Visiting to Sri Lanka? Read this article.

Sri Lanka authorities are being tough on people who don't respect the religion Buddhism. So take care not to get involved in these types of activities when you are going there or while you are over there.

Better to have a local guide by your side, as he can advise on many things. Never use public transport and if you like to do so, then see which seats are reserved for clergy, pregnant women and disable people. Avoid these seats as you have to offer them the seat if any of them come in the vehicle.

Sri Lanka bars Buddha tattoo Briton for 'disrespect'

Sri Lanka has denied entry to a British tourist at Colombo's international airport because he showed a lack of respect for Buddhism, reports say.

An immigration official told a local newspaper that when the man was asked about a tattoo of Buddha on his arm he had spoken "very disrespectfully".

Such views would have been a "threat to his own safety" in Sri Lanka, he added.

The authorities are tough on perceived insults to Buddhism - the religion of the island's majority ethnic Sinhalese.

Last year, three French tourists were given suspended prison sentences for taking photographs that showed them pretending to kiss a statue of Buddha at a temple.

Here.

Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport opens.

Today 18, March 2013, would be a red letter day in Sri Lanka's aviation sector when Sri Lanka opens its second international airport. (MRIA) MRIA, Hambantota, Sri Lanka's second 'Gateway' to the world, springs new hopes, aspirations, ambitions and excitement for Sri Lanka's aviation industry, business, trade and leisure sectors, opening up a major growth opportunity for SriLankan Airlines.

The new airport would fulfill one of the longest infrastructure needs of the local aviation sector, a second international airport. Previously, airlines had to carry additional fuel and used to have back up plans in case they were unable to land in Colombo and with the opening of the MRIA, this major problem has been solved thus giving the airline additional savings.

Minster of Civil Aviation, Piyankara Jayaratne, said that one of the main reasons to build MRIC in Hambantota was the demand from the tourism sector where tourists wanted to start their tour by visiting wild life parks, (Yala) enjoy the sunny beaches in the Eastern province, cool themselves in the hill country, see the historic city of Kandy, followed by the cultural triangle and return via the Elephant orphanage in Pinnawela and finally enjoying the entertainment and shopping in Colombo, before departing.

The Mattala airport will also support the international cricket stadium, convention centre, harbour and most importantly the emerging economic zone and the International IT Park. MIRA will also be the only available air strip that could land the world's largest aircraft, A380.