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Discover Sri Lanka & Maldives From Those Who Know It Best

Blogs from Tikalanka are designed to enhance your knowledge of Sri Lanka and Maldives and keep you up to date with recent developments. We intend to post regular features on travel, news, lifestyle and accommodation as well as guest articles from current and past customers, which will give you first-hand experience of Tikalanka, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Elephants in Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #27/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 2nd July 2025

The Galle Literary Festival, in and around Galle from 21 to 25 January 2026, has become one of the most anticipated literary events in south Asia. The latest episode of “Guardians”, a docuseries narrated by Prince William, shines a light on Sri Lankan rangers working to reduce human-elephant conflict. With around half of all visitors going on safari in Sri Lanka, wildlife is central to the island’s attraction, and ‘glamping’ is a great way to experience the call of the wild. In other news, Sigiriya was recently anointed as Sri Lanka’s first sustainable destination, and another upsurge in tourist arrivals last month shows Sri Lanka is still the place to visit!

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A solo traveller meeting the locals in Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #26/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 25th June 2025

Travelling solo may feel daunting to some but other free spirits find it liberating and exhilarating. We have our fair share of solo explorers on our holidays, and in recent years the number has grown. A one-to-one trip with your very own dedicated chauffeur guide can enhance the overall travel experience and enables you to get firsthand and intimate knowledge of Sri Lanka unachievable within a group. So, if you are looking for an independent and unconventional holiday experience, read on…

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Sperm whale and diver

TikaWeeks #23/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 2nd June 2025

Swimming with whales isn’t just unethical – it’s illegal in Sri Lanka. A recent study found 32 tour operators offering illegal swim-with-whales experiences in key whale-watching areas. Protecting these gentle giants requires collective action – from government and tour agencies, accommodation providers, boat operators, and tourists. For years, Sri Lanka’s tourism model has been framed around distinct “high” and “low” seasons, dictated largely by the island’s monsoonal patterns. This binary view, however, fails to reflect the island’s true potential. The reality? Sri Lanka offers rich, varied experiences throughout the year.

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Kumana Under Canvas, Kumana NP, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #22/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 29th May 2025

If rafting over cascading rapids, ballooning around an iconic rock fortress at dawn, climbing a sacred mountain for the spectacular sunrise and experiencing a jeep safari to spot a variety of exotic wildlife are high on your wish list, then Sri Lanka is for you! Many visitors only travel to Sri Lanka for the island’s spectacular, sun-soaked and palm-fringed beaches but there is so much more to discover than its sandy shores and exquisite ancient temples. This week’s update highlights some of the less well-known adventures on offer in Sri Lanka.

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Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Deborah Robinson & Pablo Hernando)

TikaWeeks #21/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 19th May 2025

We believe that tourism can benefit both visitors and locals alike, a positive force for the national economies and local communities of the destination country. However, we also appreciate that overtourism has detrimental impacts and tourist income doesn’t always go into the pockets of the people who provide the services or need it most. Recent feedback from customers has highlighted some of these issues. We are well aware of these concerns and are finding new locations to visit and different places to stay to ensure your experience of Sri Lanka remains enjoyable and authentic.

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Puja (blessing ceremony) at Kataragama pilgrimage site, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #16/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 14th April 2025

Suba Aluth Avuruddak Wewa! (Wishing you a joyful and peaceful New Year!) Today is Sinhala and Tamil New Year in Sri Lanka, which is not just a celebration of the dawn of a new year, but also that of unity, cultural enrichment and a sense of family unity. This is a family festival, an occasion to exchange presents and eat traditional dishes. Many people return to their original towns and villages to play age-old games and catch up with relatives and friends.

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Kalkudah Beach House, Kalkudah, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #15/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 11th April 2025

Tucked away in a sprawling coconut estate on Sri Lanka’s tranquil east coast, Kalkudah Beach House is Teardop Hotels’ eighth boutique property, and what a property! Launching on 01 June, it is certainly going to turn some heads and offer another truly luxurious alternative on the eastern seaboard. As of 01 April, The Kandy House is under the management of its owners for the first time and is now known as Adigar’s Manor. However, everything else is the same, from the luxury bedrooms and impeccable service to the gorgeous garden and stately ambience.

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Hill Country tea terraces, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Peter Hale)

TikaWeeks #14/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 31st March 2025

The Pekoe Trail in Sri Lanka has rightly entered the Pantheon of the world’s greatest hiking trails since its launch in late 2023. Winding its way through the spectacular Hill Country, the 300 km-long, 22-stage hiking trail has won many accolades including TIME magazine’s ‘World’s Greatest Places’ list for 2025. Sri Lanka has also been revealed to be the world’s most family-friendly country in a recent report, and Condé Nast Traveler included Sri Lanka on its latest list of the 40 most beautiful countries in the world. So why not visit?

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Thriving agriculture in the Buttala-Gonagan Ara area, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Eco Team)

TikaWeeks #13/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 28th March 2025

One of our partners in Sri Lanka has been doing wonders with an agrarian community in the island’s southeastern Dry Zone region regarding human-elephant conflict. What started out as a bold conservation initiative to protect both human livelihoods and elephant populations has now blossomed into an inspiring story of resilience, coexistence, and renewal. Recent customers travelling through Colombo airport have suggested that the arrivals card is no longer necessary, however, we still haven’t received any official communication that this is the case.

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Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration

TikaWeeks #12/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 21st March 2025

The arrivals card portal​ for the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka is still down after a month so please complete a paper copy on arrival at Colombo airport instead. We have no idea why it has been inoperative for such a long time and hope it will be up and running again soon. Today’s unprecedented closure of London Heathrow airport due to a power outage has caused travel chaos with all flights cancelled. We hope power is restored again soon, although the airport will be closed until at least midnight tonight.

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