News
Lanka safe destination for holidaymakers – Spanish tourists
by Harischandra Gunaratna
A group of young Spanish and Italian holidaymakers bitten by the travel bug and seeking adventure visiting touristic hotspots in the country, on the eve of their departure recently echoed in one voice that the Sri Lanka was one of the safest countries to travel.
Each day of their two week holiday in the country there was something exciting on offer they said.
In a brief interview with the Sunday Island at the Goldi Sands hotel, Negombo, they said: “We traveled to many places on our own and were never in danger and people were very friendly, hospitable and helpful. We usually travel alone and hence safety and security is of paramount importance and we have no hesitation in recommending holidaymakers to book Sri Lanka as their next destination.”
Twenty-year-old Sarai Benitez from Barcelona was mesmerised with the variety of attractions Sri Lanka’s tourism product had to offer and regretted that they had not visited the country earlier.
The young Spaniard said: “Your country is one of the most exotic tourist destinations in the world. All the girls in our group have decided to return to Sri Lanka again to visit the tourist attractions that we missed”.
Irene Nicotra, an Italian who lives in Barcelona, assured that upon their return home they would spread the message that Sri Lanka was quite a safe destination for holidaymakers.
Alba Gonzalez and Mireia Chantza said all the girls in the group were enthralled with their train journey surrounded by tea plantations and green tops from Nanu Oya to Ella. They had a rollicking time in Ella enjoying the carnival atmosphere and the picture postcard views of the area. “We visited Mirissa in the southern coast and enjoyed stilt fishing but missed the whales, but will come again next year for an expedition in deep sea and whale watching,” Chantza said.
They said we were pampered to a dream holiday, lazing around on the sun kissed beaches at the Goldi Sands, Negombo and enjoying exotic Sri Lankan cuisine with a vast spread of culinary delights with friendly staff and excellent service.
Irene said that she was enthralled to learn how to prepare a few Sri Lankan dishes during her stay at Goldi Sands and would try them at home.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The National Building Research Institute [NBRI] has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura valid upto 0900 AM on 23rd May 2026.
Accordingly,
LEVEL I [RED] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella and Dehiowita in the Kegalle district and Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colombo district, Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Horana, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Palindanuwara in the Kalutara district, Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Pelmadulla, Kiriella, Elapatha, Kalawana and Nivithigala in the Rathnapura district.
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Agalawatta and Mathugama in the Kalutara district, Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district and Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district.
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Minor flood situation likely to occur within the next few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River
Based on the heavy rainfall currently being received in the Kalu River Basin and the analysis of water level data recorded at hydrological gauging stations maintained by the Irrigation Department within the Kalu River Basin, it is hereby warned that a Minor Flood Situation is likely to occur within the next
few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River.
The affected areas include the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Elapatha, Kiriella in Ratnapura District.
The public residing in these areas, as well as motorists and passengers travelling through the affected regions, are strongly requested to act with utmost vigilance and to take all necessary
precautions. Disaster Management Authorities are requested to take necessary actions in this regard.
A considerable rainfall has occurred in the catchment areas of the Aththanagalu Oya Basin as atb5.00 AM today (22).
By analyzing the current rainfall situation and river water levels of Hydrological Stations on the Aththanagalu Oya, there is a possibility of a flood situation occuring in some low lying
areas of the Aththanagalu Oya and Uruwal Oya valleys situated in Diwulapitiya, Mirigama, Attanagalla, Mahara, Gampaha, Minuwangoda, Ja-ela, Katana and Wattala Div8sional Secretaries Divisions within next 48 hours.
Owing to this situation, there is a possibility of some of the roads running through these lowlying areas being inundated at some places.
The public residing in these areas, as well as motorists traveling through these regions, are requested to exercise extreme caution regarding this situation.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
Minor flood situation likely to occur within the next few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River
Flood warning issued to low lying areas of the Aththanagalu Oya and Uruwal Oya valleys
Flood warning issued to low lying areas of the Kelani River valley
Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Gampaha, Kalutara and Ratnapura
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