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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.

Category: Wildlife

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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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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Hindu temple figurines, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #09/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 26th February 2025

Today is Maha Shivratri Day! This Hindu festival celebrates the power of Lord Shiva, who protects his devotees from negative and evil spirits. The new Sri Lankan government, whose approval rating jumped to 62% this month, has promised to bail out the debt-ridden national carrier SriLankan Airlines to the tune of Rs20bn, which comes with the caveat of ensuring profitability in the future. In other news, a camera system based on AI fitted to the front of trains will hopefully save the lives of many wild elephants.

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Baagu the leopard, Kumana National Park, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Eco Team)

TikaWeeks #08/2025: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 19th February 2025

Who would like to spot a leopard in Sri Lanka without the hullabaloo associated with sightings in Yala? If so, then look no further than Kumana National Park. Previously called Yala East – the main one was Yala West – Kumana is a tranquil wildlife reserve accessed from the east coast. Soon to launch Kalkudah Beach House, also on the east coast, is another exquisite offering from Teardrop Hotels, while luxury boutique hotels specialist Uga Escapes opened its latest property Uga Halloowella near Hatton in the Hill Country late last year.

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Lion Rock at Sigiriya, Sri Lanka (courtesy of Shutterstock)

TikaWeeks #46/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 11th November 2024

Quite an accolade for Sri Lanka – voted the Most Desirable Island (World) by Wanderlust’s 168,000 passionate and globetrotting readers. After more than 3 million votes were cast, the results of the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards​ are now in. Destinations, tour operators and travel brands have been recognised across 22 categories, including the Most Desirable Countries, Cities and Islands in Europe and around the world.

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First ever sighting of Allen's Gallinule (Porphyrio alleni) in Sri Lanka (courtesy of Kasun Gonagala)

TikaWeeks #42/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 18th October 2024

For all you birding enthusiasts, a remarkable discovery was made in Sri Lanka’s northern province back in March with the first ever sighting of an Allen’s Gallinule on the island. A research team led by Kasun Gonagala​ observed a unique and unexpected visitor to the region: Allen's Gallinule (Porphyrio alleni), a species that had never before been recorded in Sri Lanka or Asia. The sighting took place in a swampy forest rich in mangroves, with the bird walking on lily pads in a well-vegetated wetland.

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The Mudhouse, Anamaduwa, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #31/2024: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 1st August 2024

One of our all-time favourite places to stay on the island has reopened following its closure as a result of the pandemic. The Mudhouse​ near Anamaduwa is a real gem. Tom and Kumar created a one-of-a-kind property in the ancient rural heartlands of Sri Lanka many years ago and it is a truly unique experience. The clusters of traditional mud huts constructed from local, natural materials have recently been renovated – Tom tells me that three out of the five original units are fully restored along with the restaurant – and the restoration project will continue this year and into next. Past customers have loved the place so book now to avoid disappointment!

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