Low prices, few tourists and fantastic beaches – Sri Lanka is finally back on the holiday map after an almost complete standstill of tourism

Rarely have so few spent so little money to acquire such luxury as Sri Lanka now offers.

After the British government gave the green light to travel to the country, tourists are being offered unprecedented bargains after tourism was almost completely halted earlier this year amid fears of civil unrest and food shortages.

These fears appear to be exaggerated and short-lived.

I just spent two weeks in Sri Lanka, a country I have always loved, and I was amazed at what I found. As one tourism chief put it, “This is the only country in the world that addresses revolutionary anger with flowers, kindness and friendliness.”

In fact, the kindness may be even more evident than it was before the corrupt government started wrecking the economy.

Moreover, Sri Lankans are delighted that Britain has its first British Asian Prime Minister. “We hope Rishi will come here and send us more tourists,” says the manager of Lakshmi Jewels, a boutique in Galle, the beautiful former Portuguese fortified city 40 miles west of Tangalle.

It is certainly easier to get here compared to India, where British citizens now take three weeks and appear in person at a consulate to get a tourist visa. You will receive your digital visa to enter Sri Lanka within 36 hours.

Mary visited Galle, the beautiful former Portuguese fortified town 65 kilometers west of Tangalle

fishermen in Galle. Sri Lanka needs tourism like never before, reveals Mary

A dancer in traditional dress at a Buddhist festival in Galle

Go now and you will see that many hotels are almost empty, most of them have 10 percent occupancy, but bookings are slowly increasing.

The most luxurious hotel in southern Sri Lanka, the Peace Haven Anantara, near Tangalle, heroically accommodated its 340 staff, including sushi and Italian chefs. Peacocks still roam the lawns and giant monitor lizards bask in the sun. In January and February you can book a room here for around £239 a night.

The magnificent beaches of Tangalle are deserted. Small bars offer grilled lobster for £15. It’s an incredible bargain season for western travelers.

The cost of a tailored shirt at Numesh Tailors is £3; Linen trousers are £9 at Sanu Fashion. Fresh papayas and pineapples are offered as complimentary desserts.

Pictured is the “most luxurious hotel in southern Sri Lanka”, the Peace Haven Anantara, near Tangalle

The beautiful beaches of Tangalle (above) are deserted, says Mary

But there is no doubt that many hotels and businesses are struggling. Some guesthouses are closed. In Galle there are a lot of motley backpackers, only a few more expensive people visit the shops or the somewhat eccentric maritime museum.

Tourist hunger is great even in the quiet coastal town. A delicious curry and a Lion pint is just £10 at The Spice Chest restaurant.

The Amangalle, the chic boutique hotel with staff in white uniforms, has reduced rates by up to 30 percent from peak rates.

Jenny Hope, a retired teacher from Sheffield, is a rare, middle-class British traveler enjoying her £40-a-night room at the Parawa Guest Hotel. “I can get a thali meal for £8 and a 10 minute tuk tuk taxi for £1. It’s safer and sunnier than any other Yorkshire town I can name,” she says.

Mary sought out the rare native leopards of Yala National Wildlife Park (above).

Sri Lanka always offers unlimited sunshine and kindness. And there are wild animals too.

After two days of spa and sand at the Peace Haven Hotel, we drove to Yala National Wildlife Park on the southeast coast of the Indian Ocean, near Hambantota. Looking for the rare native leopard is like visiting Kipling’s Jungle Book, with its dense green floors, watering holes where elephants, wild boars and peacocks cool off, and trees where monkeys chatter and swing. And right now there are more leopards than tourists.

Before flying back from the capital, Colombo, we stayed one night at The Wallawwa Hotel, just 15 minutes from the airport.

Mary flew back to the UK from the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo

This tranquil villa is the perfect antidote to airport hell. Rooms cost £180 a night, which is slightly more than before the pandemic as taxes have risen due to the economic crisis, but is still lower than similar hotels in places like Mauritius.

Sri Lanka needs tourism like never before. His people are suffering. The good news is that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs no longer advises against visiting this beautiful country and Sri Lanka has lifted all of its Covid-19 restrictions on foreign arrivals.

My advice is to get there sooner rather than later.