More tourist arrivals in East

by Kathankudy correspondent

The number of local and foreign tourist arrivals has increased in the Eastern Province during the past two months, sources said.

Several scenic beach locations in the Eastern Province, which were devastated for three decades due to LTTE terrorism and the tsunami disaster, are now attracting tourists in large numbers, the sources said. The Pasikudah Beach, which is well known for its calm atmosphere, is packed with local tourists.

The hotels and restaurants which were not in use for the past three decades are currently having good business, according to sources.

Surfing in Arugam Bay in the Eastern region is also attracting a large number of foreigners. The hotels in the area are active again after three decades, the sources said. Hotels on the Nilaveli Beach in Trincomalee have also been rebuilt with the increase in the number of tourist arrivals in the region, the sources said.

During LTTE terrorism, potential tourist spots in the Eastern province remained inaccessible with continuous clashes on the ground as well as in the seas.