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: News

Ayubowan - may you have the gift of a long life

TikaWeeks #21-1/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 20th May 2019

Peace was officially declared on 18 May 2009 following 26 years of internal conflict in Sri Lanka. Ten years on, much has changed on the island: tourism is booming, countrywide infrastructure projects have been completed and there is a positively tangible optimism on the island, which will not be dulled by the recent terrorist atrocities. Religious, cultural and societal integration, equality and tolerance may be the only way forward for the future wellbeing of all peoples of Sri Lanka.

TikaWeeks #20-2/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 18th May 2019

With travel insurance companies refusing to cover losses following holiday cancellations due to the current FCO travel advice against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, it is even more important to consider booking a Sri Lanka holiday with a reputable and established travel company like Tikalanka. We are reimbursing in full imminent holidays or retaining deposits as credit against future holiday bookings. Most of our airlines are offering full refunds for cancelled summer flights as well.

TikaWeeks #20-1/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 17th May 2019

Political motivations have apparently contributed to the recent attacks on mosques and Muslim-owned businesses in Sri Lanka following the terrorist atrocities on Easter Sunday, with 'Buddhist extremists' blamed by the government for ransacking mosques and attacking shops across the island. The nationwide overnight curfew has been lifted but social media platforms are still banned in order to quell the unrest. Current official UK travel advice remains unchanged – advise against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka.

TikaWeeks #19-5/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 10th May 2019

"Tourism is the largest employer in Sri Lanka and the growth in the past few years has uplifted tens of thousands across the country from hotel staff to tuk-tuk drivers to fishermen... I have taken the initiative together with our colleagues across the travel industry to come together as the 'Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance' with a website to serve as a single point of reference on developments." Malik Fernando, Managing Director, Resplendent Ceylon.

President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka celebrating Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya in Anuradhapura (courtesy of President’s Media Division)

TikaWeeks #15/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 8th April 2019

Less than a week to go until Aluth Avurudda (New Year) in the Sinhalese and Tamil communities of Sri Lanka. New Year traditionally begins at the sighting of the new moon, although, for convenience, it is now celebrated on 14 April each year. It also marks the end of the harvest season and of spring. This week’s update heralds the New Year, continues our geography series and features a news roundup.

TikaWeeks #13/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 30th March 2019

“Where is Tikalanka?” queried a passer-by to their companion looking at the map on our stand at the Destinations holiday and travel show… “They can’t go!” said a friend to me under their breath. The point is that, despite the internet and our globally connected lifestyle, still not everyone knows where Sri Lanka is or what delights it has to offer. This week’s update introduces a short series on Sri Lanka’s geography, continues with our new accommodation listings and reviews topical news items.

The pink tuk-tuks of Sri Lanka empowering and protecting women (courtesy of Al Jazeera)

TikaWeeks #12/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 22nd March 2019

It has been a very busy and eventful period for us since the Destinations holiday and travel show last month, with this being our peak holiday and booking season, so apologies for the radio silence. Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who visited us at Destinations, both potential customers and old friends! Things are moving fast in Sri Lanka, with many new hotels being developed and infrastructure improved, so this Sri Lanka update will try to cover what has been happening on the island over the past few months and with us as a company.

TikaWeeks #51/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 21st December 2018

Apologies for the long absence of TikaWeeks and, in the interim, much has happened. I spent another productive couple of weeks in Sri Lanka in October on my annual research trip, including very successful office and guide meetings. Visited WTM in London briefly to catch up with colleagues from Sri Lanka. Watched incredulously as the political situation on the island developed into a surreal farce…

TikaWeeks #35/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 2nd September 2018

Last week’s launch of the new version of our Trip Planner is hotly followed by our new online Wedding Gift List this week, which uses the same platform. Our online Wedding Gift List enables you to create your ideal honeymoon to Sri Lanka and Maldives, and the itinerary acts as a list of voucher ideas for family and friends to purchase as wedding gifts. This week’s update launches the new online Wedding Gift List, advises of the annual closure of Yala National Park, concludes the Peoples of Sri Lanka series, and suggests first- or last-stop stays in Sri Lanka.

Sample page of the new Tikalanka Trip Planner

TikaWeeks #34/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 26th August 2018

The launch of the long anticipated new version of our Trip Planner has refreshed and updated the original for the mobile age. Based on Google Maps, the new Trip Planner may be accessed via mobile phones, tablets or laptops and enables you to create your own dream holiday to Sri Lanka and Maldives, wherever you are! This week’s update launches the beta release of our new Trip Planner, continues the Peoples of Sri Lanka series and offers accommodation options around Mirissa.

Independent Tailor-made Holidays to Sri Lanka & Maldives