Sri Lanka

Philip Briggs (www.philipbriggs.com) is one of the world's most experienced and knowledgeable guidebook writers, having been researching and writing guides for Bradt and other well-known publishers for 30 years. In 1991, he wrote the Bradt Guide to South Africa, the first such guidebook to be published internationally after the release of Nelson Mandela. Over the rest of the 1990s, Philip wrote a series of pioneering Bradt travel guides to African destinations (Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Ghana, Rwanda) that were then - and in some cases still are - otherwise practically uncharted by the travel publishing industry. More recently, he authored the first dedicated English-language guidebook to Somaliland, as well as a new guide to The Gambia, both published by Bradt. Turning his attention now to both South America and Asia, he has written Bradt guides to Suriname and Sri Lanka. Philip spends at least four months on the road every year.

Introduction
PART 1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 History and Background
History, Government and politics, Economy, National flag, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture
Chapter 2 The Natural World
Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation
Chapter 3 Practical Information
When to visit, Itineraries, Tour operators, Tourist information, Red tape, Getting there and away, Security and safety, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette
Chapter 4 Health and Safety
Preparations, Common medical problems, Other safety concerns

PART 2 COLOMBO AND SURROUNDS
Chapter 5 Colombo
History, Orientation, Getting there and away, Getting around, Crime and safety, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Bars and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Muthurajawela Wetland Sanctuary
Chapter 6 The Coast from Negombo to Kalpitiya
Negombo, Waikkal, Chilaw and surrounds, Puttalam, The Kalpitiya Peninsula
Chapter 7 Inland of Colombo
The A1 towards Kandy and Kurunegala, Kurunegala and surrounds, Avissawella and the Kelani Valley Railway
Chapter 8 The Western Resort Coast: Bentota, Kosgoda and Hikkaduwa
Kalutara and surrounds, Bentota and surrounds, The coast from Kosgoda to Ambalangoda and Madu Wetlands, Hikkaduwa,

PART 3 THE CULTURAL TRIANGLE
Chapter 9 Dambulla, Sigiriya and Surrounds
Dambulla, Historic sites south and west of Dambulla, Sigiriya, Habarana, The elephant parks: Minneriya, Kaudulla and Hurulu
Chapter 10 Polonnaruwa
History, Orientation, Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, Tour operators and bicycle hire, What to see and do, Around Polonnaruwa
Chapter 11 Anuradhapura and Surrounds
History, Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Mihintale Monastery, Thanthirimale Temple, Wilpattu National Park

PART 4 NORTHERN AND EASTERN PROVINCES
Chapter 12 Northern Province
Mannar Island, Jaffna
Chapter 13 Eastern Province
When to visit, Further information, Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Batticaloa, Ampara and Gal Oya National Park, Arugam Bay

PART 5 KANDY AND THE HILL COUNTRY
Chapter 14 Kandy and Surrounds
History, Getting there and away, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Mahiyanganaya and surrounds
Chapter 15 High Hill Country: Adam's Peak, Nuwara Eliya and Ella, Hatton, Adam's Peak and Nallathanniya, Nuwara Eliya, Horton Plains National Park, Haputale, Bandarawela, Ella
Chapter 16, Low Hill Country: Kitulgala, Ratnapura and Sinharaja
Kitulgala, Ratnapura, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Kanneliya Forest Reserve

PART 6 GALLE AND THE DEEP SOUTH
Chapter 17 Tissamaharama and the Southern Safari Circuit
Embilipitiya, Udawalawe National Park, Wellawaya, Buttala, Kataragama, Tissamaharama, Kirinda, Yala National Park, Bundala National Park, Hambantota
Chapter 18, The Southern Resort Coast: Tangalle, Matara and Weligama Bay
Tangalle, Towards Matara, Matara and surrounds, Mirissa, Weligama and Midigama
Chapter 19, Galle and Surrounds
History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Unawatuna and the Rumassala Peninsula, The coast east to Koggala

Appendix 1 Language
Appendix 2 Glossaries
General glossary, Annotated glossary of key historical, legendary and mythical figures
Appendix 3 Further information
Index