• A German national rescued in Nochchiyagama

Although communication with several stations in main tourist destinations has been difficult due to prevailing conditions, the Tourist Police stated they are continuously working to track the safety of tourists.

An official from the Tourist Police told The Daily Morning that a significant communication breakdown is affecting severely impacted areas that remain inaccessible by road. 

“Worried relatives are contacting embassies, and the embassies are reaching out to us for updates on tourists’ wellbeing. We are unable to reach some relevant police stations or local authorities due to communication disruptions. However, we are continuously working to track the safety of tourists,” he said.

The official added that only one incident involving a tourist has been reported so far. Sixty passengers, including a German national, were rescued from the roof of a bus near Nochchiyagama. The bus, travelling from Anuradhapura to Colombo, had entered heavy floodwaters near the Kala Oya bridge on Friday (28). As water levels rose, passengers climbed onto the roof of a nearby house, where they were later rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy.