The HMS Hermes is unique in that she was the only ship sunk in battle. It was dawn on April 9, 1942 when 70 Japanese dive bombers attacked the HMS Hermes. Within 10 minutes the ship had taken 40 hits. It capsized and disappeared beneath the waves with 307 of its crew. Sixty years later, the Hermes is just one of the wrecks that forms a divers' paradise around Batticaloa, on the east coast of Sri Lanka.

Wrecks are a particular attraction of Sri Lankan diving. The island has long been on international trade routes - including the spice and tea runs between Europe and East Asia - and over the centuries its treacherous coastline has claimed many ships.

Sri Lanka is affected by the seasonal monsoon winds which has an enormous effect on the diving seasons. The west coast is best dived from November to April with the east coast May through to October.