The Riverston tourist zone in Sri Lanka’s central highlands has officially reopened to visitors under tight access controls, two months after Cyclone Ditwah cut off roads, triggered landslides and forced authorities to close one of the island’s most scenic but fragile mountain corridors.

Officials say the move marks a symbolic milestone in the country’s wider tourism recovery, while warning that Riverston’s return will be carefully phased and constantly reviewed in line with safety and environmental conditions.

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A Cautious Reopening After Cyclone Ditwah’s Trail of Damage

The decision to reopen Riverston came on January 30, following a meeting of the Matale District Coordinating Committee chaired by Deputy Minister Gamage Dissanayake. Matale District Secretary Prasanna Madanayake announced that both local and foreign tourists would be allowed back into the famed Knuckles Riverston corridor, part of a UNESCO-listed World Heritage landscape, but only under strict conditions focused on road safety and slope stability.

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in late November 2025, brought days of torrential rain and powerful winds that left a nationwide trail of destruction. Mountain districts such as Kandy, Matale and Badulla experienced extensive landslides and slope failures, while floodwaters damaged or washed away sections of key provincial roads. Riverston, known for its steep hairpin bends, narrow ridgelines and plunging valleys, was among the highland destinations most vulnerable to the cyclone’s impact.

Authorities initially sealed off access to Riverston as geologists and engineers assessed the structural integrity of the mountain road network and the stability of saturated hillsides. Over the past weeks, emergency repairs, debris clearance and targeted slope protection efforts were carried out under the guidance of the Road Development Authority, with support from the Sri Lanka Army and local government agencies. The limited reopening reflects their conclusion that controlled visitor movement can now resume without undue risk, provided heavy traffic is kept in check.

Officials emphasize that the reopening is provisional and subject to change. Continued monitoring of rainfall patterns, ground movement and drainage will guide any future expansion or tightening of restrictions, especially during the region’s next wet spell.

Light Vehicles Only as Authorities Prioritize Road and Visitor Safety

Under the new guidelines, access to Riverston is currently restricted to light vehicles, a measure that local officials describe as both a safety precaution and an environmental safeguard. Heavy vehicles and private tour buses with two doors are not permitted beyond designated control points, with exceptions made only for public passenger buses that serve resident communities in the area.

Technical assessments conducted after Cyclone Ditwah highlighted that several segments of the Riverston road network, particularly near exposed ridges and landslide-prone cuttings, remain vulnerable to additional stress. Heavy vehicles exert significantly greater pressure on already compromised surfaces and retaining structures, increasing the risk of cracks, subsidence or renewed slope failures. Limiting traffic to cars, vans and small four-wheel-drives is intended to stabilize the load on repaired sections while engineers continue reinforcing culverts, embankments and drainage channels.

For visitors, the restrictions mean that many organized coach tours will need to adjust itineraries or transfer guests to smaller vehicles at staging points before entering the sensitive zone. Authorities say they are working with local tourism operators and transport providers to streamline these arrangements and avoid ad hoc parking or congestion on narrow bends and lay-bys that could block emergency access.

Police and Forest Department personnel are expected to maintain a visible presence along the route in the initial weeks, checking compliance with vehicle limits, monitoring speed and ensuring that stopping in clearly marked danger zones is avoided. Officials have also urged drivers to take particular care during early morning and late evening hours, when mountain mist and low visibility can make Riverston’s sharp drops especially hazardous.

Environmental Concerns in a World Heritage Landscape

Beyond immediate safety, the re-opening strategy is heavily shaped by the need to protect the fragile ecosystems that make Riverston such a magnet for eco-tourism. The Riverston corridor forms part of the broader Knuckles Conservation Forest area, recognized internationally for its endemic flora and fauna and intricate system of cloud forests, grasslands and montane streams.

Cyclone Ditwah’s heavy rains not only destabilized slopes but also stripped vegetation in some exposed areas, increasing the risk of erosion and sediment runoff into river systems. Conservation specialists working with state agencies have cautioned that a sudden surge in unregulated traffic and footfall could compound these pressures at a time when the landscape is still in a delicate recovery phase.

To balance access with preservation, visitor movement is expected to be channeled toward established viewpoints and marked trails, with ad hoc off-trail hiking strongly discouraged. Officials are reviewing whether to introduce temporary caps on daily visitor numbers during peak weekends and holidays, especially at popular vantage points where narrow ridges and trampled vegetation can rapidly degrade if crowds are not managed.

Local environmental groups have broadly welcomed the cautious reopening but are calling for transparent reporting on any new landslide incidents, wildlife disturbance or trail degradation. They argue that Riverston’s long-term viability as a nature destination depends on embedding climate resilience and habitat protection into all tourism planning, particularly as extreme weather events become more frequent across South Asia.

Coordinated Recovery Effort Behind a Rapid Turnaround

Officials involved in the response say Riverston’s relatively swift reopening is a result of coordinated action between national agencies, local authorities and private tourism stakeholders. In the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, military units assisted in clearing fallen trees, rock debris and mud from access roads, while engineers from the Road Development Authority inspected culverts, bridges and guardrails.

At the same time, the Disaster Management Centre and the National Building Research Organisation continued issuing localized landslide warnings, guiding where crews could safely operate and which segments needed further stabilization before any traffic resumed. In villages around Riverston, community volunteers helped to restore basic services, reopen homestays and guesthouses, and support displaced families whose livelihoods depend heavily on tourism.

Tour operators and local guides say they worked closely with authorities to provide real-time information on blocked access points, visitor cancellations and emerging needs on the ground. Some businesses offered vehicles and logistics support to move supplies into cut-off communities, while hotel owners coordinated with regional tourism bodies to reassure international partners that Sri Lanka’s main visitor hubs remained accessible and safe.

The reopening of Riverston is thus being framed by officials as both a logistical achievement and a symbol of resilience for a sector that has already weathered an economic crisis, the pandemic and earlier climate-related shocks. For many small businesses in Matale District, it represents a crucial step toward stabilizing income and employment after weeks of uncertainty.

What the Reopening Means for Travelers Planning Central Highlands Trips

For travelers considering itineraries through Sri Lanka’s hill country in the coming months, Riverston’s reopening adds back a much-loved scenic detour that often links cultural triangle destinations with Kandy, Matale and the Knuckles range. However, tourism officials and on-the-ground operators stress that a degree of flexibility and preparedness will be essential as the region continues to adapt to post-cyclone realities.

Prospective visitors are being urged to confirm the latest local conditions with accommodation providers or tour operators shortly before travel, particularly regarding road access times, vehicle requirements and any temporary closures arising from heavy rain. The broader central highlands network is still susceptible to weather-related disruptions, and detours may occasionally be needed if maintenance crews are working on unstable sections.

Travelers should also be prepared for slightly longer journey times around Riverston, as speed limits are enforced more strictly and passing opportunities may be reduced due to narrowed carriageways or active repair work. Many operators are advising guests to schedule Riverston drives during daylight hours to make the most of the views while minimizing exposure to poor visibility and changing weather.

Those planning self-drive trips are encouraged to choose suitable vehicles, check that tires and brakes are in good condition and ensure that navigation apps are updated with current road data. Local drivers remain invaluable guides to the nuances of mountain routes, from reading cloud build-up on ridges to identifying safe stopping points for photographs without obstructing traffic.

National Tourism Recovery and Messaging After the Cyclone

Riverston’s reopening dovetails with a broader messaging effort by Sri Lankan tourism authorities and industry partners to reassure international visitors that the island remains open, safe and operational following Cyclone Ditwah. While the cyclone inflicted severe localized damage and a significant human toll, most of the country’s primary tourism zones, including popular beaches, cultural sites and many wildlife parks, have either remained largely unaffected or returned to normal operations.

Industry associations report that flight schedules to Sri Lanka’s main international airport continue to run, and major road corridors linking Colombo with the south coast, cultural heartland and large portions of the hill country are functioning. Rail services have been progressively restored on key lines, although some highland segments damaged by landslides remain under repair and may operate with reduced frequency for a period.

Tourism leaders have emphasized that visiting Sri Lanka at this time has a direct and positive impact on recovery efforts, channeling revenue to small hotels, guides, drivers, craftspeople and farmers whose livelihoods were strained by the cyclone. At the same time, they caution that responsible travel behavior is more important than ever, particularly in sensitive natural areas like Riverston where carrying capacity can be quickly exceeded.

Destination marketing campaigns are being recalibrated to highlight both the country’s enduring appeal and its track record of recovering swiftly from crises. For Riverston, the narrative now centers on quiet resilience: a mist-clad ridge that has weathered the storm and is ready to be rediscovered, albeit on more careful terms.

Local Communities Weigh Economic Hope Against Climate Risks

In villages scattered along the approaches to Riverston, the reopening brings a renewed sense of hope for guesthouse owners, food vendors, drivers and guides who rely heavily on tourism flows. Many endured weeks of cancellations following news of Cyclone Ditwah, compounding financial strains from earlier disruptions. With the mountain vistas and cool breezes once again drawing visitors, they are preparing to reopen rooms, restock kitchens and resume treks and jeep tours.

Yet conversations with local leaders and community groups reveal a sober recognition that climate-related hazards are likely to intensify in the years ahead. Residents recount how rainfall patterns have become more erratic, with longer dry spells punctuated by short, intense downpours that trigger flash floods and landslides. For those living and working in the shadow of steep slopes, each return of the rains brings a fresh measure of anxiety.

Some community organizations are using the period after Cyclone Ditwah to press for stronger early warning systems, better enforcement of building regulations and targeted support for families in high-risk zones. They argue that any long-term tourism strategy for Riverston must include investments in resilient infrastructure, sustainable land use and livelihood diversification so that economic gains are not wiped out by the next extreme event.

Local stakeholders are also exploring ways to deepen the link between eco-tourism and conservation, from community-led reforestation efforts to interpretive programs that help visitors understand the delicate balance that sustains Riverston’s landscapes. The hope is that a more informed visitor base will support, rather than strain, the ecosystems on which both tourism and local life depend.

FAQ

Q1. Is Riverston fully open to all types of vehicles now?
Riverston is open under restrictions and currently allows only light vehicles such as cars, small vans and similar transport into the main tourist zone. Heavy vehicles and large private tour buses are not permitted beyond certain points, with limited exceptions for essential public passenger services.

Q2. Are hiking trails and viewpoints in Riverston safe to visit after Cyclone Ditwah?
Key viewpoints and established trails that have been inspected and cleared by authorities are considered safe under normal weather conditions. However, visitors are advised to stay on marked paths, follow any trail closures and avoid venturing close to unstable edges or recently eroded slopes, especially after heavy rain.

Q3. Do travelers need special permits to enter the Riverston tourist zone now?
For most individual travelers, no new special permit system has been announced beyond the existing regulations for visiting the Knuckles Conservation area. Tour operators and groups should, however, confirm the latest access requirements with local authorities or park offices, as conditions and entry procedures may be adjusted over time.

Q4. How has road access to Riverston changed since the cyclone?
Emergency repairs and clearance work have restored basic road access to Riverston, but some sections remain narrower and more fragile than before Cyclone Ditwah. Speed limits are being more strictly enforced, overtaking opportunities may be fewer and temporary work zones can add to travel time, so drivers should plan for slower, more cautious journeys.

Q5. Is it advisable to include Riverston in a first-time Sri Lanka itinerary in 2026?
Yes, Riverston can still be a rewarding addition to a 2026 itinerary for travelers seeking cooler climates and mountain scenery, provided they are comfortable with some degree of flexibility. It is wise to check local updates shortly before travel, schedule the Riverston drive in daylight and coordinate with experienced drivers or guides familiar with current road and weather conditions.

Q6. What precautions should visitors take during bad weather in the area?
During periods of heavy rain, visitors should avoid unnecessary travel on steep mountain roads, stay clear of known landslide-prone cuttings and heed warnings or instructions from local authorities. If intense rainfall begins while already in the zone, it is usually safer to remain in secure accommodation and postpone hikes or scenic drives until conditions improve.

Q7. Are accommodation and tourism services around Riverston operating normally?
Many guesthouses, small hotels and tourism services in the Riverston region have resumed operations following post-cyclone repairs. That said, some properties may be operating with reduced capacity or ongoing maintenance, so travelers are encouraged to confirm bookings, available facilities and transport arrangements directly with their chosen providers.

Q8. How does visiting Riverston now support local recovery?
Spending on accommodation, guiding, transport and food in and around Riverston directly benefits families and small businesses that were affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Responsible tourism brings much-needed income back into the local economy, helping communities rebuild while sustaining incentives to protect the area’s natural assets.

Q9. Is Riverston suitable for families and less-experienced hikers under current conditions?
Riverston can still be suitable for families and less-experienced hikers when activities are chosen carefully. Short, guided walks to established viewpoints and gentle trails are generally preferable to longer, more remote treks. Families should pay close attention to children near drops, stick to recognized routes and avoid hiking in poor visibility or wet, slippery conditions.

Q10. Where can travelers get the most up-to-date information before heading to Riverston?
Travelers should seek updates from their accommodation providers in the Matale or Knuckles region, reputable local tour operators or official tourism and disaster management channels within Sri Lanka. These on-the-ground sources are best placed to share the latest information on road conditions, weather alerts and any temporary changes to access rules for the Riverston tourist zone.