These 5 Bollywood songs broke the usual mould by filming in scenic international spots — from icy Iceland to majestic Machu Picchu.
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Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is currently facing a significant slowdown in growth for the second consecutive month, with the month of July 2025 presenting a marked deceleration in arrival numbers. The country, known for its lush landscapes, pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage, has seen a sharp drop in momentum compared to the previous months of 2025. This change has …
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When the government of Sri Lanka published the National Red List of threatened plants in 2020, my eyebrows shot up. We’ve all become accustomed, after all, to the grim news these reports periodically bring us. But here it was, in black and white: 128 species, not having been recorded in surveys conducted during the past century, were assessed as “possibly extinct,” …
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Founder’s Briefs: An occasional series where Mongabay founder Rhett Ayers Butler shares analysis, perspectives and story summaries. In a move hailed as a long-overdue conservation victory, Sri Lanka has formally declared Nilgala — a sweeping mosaic of grasslands, forests and sacred sites — as a protected forest reserve, reports contributor Malaka Rodrigo for Mongabay. Spanning more than 40,000 hectares (100,000 acres), Nilgala is now …
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For the perfect blend of wildlife and culture, and the chance to explore Yala’s quieter Block V with deeply personalised safaris and private river access. Bonus: you’re in Kataragama, one of the island’s most spiritually diverse towns, where Hindu, Buddhist and Vedda traditions overlap. Set the scene The Warden’s House is tucked into a seven-acre stretch on the banks of …
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With a single tusk that made him stand out, the majestic bull elephant Unicorn was a true king among the wild herds of Minneriya, a biodiversity hotspot in the island’s north-central region, globally known as the home of the world’s largest gathering of elephants. At dusk, Unicorn would often be seen alongside female elephants — a breathtaking sight that left an …
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Ella, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations, draws scores of foreign visitors who come to admire its natural beauty and marvel at engineering wonders like the famous nine-arched bridge, also known as the “Bridge in the Sky.” But in February, those visitors witnessed a very different scene — not the lush greenery they expected, but massive flames of orange …
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In the heart of Sri Lanka, far away from the bustle of the beaches or the calm of the cultural sites, is a region where the fragrance of tea wafts gently in the air. This is the Hill Country, where a new hiking trail connects visitors with locals, and showcases the story of Ceylon tea to the world. The Pekoe Trail runs for over …
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If you want to travel abroad, Dubai can be a great destination for you. The first foreign trip becomes memorable for life. This journey always remains in your mind. People who are planning to go abroad for the first time have a different excitement about their trip. In such a situation, if you are planning to visit Dubai, here is …
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The recently opened Pekoe Trail, which runs for more than 300km through tea plantations, villages and forests, tells the story of Sri Lanka’s complex and chequered tea history. The sun is bright and harsh on my face when I stop to admire the view – okay, to catch my breath – at the top of the steep path. How is …
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