It would be easy for the tourist to assume there are only two faces to Sri Lanka... rich and poor. Actually, there is a vibrant, well educated middle class. I was fortunate to be invited to a family's home, where I experienced the true charm and hospitality that is behind the walls. An ex-pat with long experience here predicted that it will take two years for this country to start getting back to something like normalcy. But the stock market is already taking off. The potential for global business is obvious in a country where just about every school kid learns English under the British model of education. It is the official year of learning IT and English, with even Bill Gates joining in. The fate of the displaced people in the war zones is still a matter of dispute and poses a serious challenge for NGOs and the government alike.Another challenge ahead is democracy in the post-war era. Elections are coming up and it would be a great time to come back here for media training.
A final tip of the hat to a tuk tuk driver named Riswan who went out of his way to help me on an unusual shopping errand to find a special gift for my son.
This was such a refreshing change from the ripoff atmosphere that I experienced in the area around the hotels, and a small glimpse of the hospitality that this country has to offer for those who take the time to seek it out.
The drive to the airport was a last opportunity to admire the diversity here... symbols of buddhist, hindu, christian and muslim faith side by side.
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