By Mewati Sitaram
Indian tourists planning a trip to Sri Lanka have reason for reassurance, as the island nation’s tourism sector has returned to normal operations following last week’s extreme weather. Authorities have confirmed that major tourist destinations, transport networks and airports are fully functional, and that no foreign visitor was harmed during the disruption.
Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Tourism Deputy Minister of Sri Lanka, said, “The impact of Cyclone Ditwah, the most powerful storm to hit Sri Lanka in nearly two decades, had been largely contained due to swift recovery measures. The cyclone had triggered widespread flooding, power outages and disruptions to water supply and telecommunications across several districts, including Badulla and other upcountry regions.
Addressing safety and access concerns, Ranasinghe said all major Class A and B roads, including key routes linking Colombo–Nuwara Eliya and Badulla–Mahiyanganaya, have been cleared, with only a few interior roads partially affected. He cited the reopening of Mahiyanganaya Hospital within three days of being submerged for over 60 hours as evidence of the speed of recovery.
The deputy minister also clarified that the recent state of emergency declaration had been misread internationally, saying it was intended to fast-track funding and mobilise assistance, not due to any deterioration in conditions.
Tourist arrivals, he said, remained steady during the period, with no foreign visitor affected. Around 60 calls were received on the 1912 tourism emergency hotline, all of which were resolved or coordinated with foreign missions.
Major tourist hubs, including the Cultural Triangle, Yala, Ella, Nuwara Eliya and the southern coast, are operating normally, with wildlife parks and heritage sites reopened. A cruise ship carrying over 2,000 passengers also docked shortly after the cyclone.
While tourism has stabilised, authorities are focusing on restoring public infrastructure. In Badulla district, 26 schools were damaged and are expected to reopen within two to three weeks. Ranasinghe urged the media and industry stakeholders to share accurate updates, stressing that tourism remains a key economic pillar and Sri Lanka is ready to welcome visitors.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
