The Ministry of Environment has announced that Sri Lanka’s Haggala Botanical Gardens, located in the Nuwara Eliya district, reopened to both domestic and foreign tourists on December 25. The gardens had previously been closed following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.

Deputy Minister of Environment, Anton Jayakody, conducted an inspection of the gardens on December 12 alongside officials to evaluate the current conditions and assess potential landslide risks. This assessment led to the implementation of recommendations from the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), paving the way for the gardens’ reopening.

The statement highlighted that certain areas, particularly the pond area near the entrance gate and access roads leading to the forest park, have shown hazardous ground conditions and are temporarily closed to the public. Warning signs have been installed to deter visitors from entering these restricted zones.

To prioritize the safety and convenience of visitors, the Botanical Garden staff has established a special assistance program to aid both local and international tourists during their visit.