A top Sri Lankan military commander has reported that there have been no terrorist acts or deaths due to terrorism in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war last year.

Following over 25 years of on-and-off insurgency the government finally defeated the Tamil Tigers in May 2009. This victory has been followed by a period of stability, which promises much for the country’s burgeoning tourist industry.

Commander of the Wanni region, Major General Kamal Gunaratne explains how Sri Lankans are no longer “living in fear and anxiety”. During the height of the civil war family members often refrained from travelling together to avoid being targeted by terrorism, but such fears are no longer necessary.

Of the 295,000 Sri Lankans rescued from Tamil Tiger occupation, over 265,000 have been successfully resettled in their original habitats, marking an end to the dislocation and trauma of the preceding decades.

The peaceful environment has brought peace of mind and confidence to the people of Wanni and the country as a whole, and Gunaratne recognises the value of this progress: “No one could be permitted to spoil these great sacrifices, and it is the duty and responsibility of everyone to look after it”.

A stable Sri Lanka has meant reduced travel risks for tourists, making it the perfect time to visit this tropical island paradise.

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