Latest On Ground Updates - 2025
Lasted Updated – 23rd December 2025
At the end of November 2025, Sri Lanka experienced a brief but intense cyclone that sadly resulted in localised loss of life and some landslides in a few districts. Thanks to swift national response and clear weather patterns that followed, all major visitor areas, airports, highways and tourism services have since returned to normal operations. Travellers can be reassured that the country is fully open, with hotels, transport networks and holiday experiences operating normally. Unfortunately, media that featured the height of the storm would not highlight the return to normalcy, hence the need for this Current Situation page.
Sri Lanka: Tourism Operating Normally
- The international airport is fully operational with normal international and domestic flight schedules.
- Key tourism regions are open and functioning as usual, including the South Coast, Cultural Triangle, Hill Country, Colombo, and the East Coast.
- Road networks across the island are open, with access restored to all major tourism routes and attractions.
- The rail network across the Central Highlands is not operating, with repairs underway. We understand that scenic train journeys on a section will resume shortly. The South Coast Network is operating normally.
- Utilities and essential services are stable, including electricity, water supply, telecommunications, and internet connectivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Sri Lanka’s tourism regions remain open, safe, and fully operational following the recent weather events; major destinations—including beaches, cultural sites, and national parks—are welcoming visitors normally.
All international flights and key highways are operating normally. Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) is fully functional, and major roads connecting tourism hubs are accessible.
Yes – parks such as Yala, Udawalawe, Bundala, and Horton Plains, as well as cultural sites in the Cultural Triangle (Sigiriya, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura), are open for visitors.
Some highly localized areas are still disrupted, but the vast majority of the island is operating normally. Even in the hill country, major scenic routes are accessible.
Official tourism hotlines and emergency services remain active, and regular situation updates are published for visitor awareness. You can also access local updates via the official Sri Lanka travel situation page and hotline 1912.
No – authorities and tourism operators encourage visitors not to cancel. Most service sectors (hotels, tours) are functioning and many bookings are continuing or rebooking without major issues.
Information is being updated frequently by official tourism bodies and travel advisories, reflecting on-the-ground conditions – always check with your tour operator for the latest travel guidance. The page here is updated on a regular basis.
Current weather patterns have returned to seasonal norms across most of the country, and routine forecasts are shared to help travelers plan safely. Sri Lanka Travel
Absolutely – Sri Lanka continues to attract global visitors and remains a vibrant destination with warm hospitality, open attractions, and ongoing tourism activity.
Yes – Sri Lanka Railways has restored train operations on the Upcountry Railway Line between Badulla and Ambewela. Regular train services are running daily on this section, helping both locals and tourists enjoy one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic rail journeys. Sri Lanka’s coastal railways are also operating.
Articles and Publications – December 2025
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Latest News
International Events Proceed Successfully in Colombo
14 Dec 25 19:36 – Colombo successfully hosted the ICA International Colombo Marathon on 14 December 2025, welcoming over 2,500 runners from 40 countries, including many international participants who travelled to Sri Lanka specifically for the event.
The marathon — comprising a Half Marathon (21.1 km), 10 km Challengers Run and 5 km Family Run — was delivered smoothly with full coordination across city infrastructure, transport, medical services, security and hospitality. Participants represented South Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, reinforcing Colombo’s growing credibility as a host city for international sporting events.
The successful execution of this large-scale international event in the period following Cyclone Ditwah provides clear, real-world evidence that Sri Lanka is open, safe and operating normally. Visiting runners and delegates were able to travel, stay and move freely, with no disruption to event operations or visitor experience.
This event adds to a growing body of indicators — including continued international arrivals, normal airline operations and fully functioning tourism services across the island — demonstrating Sri Lanka’s resilience and readiness to welcome travellers.
Update: 9 December 2025
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya urges tourists not to cancel their travel plans to Sri Lanka following the recent cyclone. Speaking at the Ceylon Chamber Economic Summit, she expressed that many destinations across the country remain safe, open and ready to welcome travellers.
Update: 8th December 2025
In a recent article, Condé Nast Traveller reports that the majority of the country’s tourist destinations—including Colombo, Galle, south coast beaches, and major cultural sites remain fully operational and unaffected. The publication urges travellers not to cancel their trips, emphasizing that tourism is critically important for Sri Lanka’s recovery, particularly during the peak December-to-April season when small businesses and local communities depend on visitor income to rebuild their lives.
Update: 7th December 2025
The Colombo–Kandy main road has been reopened for all vehicles.
Update: 5th December 2025
The leading travel trade publication for the UK and Ireland, TTG Media published a recent article, stating that Sri Lanka is “open, safe and fully operational”, and ready to welcome agents’ clients.
Malik Fernando (Resplendent Ceylon) highlighted tourism’s importance saying: “Tourism plays an essential role in the livelihoods of Sri Lankan people” and noted that every visitor makes a “tangible difference” during crisis recovery.
Sam Clark (Experience Travel Group) reported minimal disruption to travellers and conveyed: “The message of Sri Lankans is that tourists support the recovery efforts through their presence and their spending.”
Farzana Dobbs (Travel Gallery) addressed client concerns, explaining: “Someone wanted to cancel a hotel booking because of all the negative coverage, but we told them there was no reason – everything is working perfectly normally.”
The article emphasizes that despite the cyclone’s impact, the tourism industry remains functional and visitor spending directly supports affected communities’ rebuilding efforts.
Update: 4th December 2025
An official communique from Sri Lanka Tourism mentions the following important points:
- The recent state of emergency declared by the Government of Sri Lanka is purely an administrative mechanism that enables the President to rapidly mobilize troops, rescue teams, engineering units, and essential resources for disaster response. This measure is not security-related, and there are absolutely no restrictions or concerns regarding visitor movement anywhere in the country.
- Infrastructure-including airports, highways, and communication systems continues to function smoothly.
- Visitors already in Sri Lanka are continuing their itineraries as planned, and new arrivals can expect regular, uninterrupted travel experiences.
- The SLTDA is working closely with Destination Management Companies (DMCs), Hotels and all other stakeholders in the tourism industry, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all visitors to the Island.
