Deputy Minister confirms tourism sector returns to normalcy 

•  Asserts major attractions open, transport links restored, no significant incidents reported involving foreign visitors
• Clarifies emergency declaration was to mobilise aid and not due to escalation
• Reiterates Sri Lanka is ready to welcome visitors

Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe yesterday confirmed Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is “fully back to normal” following last week’s severe weather, with major attractions open, transport links restored and no significant incidents reported involving foreign visitors.

Speaking after returning from inspections in Badulla and other affected districts, Prof. Ranasinghe said Cyclone Ditwah, the strongest storm to impact Sri Lanka in nearly two decades, caused serious flooding, power outages, and disruptions to telecommunications and water supply in several regions. 

However, he asserted that recovery efforts had been swift.

According to him, all major Class A and B roads in the affected areas, including routes linking Colombo–Nuwara Eliya, Badulla–Mahiyanganaya and other upcountry networks, have now been cleared. Only a few minor internal roads remain partially obstructed.

He highlighted the rapid response of local authorities, noting that the Mahiyanganaya Hospital, which had been submerged for 60 hours, resumed normal operations within three days. “These are remarkable examples of how quickly the country has recovered,” he said.

Prof. Ranasinghe clarified that the declaration of a state of emergency earlier in the week had been misunderstood internationally.

“This was not because the situation was worsening. It was to accelerate the mobilisation of local and international resources. Funding was released, but reaching the most affected people was slow. The emergency declaration ensured fast, efficient delivery,” he explained.

He said the daily disaster-management meetings at district level continue to coordinate relief and track needs on the ground.

The Deputy Minister confirmed that tourist arrivals have continued steadily and no visitor had been harmed during the cyclone.

“Not a single foreign visitor was affected,” he affirmed, adding that only about 60 assistance requests had been logged through the 1912 tourism emergency hotline, all of which have either been resolved or verified with foreign missions.

He said major tourist regions including the Cultural Triangle, Yala, Ella, the Southern Coast and Nuwara Eliya are operating normally. Wildlife parks and cultural sites have reopened, and transport links have stabilised. A cruise ship with over 2,000 passengers also docked with them engaged in excursions right after few days of the cyclone. 

“The airport is fully operational. Tourist sites are open. Visitors are safe and moving around freely,” the Deputy Minister assured.

Although tourism rebounds, Prof. Ranasinghe noted that the Government’s priority now is restoration of essential public services. In Badulla alone, 26 schools suffered damage, and authorities aim to reopen them within the next two to three weeks.

He urged the media and industry stakeholders to convey accurate, positive updates to international audiences.

“The country is back to normal, and tourism must continue because it is a major economic pillar. Except for a few interior roads, the entire network is open. Sri Lanka is ready to welcome visitors,” he said.

Industry stakeholders present at the briefing also shared their on-ground observations to further reassure the global tourism community.