Extending after Sri Lanka Maldives or South India which adds more

Different vibes entirely. Maldives is a beach/honeymoon reset, primarily resort-island life: snorkelling, overwater bungalows, ~1.5 hour flight from CMB to MLE, but expensive once you land (a typical mid-range resort week runs 2,000+ USD before flights and the cheap "local island" guesthouses are far more modest). South India (Kerala in particular) is culture-and-food rich and pairs beautifully with Sri Lanka: Kerala backwaters, Fort Kochi, hill stations and Ayurveda, plus excellent food and warmth, at a fraction of the Maldives price. Flights to Cochin (COK) from Colombo run from around 100 to 250 USD one-way on SriLankan/IndiGo/Air India and are short. For pure relaxation, Maldives. For another rich travel week with more variety, Kerala. Many travelers do CMB to COK as a slow extension because it feels like a natural continuation.