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.

Category: Sightseeing

TikaWeeks #03-1/2021: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 18th January 2021

We have now received the official Sri Lanka Tourism Safety Protocols for arranging and running holidays on the island in the near future. We are still awaiting clarification or confirmation of the finalised list of certified ‘Safe and Secure’ Level 1 hotels (the health audit is still on-going), approved tourist sites, accredited laboratories for PCR tests, and guide or driver guidelines. The safety protocols currently in place will be reviewed regularly and there will most likely be variations to these protocols as time goes by.

TikaWeeks #27/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 3rd July 2020

Ridiculous as it may seem, the illustrious UK government today decided NOT to include either Sri Lanka or Maldives on its initial travel corridors list, which exempts travellers from self-isolating for 14 days on arrival in England from 10 July 2020. Both island nations have managed to limit the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) effectively and efficiently, contrary to our own government's disastrous and amoral actions, so why penalise them for doing the job properly?

TikaWeeks #24/2020: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 10th June 2020

Sri Lanka Tourism is ready to welcome tourists from 01 August 2020. The organisation released a set of new protocols and procedures for hotels, DMCs and other tourism partners on 29 May 2020 with the aim of safeguarding visitors against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which will be implemented and standardised across the Sri Lankan tourism industry as a means of reassurance to future visitors.

TikaWeeks #14-2/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 1st April 2020

The WHO has commended Sri Lanka in the fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as the president appealed to world aid organisations to grant concessions to developing countries at risk from the global effects of COVID-19. It is likely that flight options will become more restricted in the coming days. The Government of Maldives has declared a Public Health Emergency and imposed a daily curfew from 02 April 2020 until further notice. New travel restrictions are severely limiting commercial flight schedules.

TikaWeeks #12-3/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 18th March 2020

The Government of Maldives has announced a ban on entry into Maldives of anyone who has left or transited the UK in the last 14 days, with effect from 23.59 local time (18.59 GMT) tonight (18 March 2020). This does not affect British Nationals already in Maldives who should follow the advice of local authorities. If you are already in Sri Lanka, the government has announced that visit visas will be extended to 12 April 2020, if necessary, although an extension fee will be charged.

Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, Olympia London, 30 January to 02 February 2020

TikaWeeks #05/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 27th January 2020

Our annual pilgrimage south is upon us. Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, the UK’s biggest event for travel inspiration takes place at Olympia London from 30 January to 02 February 2020. Come to visit us on stand AP38 and also get your complimentary e-tickets to the show courtesy of Tikalanka.

TikaWeeks #52/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 23rd December 2019

Nearly at the end of the year and at least the days are getting longer now that we are past the Winter Solstice – well, infinitesimally anyway! We hope that you have a fun-filled festive season and all of the best for 2020. Remember to come and see us at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at London Olympia next month. We will be closed from lunchtime tomorrow to 06 January 2020, although emails will be checked regularly.

TikaWeeks #50/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 11th December 2019

Discover your next adventure at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, in association with The Times and The Sunday Times, the UK’s biggest event for travel inspiration taking place at Olympia London from 30 January to 02 February 2020. Come to visit us on stand AP38 and also get your complimentary e-tickets to the Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show courtesy of Tikalanka by quoting EXTIKA.

Pathi holding aloft the katina cheevaraya (robe) during the early morning perahera for the Katina Pinkama ceremony, Kandy, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #48/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 27th November 2019

I have just returned from my annual research trip to Sri Lanka, although it may be biannually from now on considering the climate crisis… On arrival on the island, it was a privilege to be invited to the Katina Pinkama ceremonies at Pathi and Suba’s house and local temple, where they had the honour of offering the special robe for the event to Nanda sadhu, their head monk and great friend of mine.

Sun-drenched and palm-fringed golden sandy beach in Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #43/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 22nd October 2019

In October 1979, The Police released their seminal album Regatta de Blanc to critical acclaim. Included on the album was the lead single and soon-to-be global hit Message in a Bottle with a chorus beginning “I’ll send an SOS to the world”. Forty years on, we send an SOS to the world – Support Our Sri Lanka. With deals galore on offer at many of our favourite hotels until next April, it is definitely the time to visit Sri Lanka. So, come on in, the water’s lovely! Just give us a call to chat over your ideas for a holiday of a lifetime.

Independent Tailor-made Holidays to Sri Lanka & Maldives