Hi Ken,

Latest status I have is from November-December, from Dutch-Lankan aid workers helping tsunami victims with more or less social work. They had a focus on Ampara-Batticaloa but had to move away from there because of too many interracial tensions.

Guess where they temporarily moved too, and continued their work: Arugam Bay and surroundings.

Two weeks later they could return to Ampara.

So it is clearly not as bad as Ampara, and we're recommending Arugam clearly more than Nilaveli (because of Trinco, no troubles at all at Nilaveli itself).

That's all what we can say - no more recent stories and neither personal experience. So if you were you I'd book for Arugam and have a plan-B ready, e.g. Yala Safari Village hotel which _does_ have a beach and the same good weather in July.

We wish you wisdom,

<Erik> & [Sandya]

Hi Ken-like yourself, we travel to Sri Lanka a lot and were last there for the whole of Feb. The security situation has changed dramatically (for the better) in the last 6 months. If we had taken the advice of the British Foreign office and Sri Lankan tour operators-we would have missed out on one of the highlights of our last stay-that being the East coast-and Batticaloa: if I was cynical(!) I would call it a political act-be wary of the East and all it's problems. In reality we found no problems: friendly people who welcomed us with more hospitality than we have received in any other part of the Island, amazing scenery all round and never once did we feel "at risk". We are returning ourselves in July/August and are heading not just for the East-but also to Jaffna and I whole heartedly recommend you jump at the chance to visit the East if you can get it: you will not be disappointed. If you need the contact for a willing tour guide/driver-just let me know. Rgds-Netski