"The immaculate perceptions of Sri Lanka presented to the West through holiday brochures, are merely a superficial insight into a country that has in recent history endured decades of fighting; firstly for its independence, then throughout a civil war that lasted for twenty five years. Finally, it had to reclaim life and its normalities back after the devastation caused by the Tsunami in 2004. However, underlying these hardships is a rich ancient culture based upon a foundation of Buddhist beliefs. Furthermore the island's geographical location means that, despite its small size, it is incredibly rich in biodiversity. It bodes a population who are both aware and active in the conservation, and in the celebration, of their culture and the beauty of their homeland."

"There is no denying that various influences from other continents are also having an impact. From Chinese electronic goods, to the usual European and American global brands, as well as Middle Eastern luxury lifestyle, there is something for everyone. For example, the Krrish Tower, Sri Lanka's tallest building, is a project that has now been approved and has already caused many controversies before even being built. It would, for the first time, offer luxury apartments shopping malls and a new lifestyle to the modernised society of this country."

"Now we are vacating our backyard for the Chinese to rebuild all of a booming post-war Sri Lanka"

", the street in the in which the 's office is situated, and which was the first I became acquainted with on landing, is decorated like many others in and , with shady avenues of a fine mallow, '; the large yellow or red blossoms strew the earth in every direction. Chatham Street also contains those shops which alone possessed any interest for me in all Colombo — windows full of photographs, and stalls with living animals. Within a few hours of my arrival in Ceylon, I had the very great pleasure of forming an idea, from the photographs in the windows, of the finest points in the wild highlands and the picturesque coast, as well as of the astounding marvels of its magnificent vegetation: s and , ' and s, tree-ferns, s, etc. Nor did I, naturally, find less attraction in making myself acquainted, before I had been many hours in the island, with some of its most interesting animals; above all, the apes, the dappled , the parrots and the gorgeously coloured pigeons."

"As far as tourists are concerned they have various destinations they can choose for their holiday. No tourist will come to a country where violence is taking place."

"So many people in Sri Lanka would not have had the opportunity for independent living had it not been for his [Robert Burns] continued efforts."

"I can sing about songs with gunshots in the background because I heard them. It's almost like my music has been a way to smoke out the hatred that's been bubbling underneath what's going on in Sri Lanka. If there's 300,000 people who are trapped and they're dying, it should be talked about, it should be brought to the table, and I don't see anything wrong in sticking up for 300,000 dying people."

"I have looked forward very much to a visit to this beautiful country. Although I have been here before, they were fleeting visits during which I was able to see only a little of this beautiful and historic Island. But this visit has afforded me the opportunity to see much more and I am gratified and happy to find here so many things that are common to Malaysia as well. I feel very much at home here."

"The ties of friendship between India and Sri Lanka go back centuries and have matured over time to include all areas of contemporary relevance. I am confident that the renewed vigour in the Sri Lankan polity under your leadership will not only allow you to realize your vision for Sri Lanka but also strengthen the partnership between India and Sri Lanka for the mutual benefit of the people of our two countries. I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that, as a close friend and neighbour, we support your vision for Sri Lanka."

"Had he come we would have been really happy. This decision is taken because of [India's] internal political reasons, but it will not affect the success of this programme, we don't think it is a problem."