Independent Tailor-made Holidays to Sri Lanka & Maldives

Call Us: 020 313 76 763

Menu

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: Travel tips

Train journey through Sri Lanka's emerald tea country

TikaWeeks #41/2026: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 6th October 2026

Last Friday, tears of joy accompanied the reopening of the train line from Colombo to Kandy as the train service resumed following the devastation wrought by Cyclone Ditwah, and trains have also restarted between Nanuoya (Nuwara Eliya) and Badulla in the Hill Country. Sri Lanka was hailed as the No. 1 island destination in 2026 as well as named among the world’s top 50 food destinations. In other news, a documentary on the island triumphed in top global TV awards, Qatar Airways and Emirates are increasing their number of flights, and Aitken Spence achieves GSTC certification.

Read more »
Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration

TikaWeeks #22/2026: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 27th May 2026

From 25 May 2026, UK citizens will be issued with a free 30-day visa as we suggested a couple of weeks ago. Travellers from 40 countries are eligible for the free visa including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and USA. However, you will still need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travelling to Sri Lanka as before. Congratulations to Kulu Safaris for being included in The Travel Green List™ 2026, Wanderlust Magazine's annual showcase of impactful and responsible travel initiatives.

Read more »
Votive candles, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #20/2026: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 13th May 2026

Sri Lanka comes alive in May to celebrate Wesak (Vesak), one of the country’s most cherished cultural and religious festivals commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Lord Buddha. Streets across the nation glow with vibrant lanterns, illuminated pandols, and decorative lights, creating a truly magical atmosphere that reflects the spirit of peace, compassion, and togetherness.

Read more »
Padmaraga Galle Fort, Galle, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #14/2026: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 1st April 2026

The first two months of 2026 were signalling a bumper year for tourism in Sri Lanka, on the back of record visitor numbers in 2025. However, the Middle East conflict has resulted in a significant drop in arrivals to the island since the beginning of last month, mostly due to Sri Lanka’s reliance on Middle Eastern airlines to bring in the majority of Western visitors. While recent developments in the Middle East have understandably raised questions, Sri Lanka remains largely unaffected, offering a sense of calm, continuity and quiet reassurance.

Read more »
Toyota Hiace, Tikalanka, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #13/2026: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 26th March 2026

To say this year has been busy is an understatement, which is the reason for the lack of updates so far – sorry! We are receiving an ever-increasing number of enquiries via ChatGPT and deep dives into Google AI, which shows that our online presence is strong and authentic. Obviously, the conflict between the USA/Israel and Iran has caused issues but we have managed to either reschedule or postpone most of the holidays affected. This is an update for the year to date…

Read more »
Tikalanka - Independent tailor-made holidays to Sri Lanka and Maldives

TikaWeeks #51/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 19th December 2025

Sri Lanka continues to recover well from the effects of Cyclone Ditwah. The Kandy to Nuwara Eliya road has reopened, although it is restricted to a single lane at Ramboda as the major landslide is cleared. There is now road access between Nuwara Eliya and Ella, and the Hill Country railway line from Ambewela near Nuwara Eliya to the southern terminus at Badulla is open again. The main Colombo to Kandy road (A1) is open but there is some traffic near Kadugannawa as only one lane is open. We are keeping a close eye on developments with daily updates from our ground control fleet and accommodation network across the island.

Read more »
Tikalanka - Independent tailor-made holidays to Sri Lanka and Maldives

TikaWeeks #50/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 13th December 2025

According to local reports, Sri Lanka seems to be recovering well from the effects of Cyclone Ditwah. Ninety-five percent of the national power supply has been successfully restored, fuel supplies are being maintained, main roads are open (with a couple of exceptions), and all sites in the Cultural Triangle are open as are the principal national parks. The majority of the coastline was not affected too severely by the cyclone. Most stages of the Pekoe Trail have been reopened. However, the Hill Country railway line from Ambepussa to Badulla is suspended until further notice.

Read more »
Tikalanka - Independent tailor-made holidays to Sri Lanka and Maldives

TikaWeeks #49/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 6th December 2025

​Cyclone Ditwah caused extensive flooding and landslides on its passage through Sri Lanka last week. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the tropical cyclone. Thankfully, our team in Sri Lanka is safe and our holidays are continuing on the island. Recent updates from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and other local organisations indicate that the island is recovering and most of the country is safe for travel. We are receiving regular updates from our office in Kandy, local colleagues around the island, the SLTDA, and the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance to keep us informed of the actual situation on the ground.

Read more »
Geoffrey Bawa's Lunuganga, Bentota, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #45/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 7th November 2025

We delve into our travel partners’ treasure trove of articles and features about Sri Lanka this week, with a few of Teardrop Hotels recent blogs on various subjects from preserving Geoffrey Bawa’s unique architectural heritage and top elephant hotspots to Sri Lanka’s culinary delights and a guide to the island’s national parks, rainforests and sanctuaries. There are plenty of other insights on offer including recommendations on the best beaches and train journeys, the art of slow travel, whale watching, and climbing Adam’s Peak.

Read more »
Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration

TikaWeeks #42/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 14th October 2025

Sri Lanka no longer issues visas on arrival. You now need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online, which is valid for 30 days, before you fly. The ETA is issued through an online system, and no passport copies, documents or photographs are required, and there is no requirement to endorse the ETA in your passport. Upon arrival, simply produce your passport to the immigration officer at the port of entry along with a copy of your ETA approval notice.

Read more »

Categories

Archive

Make An Enquiry Now

Trip Planner

Create your dream holiday »
Recommended by responsibletravel.com Born Free Travellers Animal Alert! Love Sri Lanka FCO Travel Advice Tropic Breeze