In The Times yesterday, correspondent Jeremy Page argued that Britons should not visit Sri Lanka.

In his article Defeat of the Tigers is welcome: the conduct of the war is not, Page said: "Britain has helped to rebuild Sri Lanka's tourist industry: Britons accounted for 18.5 per cent of the foreigners who visited the former colony's famous beaches, wildlife parks, tea plantations and Buddhist temples last year. Only India sends more tourists. Many Britons also own property there, especially around the southern city of Galle, not far from where Arthur C.Clarke, the British science fiction writer who settled in Sri Lanka, used to love to scuba dive. The question facing British shoppers and holidaymakers is this: should they continue to support Sri Lanka's garment and tourist industries? Sadly, the answer must be no."

Today, the head of Sri Lanka's tourism industry in Britain presents his own view. Let us know what you think below:

"It is always challenging when politics and tourism become intertwined. For the past 10 years tourists have been coming to Sri Lanka despite the breakdown of the ceasefire, terrorist activity and the continued civil war.

Following the devastation of the Tsunami to Sri Lanka's Tourism Industry, British aid and support helped to rebuild the industry.

Tourism is the lifeline of Sri Lanka's economy, it has and will even more in the future affect every member of the Sri Lankan community and their ability to rebuild their lives. The government has plans to develop the Northern areas as a priority to attract new tourism products and visitors into this part of the country and with it income for the local population.

By recommending that the largest producer of tourists to the country boycotts future holidays in Sri Lanka will only make the lives of the displaced community, the local tourism industry and the population in general harder to rebuild.

After the Tsunami the Sri Lanka Tourism, Industry strove to rebuild its infrastructure and business successfully with the assistance of the British Travel Trade despite the civil unrest in the North of the country.

Now at last Sri Lanka can offer a completely peaceful, terrorist free option and tourists will know that their money is contributing to the rebuilding of the community as a whole.

On behalf of Sri Lanka's Tourism industry I would like to thank our British tourists for their support over the past years. With peace comes hope for a revitalised tourism product and they will be able to return to explore even more of our beautiful country.

Some of the island's most beautiful beaches will once more be accessible in the east such as Passikudah and Trincomalee, while Arugam Bay is famous as one of the most prominent surfing destinations in the world. Yala National Park, home to leopard and elephant, will also be reopened to tourists.

As part of Sri Lanka Tourism's new strategy there will be several annual events organised over the next year including the Hikkaduwa Beach Fest in July, the Jazz Festival in October, Negombo Beach Fest in December and the Tea Festival scheduled for next year.

With the 2 for 1 holiday deals still in the market for all bookings during June for travel up to the end of October, now is the time to come to Sri Lanka, enjoy our warm welcome and be part of a peaceful future."

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