The Ministry of Tourism is planning to promote alternative destinations to compensate for areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah, in an effort to prevent significant disruptions to the country’s tourism sector.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Chaminda Ranasinghe told The Daily Morning that destinations such as Meemure and Knuckles were heavily affected and will take time to recover, but noted these areas are not major tourist hubs. “For sites like Sinharaja and Hiniduma, we can offer experiences similar to Meemure and Knuckles. By providing these alternatives, we can keep our tourism goals on track,” he said.`

The minister added that popular tourist spots such as Down South, Nuwara Eliya, and Ella have not been affected, despite social media reports suggesting damage. He criticised unverified reporting as misleading for potential visitors.

Cyclone Ditwah caused significant damage in the Central Highlands, raising concerns over its impact on tourism. Although the disaster reportedly contributed to a loss of approximately 50,000 tourists this year, the Ministry remains optimistic about meeting its targets for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026.