel welcome and help you in any way they can.
People often ask when you return from a trip what the highlight was and in this case I can honestly say I cannot single out any one experience or place. They were all tremendous in their own right and so unique that it would be unfair. From the glorious sandy beaches, the humid rainforest, the misty tea hills to the game reserve and the sweeping views from high rocks every turn was breathtaking and gave a new dimension for the eyes to feast on.
This island is definitely worth a visit. One would not be disappointed.