COLOMBO ~ Sri Lanka’s hopes of attracting 600,000 tourists last year were dashed as fighting between troops and Tiger rebels discouraged foreign holiday makers from visiting the island, officials said.

Adverse travel warnings from Western governments also kept away would-be holidaymakers, officials said, noting that 559,603 tourists visited the island last year, down from an expected 600,000.

Government troops and Tamil Tiger rebels locked in combat are spooking visitors, with hotel occupancy rates down to around 45-50 percent, the Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka said.