The remains of a young British journalist was discovered on Friday after a crocodile dragged him away close to a popular surfing spot in Sri Lanka.

The journalist, Paul McClean, 24, who was with a group of friends, was dragged away on Thursday close to Arugam Bay, 400 kilometres south-east of the capital, police quoted eyewitnesses as saying.

“Navy divers found the body in a lagoon.

“The body had clear marks on one of the legs to show that he had been dragged away by a crocodile,” a police officer at Panama police station in the area said.

McClean worked for the Financial Times newspaper and was touring Sri Lanka with his friends when the incident occurred.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and loved ones,” James Lamont, the newspaper’s Managing Editor, said.

He added: “We are in touch with them, doing all we can to help during this difficult time.”

Lamont described McClean as “a talented, energetic and dedicated young journalist”, who had “a great career ahead of him at Financial Times.”

A post-mortem to determine the exact cause of death was under way, after which the body would be flown back to Britain, police said.

Arugam Bay is one of the most popular surfing spots in Sri Lanka and attracts a large number of tourists at this time of year. (NAN)