Britain’s ‘Condé Nast Traveller’ has nominated Sri Lanka as one of the top five destinations to watch in 2012.

As per the travel experts of the magazine Sri Lanka will be among the hottest new holiday destination for travellers in the coming year. The magazine reveals that “One of the great joys of travel is the feeling you’ve discovered somewhere special, somewhere that’s all yours, for the first time – before the developers move in and the crowds descend. It could be a new and unexplored region, like the Arctic Circle, or an entire country that has been off-limits to tourists for political reasons, such as Sri Lanka and Burma.”

Tag-lining Sri Lanka as “The coasts less travelled” it has been placed third in the list of destinations ahead of Britain, Australia and Abu Dhabi. “You can find yourself the only tourist in the traditional villages, and the only person on some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. Indeed, those beaches on the east coast have fine sand and calm, clear waters, unlike the surf destinations on the West. This does, of course, mean top-class accommodation is still limited – but for many, finding charming guesthouses or rustic beach huts is all part of the adventure; and being first to discover a place never loses its thrill.”

December 2011 the busy streets of Colombo was invaded by mean machines....The inaugural Colombo Night Races took motor racing in Sri Lanka to another level with races taking place in the capital Colombo. The races saw both cars and motor bikes line up in different categories on a circuit that is drawn out from Colombo streets.

Different races were held for Minis, Fords, Mazdas, Honda Civics in addition to Super Cars and Formula Fords. The main feature was the combined race for GT3 and GT4 cars where top international competitors drove exotic racing machines. Fans got the opportunity to see Aston Martins, Porsches, BMWs, Moslers, Lamborghinis and other racing cars competing on home soil.

Nearly 6,000 elephants had been found in an island wide census which ended in August this year. "There could be around 1000 more," said Mr Ratnayaka, Director general of Sri Lanka's wildlife department "It cannot be a reduction. If at all it has to be an increase in the population" . The Wildlife Department said information on elephant range and numbers are vital for the effective conservation and management of elephants in Sri Lanka and to minimize human elephant conflict. 

The count conducted found 5,879 wild elephants, of which 122 are tuskers and 1,107 calves. Researchers says that tuskers are rare in Sri Lanka as a percentage of the total population. The survey had been conducted using the "water hole count" method. Approx 4,000 wildlife workers, farmers and villagers had been deployed for three days at more than 1,500 locations across the country to survey the elephants as they come to water sources for a drink.  Previous elephant counts were confined to specific regions and one such census, in 1993, had found 1,967 elephants (but it excluded the island's north and east).

In its annual awards this year The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, UK, named Sri Lanka the ‘Best value for money destination for 2011’. This Magazine is the Travel news arm of the Sunday Times UK.

“Our readers – real people who take real holidays, with credit card limits and real annual leave allowances” The editor Ed Grenby says describing its readership. “With a 16.03% increase Year on Year, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine remains the travel title of choice for both readers and advertisers alike” The Publisher Sandy Whetton express her opinion.

“ Sri Lanka still feels undiscovered- remarkable country with glossy – brochure beaches, thrumming jungle, elephant adventures, tea plantations and eight world heritage sites…” -  In naming Sri Lanka winner the Value For Money VFM awards citation reads.

Sri Lanka's President on Sunday (27th Nov) unveiled the island's first expressway, linking the capital and the southern city of Galle. 

The four-lane highway links the island's southern port city of Galle with Colombo and has eight entry points. The maximum speed on the highway is set at 100 Km per hour enabling the motorists to reach Galle in approx an hour. In the second phase of the development the expressway will be extended to Matara. The segment from Galle to Matara is sceduled to open for public in 2013, also preliminary plans to extend the Southern expressway up to Hambantota and Kataragama are said to be finalized.

The Victoria Golf & Country Resort won the 'Best Golf Course in Sub - Continent' award for the fifth time this year, on the 12th edition of the Asian Golf Awards 2011.  

A 24 strong panel of judges had evaluated the voting of the readership of the Asian Golf Magazine, to arrive at the winners. This year’s Golf Awards was held at the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall in Thailand on 2nd of November 2011.

Serendib Leisure in partnership with Minor International, announced the opening of the first-ever Avani property – Avani Bentota Resort and Spa on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. 

Commencing operations on 1st December 2011, Avani Bentota Resort and Spa (the former Hotel Serendib Bentota) has undergone an extensive Rs. 650 Mn. refurbishment and now exudes a contemporary ambiance. Located on the best beach strip along Sri Lanka’s western coastline, 64 kilometres from Colombo and 96 kilometres from the Bandaranaike International Airport, the new-look hotel offers the ultimate in relaxed comfort and contemporary style. Facilities include 75 guest rooms and suites, three bars and two restaurants, accompanied by private dining options on the beach. Complementing this is the chic Cigar and Wine Lounge, while meeting rooms seat up to 100 people.

This strategic move marks reputed hotel operator Serendib Leisure’s efforts to revamp its hospitality offering to cater to the constantly evolving needs of local and international travellers. This seamlessly blends with the Minor Hotel Group’s ambitious plans to launch their newest international hotel brand – Avani Resort and Spas, with the first hotel opening in Sri Lanka. The reputed Thailand-based hotel group operates the famed ‘Anantara’ brand of hotels, resorts and spas and is a significant player in the global hospitality industry.

The Avani Bentota Resort and Spa was originally designed by Sri Lanka’s celebrated architect Geoffrey Bawa, regarded as one of the most influential Asian architects of the 20th century. Although the refurbished property reflects a modern and chic ambiance, it still retains Bawa’s signature style and offers an inimitable Dutch-colonial charm.