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Rating: 
Summary: A trusted resource
Review: A good guide from a good company. Not too much has changed from the previous edition though - there are some more detailed maps of Colombo.
Rating:
Summary: Great guide
Review: I traveled to Sri Lanka for New Year's 2004, and found the information contained to be extremely helpful. Especially the accommodation information. When I arrived to Sri Lanka, I had nothing planned - and was going to hire a driver to take me around. Finding a driver, we sat down to plan the trip, book the hotels etc... I was able to compare the prices listed in the Lonely Planet Guide with those quoted and used the book to bargain the prices down - it was great! Most of the stuff in the guide was tourist orientated - where I prefer to take the road less traveled. I definitely recommend getting this guide before you head over - and read it over a few times before getting there, it will help you out heaps!
Rating:
Summary: useful and informative
Review: I used the latest edition of this book (published August 2003) while travelling around Sri Lanka for a month in November 2003. I found the information in the book to be accurate and easy to find. Like most Lonely Planet guide books its strength is detailed logistical information such as bus and train times, accommodation and opening times. The only negative point is that sometimes the historical and background information is a little vague and lacks specific dates. Still I would thoroughly recommend this book for any independent traveller in Sri Lanka. It will save you time and money and help you enjoy your holiday even more.
Rating: 
Summary: The Pearl of the Orient
Review: Sri Lanka is an island of exceptional beauty -- but there is trouble in paradise. For two decades the island has been torn apart by violence between the two largest ethnic groups, Buddhist Sinhalese and Hindu Tamils. One of my most vivid memories of Colombo was a march of Buddhist monks carrying signs with political sentiments such as, "Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country." The Tamil Tigers, on their part, will probably be remembered as virtuoso suicide bombers. So much for "tolerant" Asian religions.
Most of the violence has now ceased and the traveler need not be concerned with it, although traveling by land from Colombo to Jaffna in the north one has to pass along a dirt highway lined in places with minefields. Military fortresses will also be encountered along main highways.
I'm not much of a beach fan, although that's why most tourists go to Sri Lanka. Given the ravages of the tsunami most of the beach resorts on the South and East coasts have probably been damaged. So this is an excellent time to go to Sri Lanka to see the beautiful tea estates in the cool, cloudy hill country and the Buddhist monuments near the center of the island. For the sand and sea set, some decent beach resorts near Colombo on the West coast were probably not affected by the Tsunami.
The Lonely Planet Guide sums up the many attractions of this beautiful country. As always, it includes reliable information on history and practical matters plus sidebars on interesting subjects such as birds, turtles, train schedules, and 101 uses for a coconut.
Smallchief
Rating:
Summary: Lonley Planet Sri Lanka is an Excellent Resource.
Review: This book goes into deep detail about Sri Lanka. Being a Sri Lankan myself resideing in Australia. I found this book defintely worth taking on your trip. The best thing about the book is, that as new devolpements come, the Lonley Planet website allows you to upgrade (free of charge) the information in it, by you downloading the new revised pages. As long you keep the book updated the book will always have the latest information. This is not-only this guide book, but for all of Lonley Planets guide books. Normally I would give this book 4 stars, but for this feature alone 5 stars is worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: Lonley Planet Sri Lanka is an Excellent Resource.
Review: This book goes into deep detail about Sri Lanka. Being a Sri Lankan myself resideing in Australia. I found this book defintely worth taking on your trip. The best thing about the book is, that as new devolpements come, the Lonley Planet website allows you to upgrade (free of charge) the information in it, by you downloading the new revised pages. As long you keep the book updated the book will always have the latest information. This is not-only this guide book, but for all of Lonley Planets guide books. Normally I would give this book 4 stars, but for this feature alone 5 stars is worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Guide for the Independant Traveler
Review: This well-organized, chatty yet meaty guide book is all you need to assist you on a trip to Sri Lanka. We went to Sri Lanka in the high season (February, when the place is full of Germans and other Europeans) and the only reservation we made in advance was two nights at the Galle Face Hotel (see Columbo chapter, where to stay, top end), a fabulous old relic of colonial architecture. With the help of the Lonely Planet, we "winged" everything else: train tickets to Kandy, car rental, dive trips & bungalows on the southwestern beaches. Sri Lanka is a diverse, fabulous place to explore, and the Lonely Planet made it super easy. Great historical chapter "Facts About the Country" makes for good reading while you're waiting for your cold lassi to come to the table.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Guide for the Independant Traveler
Review: This well-organized, chatty yet meaty guide book is all you need to assist you on a trip to Sri Lanka. We went to Sri Lanka in the high season (February, when the place is full of Germans and other Europeans) and the only reservation we made in advance was two nights at the Galle Face Hotel (see Columbo chapter, where to stay, top end), a fabulous old relic of colonial architecture. With the help of the Lonely Planet, we "winged" everything else: train tickets to Kandy, car rental, dive trips & bungalows on the southwestern beaches. Sri Lanka is a diverse, fabulous place to explore, and the Lonely Planet made it super easy. Great historical chapter "Facts About the Country" makes for good reading while you're waiting for your cold lassi to come to the table.
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