Moving Forward: Post-“Ditwah” Travel Update

As the nation continues to move forward, many essential services have now been restored through the tireless efforts of government authorities, supported by strong collaboration from the private sector.

A majority of affected roads have been cleared and are now fully motorable, and train services have resumed on selected routes. In the Riverston area of the Knuckles Mountain Range, access roads have sustained damage; therefore, we are currently using alternative routes, which result in longer driving times. As an alternative to Riverston excursions, we are rerouting experiences to the Meemure side, offering comparable landscapes and nature-based activities.

The scenic train journey from Nanu Oya to Ella is presently operating on a limited basis, covering the stretch between Ambewela (approximately a 45-minute drive from Nuwara Eliya) and Ella. At present, two trains operate daily, with an additional service every Wednesday. The Railway Department is actively undertaking reconstruction work on the Ambewela–Nanu Oya section. The rail link between Kandy and Nanu Oya is expected to take a couple of months to rehabilitate, and we remain hopeful that this route will be available by the end of April 2026, as scheduled.

On the Northern Line, train services remain limited due to ongoing routine maintenance. Consequently, the rail journey between Anuradhapura and Jaffna is expected to remain unavailable for approximately another three months.

We are pleased to note that all affected hotels have now resumed operations, welcoming guests once again and enhancing their stays with additional value-added services as part of their recovery efforts.