Tourists won’t put up with bombs and random violence.

I am writing this on my laptop in the thatched dining area of our cabanas in Tangalle, Sri Lanka, safe in the knowledge that we are the only guests here.

Given the rising level of violence, and the refusal of both sides to make concessions in peace talks, it is no surprise that tourists haven’t exactly been flocking to this fabled isle.

And after the LTTE attack on the Galle naval harbour last month, there have been massive cancellations.

Long considered safe, the attack on Galle demonstrated yet again the long reach of the Tigers.