Travel to Sri Lanka amid economic crisis? Media and Reality: My first-hand experience

Travel to Sri Lanka amid economic crisis? Media and Reality

Just when Sri Lanka was trying hard to emerge out of the covid-19 pandemic, it got hit by another wave of its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948, making it tougher for the country to recuperate from the after effects. 
I understand that Sri Lanka is not the only country suffering from the post-pandemic complications. I recently got invited to visit the crisis-hit Sri Lanka by the national carrier of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Airlines, towards their effort in promoting tourism to international travellers for the country's economy.

Travel to Sri Lanka amid the economic crisis? My first-hand experience

​What caused the economic crisis in Sri Lanka?

There are a background of historical events like the government policies, taxation rules, monopoly of FDIs in the hospitality sector, incorrect borrowings for quick fixes and the political turmoil in Sri Lanka that can be accounted for the current situation. However, the crisis started surfacing in 2019 with the following events:

1. Slowdown in tourism after the Easter bombings in 2019
2. Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions on tourism in 2020
3. Agricultural crisis in 2021 caused by the country's ambition to be the world's first organic farming nation, however the government kept denying the food shortages.
4. Forex crisis which lead to default on repayment of foreign debts.
5. ​Heavy printing of local currency by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and unofficial money transfers to foreign accounts by the non-residents.

Tourism in Sri Lanka is on a slowdown

How does the economic crisis in Sri Lanka affect the local life?

Sri Lankan residents are facing the brunt of the current economic crisis:

1. Fuel Shortage: Majorly affects the people whose income is dependent on transportation services. People wait at the fuel stations in endless queues for days together. Lately, only essential vehicles are allowed fuel in the country. 
2. Cooking Gas Shortage: The lower-income families who use kerosene for cooking are majorly affected. Women queue up at the stores with cans. The villagers who follow traditional cooking methods using firewood are the least affected.
3. Electricity Shortage: Daily power cuts ranging from 12 hours - 2 hours are imposed in the country.
4. Inflation: All the shortages followed by surge in global fuel prices has caused restrictions on imports and heavy inflation on food and other items in the country.
5. Schools: The schools are temporarily shut down due to fuel, electricity & printing paper shortages.

Having said that, I observed people of Sri Lanka celebrating their special occasions and weddings, shopping and eating out as well. They are being resilient and finding ways to deal with the shortages by going back to the local & indigenous sources. Families are trying to bond during the power cuts. Just like the pandemic, the economic crisis coerced people to adapt alternate lifestyles.

People in Sri Lanka waiting in long queues at fuel stations

Inflation soaring high in Sri Lanka amid the economic crisis

What are the citizens of Sri Lanka protesting against?

1. Resignation of the current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
2. Resolution to the financial crisis.

The protests in Sri Lanka began in March 2022, with the opposition party of Sri Lanka and their supporters demanding resignation of the current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for mishandling of the country's economy. The demonstrators have set up a designated camp near the Parliament and citizens often walk down to President's office to raise their voice to resolve the current crisis. The protests are generally silent and peaceful, however, sometimes it results into clashes which are quickly controlled by the police.

Protest site at Parliament, Colombo, Sri Lanka

​I walked down the roads near the Parliament in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and I was moved by the energy the citizens of the country are bringing together. Their demands for the resolution of the financial crisis is their right. If their blame for the country's current condition on the corrupt government is true, I believe that the fight for change is totally justified and the country needs to go through a major change.

Silent protests by the citizens of Sri Lanka on the road side of Colombo, near the parliament

​On the other side, I feel if the protests are only a propaganda supported by some power with an intention to take advantage of the country's current situation, the common man doesn't deserve the repercussions. 
I hope that the situation in Sri Lanka changes for the better. We all deserve a better future.

Demonstrators at Sri Lanka protest demanding transparent governments

Citizens of Sri Lanka demanding change of leaders

How does the current economic crisis affect tourism in Sri Lanka?

I was overwhelmed to see that Sri Lanka has managed to keep its tourism and hospitality services intact in the current crisis. Tourism is the backbone of Sri Lankan economy and it is also a source of foreign exchange income. The tourism authorities in Sri Lanka are promoting tourism to international travellers and are relying on India as one of their biggest markets.

• They have fuel & electricity reserves for the tourism sector. As a tourist, I didn't face any challenges owing to the current situation in the country.
• The international airlines in Sri Lanka are flying smoothly as they are refuelling their aircrafts in other countries during layovers.

Sri Lankan style welcome to Cinnamon Hotels

Sri Lankan Hospitality - People with Smiles

​The Aussie Cricket Team and Indian Women Cricket Team were hosted in Sri Lanka while I was around, everything felt normal then. The Sri Lankan crowd thanked the Aussies for supporting their economy during their difficult times. I can already see the wave of positivity!

The benefits of traveling to Sri Lanka in the current situation

1. Special promotional discounts offered by travel agents for Sri Lanka.
2. Sri Lankan currency has fallen against the INR & USD, the trips are cheaper for the international travellers.
3. For international tourists, their currency value balances the inflation in the country.
4. The destinations are not over crowded, since some countries have rolled out advisories against traveling to Sri Lanka.
5. If you were eyeing that Ceylon Tea or Batik Silk from Sri Lanka, it will cost you cheaper now. 

Ceylon Black Tea - Forest Fruit

Sri Lankan Handcrafted Batik Print

Is it safe to travel to Sri Lanka amid the economic crisis?

I would be completely honest here. No country feels completely safe to me since the pandemic, each one is going through a crisis of its own. However, during my trip to Sri Lanka, I faced no concerns regarding my safety due to the protests or the economic crisis in the country.
The protests are confined to a designated area and the demonstrators don't intervene with the tourists.
​My trip was planned with Ark Travel Group (Mumbai based travel company) & Sri Lankan Airlines, who took complete responsibility of my travel arrangements:

1. Flights
2. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
3. Internal Transfers
4. Hotels (accommodation with meals)
5. Travel Itinerary
6. Travel Insurance

If you plan to travel to Sri Lanka under the current crisis, I strongly suggest having a proper itinerary in place and booking your trip with a reliable tour operator who can handle your internal travel arrangements.

Travel to Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan Airlines

Media's role in highlighting the situation in Sri Lanka?

We are living in a time of information overload, but still far away from reality. ​
I'm so glad I took up this opportunity of traveling to Sri Lanka amid the crisis, as a first-hand experience. It gives me more insights into the reality of the situation. I believe that media highlights only one side of the story and there are always more sides to it. 
I'm hopeful that the other sides of the stories would uncover for the better, and Sri Lanka would get back on its path. The people in the country are demonstrating high energies for a wave of change!

Thank you Sri Lankan Airlines, Ark Travel Group & Travel Writers Association of India for making me a part of your journey in your efforts towards Sri Lanka's tourism & economy.