Sri Lanka is a beautiful island nation located in the Indian Ocean, just south of India. In 2003, Sri Lanka was still recovering from a long civil war that had raged for over two decades. The conflict had primarily been between the Sri Lankan government, which is predominantly Sinhalese, and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Tamil separatist group. The war had left deep scars on the country, with thousands of people killed, and many more injured and displaced.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Sri Lanka remained a popular tourist destination in 2003, with visitors drawn to its pristine beaches, ancient temples, and lush forests. The country also had a rich cultural heritage, with influences from India, China, and Southeast Asia.
In 2003, Sri Lanka’s economy was largely based on agriculture and exports, with tea, rubber, and coconut being the primary exports. The country was also starting to develop its tourism industry, with new hotels and resorts being built to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
Overall, 2003 was a year of both challenges and opportunities for Sri Lanka, as the country worked to rebuild and move forward after years of conflict.