‘Sri Lanka is a safe place for young backpackers, but is unfortunately very dirty’

25-year-old Laura Brancati

This is part of our series where we speak to young backpackers who travel to Sri Lanka to learn what we can from their youthful ideals, their globalised education and learn how they see the world, Sri Lanka and how they wish to leave their mark upon humanity, with positive change. Today we feature 25-year-old solo traveller, Laura Brancati who has been based in the United States for her high education in the area of Data Science and who is of Costa Rican and Italian mixed parentage.

Q: Do you identify mostly with Costa Rica or Italy? 

A: Both countries have its own beauty and meaning. I consider myself lucky to have lived in both and I love both homes equally, probably in different ways. I am drawn to the rich culture of Italy and the idyllic natural beauty of Costa Rica.

Q: What made you travel to Sri Lanka?

A: I have spent a lot of my adult years traveling and I have earned so far to enable me to travel. I chose Sri Lanka as part of my latest travel list as it is known to be a country with a lot of diversity within a small landmass where one can visit within a day.

Q: What areas have you visited in Sri Lanka?

A: I have visited the south of the country – the coast, the hills of Central Province and I hope I have time to travel up north. 

Q: What are your impressions of Sri Lanka?

A: Its natural beauty is remarkable. However I feel sad that there is so much of dirt, garbage and litter everywhere. I found the south of the country to be worse that the Central Province in terms of the garbage issue. 

Q: How do you see this problem of unsustainability globally?

A: It is a serious problem in how humans burden this home our earth with its garbage imprint. Although it is terribly sad how a beautiful place like Sri Lanka is ruined by this phenomena I find some parts of South Asia and Africa to be far worse.

Q: About how many countries have you been to so far?

A: I have travelled to about 30 countries such as Portugal, Morocco, Turkey, Oman, Hungary, and many African nations. 

Q: As a data analyst how would you recommend solving the garbage issue through data information?

A: I would begin by getting data about the most populace locations in a country and then working it out from there to map garbage disposal trends and issues through data collection. 

Q:How do you think countries which are very clean, work w ith data to ensure a sustainable nation?

A: Data science is how a social life is interpreted through statistics to handle or solve an issue. This works hand in hand with strong policies and setting in place a stringent legal system alongside social support for whatever it is that one is trying to solve. On the concern about irresponsible littering and disposing of trash, being strict with things like fines will not help if it is not assisted by regular and consisted garbage collection. Communities can be given incentives for being sustainable and most things that we throw can be transformed into something new. If we turn sustainability into a community business alterative very strategically, it will have an appeal. 

Q: Could you cite one of the comparatively cleanest locations in Sri Lanka.

A: Possibly Ella. 

Q: How safe do you feel in Sri Lanka as a solo female traveller?

A: Very safe. Sri Lanka is one of the best countries for young people to travel, especially for women. There are great hostels and public transport is very economical and safe, but it could be much cleaner. The bus stands are very dirty and clean public washrooms should be constructed.