Sri Lanka has long been acknowledged as a great holiday destination. But in 2004 it fell victim to nature’s fury when the boxing-day tsunami caused mass devastation. Still the exotic island came back fighting and is once again a tourism hotspot. Here are the top five reasons to visit.

1. Beaches
If you’re ideal holiday consists of lying on a beach with a good book and a long drink then this is the place to be. Sri Lanka is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And with the tropical climate you can chill out on the sand to your hearts content.

2. Sports
Then again, if lying on a beach doing very little is anything but your ideal holiday then worry not. There are plenty of adventure sports available in Sri Lanka, including mountain biking, rafting and rock climbing. There are also a host of water sports on offer.

3. History
If you’re into history then you can’t go far wrong here. Sri Lanka is home to seven world heritage sites including the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya and the golden temple of Dambulla.

4. Sights
Kandy is the second biggest city in Sri Lanka and is known as the Royal City. It is famous for its stunning landscapes and is home to The Golden Temple. It is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations.

5. Culture
Religion is a big part of the Sri Lankan culture and the island is home to plenty of temples, mosques and churches. There are also several religious festivals which take place on the island and draw crowds form all over the world.