Cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara on Wednesday urged international travellers to return to Sri Lanka, describing tourism as a crucial driver of the country’s recovery following its worst flooding in decades.
In a video message shared on social media, the former national captain highlighted the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck in late November. The storm triggered widespread flooding and landslides, affecting around 2.2 million people across all 25 districts and leaving more than 600 people dead or missing.
Addressing potential visitors, Sangakkara reassured travellers that the country remains open and safe. He said that by choosing Sri Lanka as a destination, tourists directly support local communities and contribute to the nation’s recovery efforts.
Although a nationwide State of Emergency was declared on November 29, tourism authorities say Sri Lanka is steadily returning to normal. Essential services, including international airports and major road networks, are fully operational, while most key attractions, such as the Sigiriya rock fortress and southern coastal beaches, were either minimally affected or have already reopened to visitors.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Cyclone Ditwah inundated nearly 20 percent of the country’s land area and damaged more than 100,000 homes. Preliminary estimates suggest that damage to infrastructure and livelihoods exceeds USD 5 billion.
Tourism industry leaders stressed that the winter peak season is vital for the economy, which depends heavily on tourism as a key source of foreign exchange earnings.
Emphasizing national resilience, Sangakkara said the country’s spirit remains unchanged, noting that collective strength and unity will drive the rebuilding process.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau reported that more than 70,000 tourists arrived during the first half of December, indicating continued confidence among international travellers despite the recent disaster.
