News
Visitors pour in despite some setbacks in scenic cities and train rides
View(s):By Wasantha Ramanayake
Following the cyclone Ditwah devastation, Sri Lanka’s tourism industry continues its journey toward a full recovery as daily arrivals increased after a short dip early this month, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority statistics show.
Although arrivals in the first week of December are slightly higher than in December of last year, the year-on-year arrivals would not rise due to 20-30% of cancellations in the aftermath of the cyclone, industry experts said. Visitor numbers surge around Christmas and New Year, which is considered to be the high season in Sri Lanka.
A group of 187 French tourists being given a warm welcome when they visited a hotel in Sigiriya. Pic by Kanchana Ariyadasa
While many popular destinations are now open, some large groups still avoid visiting Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, a national tourist guide lecturer said. So is one of the most cherished experiences — the scenic hill country train rides — which are suspended for now.
However, tourists and people in the area would be delighted to see trains operating between Badulla and Haputale in two to three weeks subject to approval by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) Chief Engineer (Way and Works) E. M S. P. K Deegala told the Sunday Times.
According to him, NBRO should give its clearance that the track is free from the risk of rock falls or possible landslides. The Railway could take the decision to operate the “Calypso’’ train mainly catering to tourists with an open-carriage offering panoramic views of hills and valleys between Bandarawela and Badulla.
The railway track near Uduwara blocked by an earthslip has been cleared.
The most popular section of the train line between Kandy and Ambewela stretch which was badly damaged, would take a considerable time to reconstruct and would not be available for the season, it was revealed.
Trains are operating from the Mahawa and Gal Oya junction to Trincomale on Trincomale line and Gal Oya Junction to Polonnaruwa on the Batticaloa line. A stretch of 2.5 kilometres had been badly damaged between Gal Lella and Manampitiya which was being reconstructed, Mr. Deegala said. This stretch is laid across the Flood Plains National Park on the Mahaweli River basin. The line was laid on an elevated bund which has been badly damaged by flooding of the Mahaweli River, and would be completed in two to three weeks, he said.
The Northern line between Senerathgama and Thambuttegma Railway stations across Kala Oya river basin too, was badly damaged due to flooding. It is being rebuilt before resuming services between Mahawa Junction and Jaffna.
JF Tours, which operates the “Viceroy Special,” a privately owned heritage charter train hauled by steam locomotive had 17 cancellations next year, nearly one fourth of the 60-odd annual train trips.
JF Tours General Manager M. Noel Jayasekara told the Sunday Times: “We are hard hit.’’
The “Viceroy Special” train is chartered by a large spectrum of groups both local and international including tourists. However, UK based ‘Railway Touring Company’ a company specialised in vintage steam train tours, confirmed the annual visit of its tourist group in February, 2026, Mr. Jayasekera said.
“We get many inquiries from prospective tourists abroad, about the up-country train ride that is one of their highlights in Sri Lanka,” said an operations manager of a destination management company in Colombo. “Annually around 90% of the 4,000 of our visitors take the train ride to the hills.’’ According to him, suspension of trains on the main line could affect visitor numbers.
A manger of a large-scale destination management company said that the scenic train ride was removed from all itineraries for the season. “We will try to offer an alternative train journey, probably in the southern part,” she said. This is about transferring the tourist experience as a means of adapting to the situation. She confirmed around 4,000 visitors of her source market annually take the train from Kandy to Nanu Oya.
According to Deputy General Manager (Commercial) W.D.R. Pathmalal, the railway operated 12 commuter trains a day to the hills from Colombo and Kandy and two more trains run at weekends.
Following Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada also issued travel advisories cautioning their citizens. The UK advisory warned of continuing heavy rains which would worsen the situation in already affected areas including Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. It further stated that the risk of localised flooding and landslides.
The industry is cautious as arrivals from the UK could be affected by the travel advisory. The UK is the second highest source market.
Meanwhile, a Canadian travel advisory warned its citizens in Sri Lanka to stay away from the affected areas including Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. It further warns of unusual weather events occurring more frequently.
| Visitor thankful for care during cyclone Ms Hoolio, a member of a group of Australian tourists which had to stay an extra night in Kandy amid power outages and water shortages on 28 November as the cyclone Ditwah blew in, thanked the tour guide lecturer for taking care of the group. “So much rain and devastation; we felt very safe and well guided during this difficult time. While some parts of the tour were affected by road closures, the entire trip was memorable, and would love to return. The hotels were so lovely, the food was excellent. Thank you once again.” The group had to change its itinerary and travel to Galle from Kandy via Colombo, spending more than 10 hours in the tour coach. | |
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!