Tika Traveller

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.

Ayubowan - may you have the gift of a long life

TikaWeeks #21/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 20th May 2019

Peace was officially declared on 18 May 2009 following 26 years of internal conflict in Sri Lanka. Ten years on, much has changed on the island: tourism is booming, countrywide infrastructure projects have been completed and there is a positively tangible optimism on the island, which will not be dulled by the recent terrorist atrocities. Religious, cultural and societal integration, equality and tolerance may be the only way forward for the future wellbeing of all peoples of Sri Lanka.

TikaWeeks #20-2/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 18th May 2019

With travel insurance companies refusing to cover losses following holiday cancellations due to the current FCO travel advice against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, it is even more important to consider booking a Sri Lanka holiday with a reputable and established travel company like Tikalanka. We are reimbursing in full imminent holidays or retaining deposits as credit against future holiday bookings. Most of our airlines are offering full refunds for cancelled summer flights as well.

TikaWeeks #20-1/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 17th May 2019

Political motivations have apparently contributed to the recent attacks on mosques and Muslim-owned businesses in Sri Lanka following the terrorist atrocities on Easter Sunday, with 'Buddhist extremists' blamed by the government for ransacking mosques and attacking shops across the island. The nationwide overnight curfew has been lifted but social media platforms are still banned in order to quell the unrest. Current official UK travel advice remains unchanged – advise against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka.

TikaWeeks #19-6/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 10th May 2019

“Sri Lankan’s are among the most warm and nurturing people on earth, when guests arrive on our shore’s they become family… and when family is hurt the entire community comes together to protect, nurture, mourn and grieve and heal together… this is our way and it has been our way from the beginning of time." Kishu Gomes, Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism.

TikaWeeks #19-5/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 10th May 2019

"Tourism is the largest employer in Sri Lanka and the growth in the past few years has uplifted tens of thousands across the country from hotel staff to tuk-tuk drivers to fishermen... I have taken the initiative together with our colleagues across the travel industry to come together as the 'Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance' with a website to serve as a single point of reference on developments." Malik Fernando, Managing Director, Resplendent Ceylon.

TikaWeeks #19-4/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 9th May 2019

On Tuesday evening (07 May 2019), the President of Sri Lanka together with the heads of the Armed Forces and the Police addressed the Diplomatic community in Sri Lanka. The message he conveyed was that all of the terror group responsible for the 21 April 2019 attack have been either eliminated or arrested and the situation is well under control. He requested the Diplomatic community to relax the Travel Advisories soon, so that tourism could recommence to Sri Lanka.

TikaWeeks #19-3/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 7th May 2019

Sri Lanka's security authorities have either killed or arrested all of those responsible for the Easter Sunday bombings that left 257 people dead, according to the police chief, Chandana Wickramaratne. He also said that public life was slowly returning to normal with the lifting of curfews imposed after the bombings.

TikaWeeks #19-2/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 7th May 2019

The UK Minister for Security and Economic Crime, Ben Wallace, returned from Sri Lanka recently, saying "As part of my visit, I have discussed our current travel advice and been clear that we hope to see the Sri Lankan tourism industry return to full strength. We will do all we can to help the Sri Lankan authorities with this."

TikaWeeks #19-1/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 7th May 2019

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) continues to advise against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, due to the current evolving security situation following attacks on 21 April 2019. Hopefully as close to normality as possible will return to the island soon and the FCO will revise the travel advice to allow leisure visits once again. We will keep you posted with any further developments and please visit the FCO website for current official travel advice for Sri Lanka.

TikaWeeks #17-2/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 25th April 2019

As an update on the current situation in Sri Lanka, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) today advise against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, due to the current evolving security situation following attacks on 21 April 2019. We hope that this unprecedented travel advice will be a temporary measure and we will keep you posted with any further developments. For current official travel advice for Sri Lanka, please visit the FCO website.