The Riverstone Tourist Zone in the Knuckles Reserve, which was temporarily closed following the impact of Cyclone ‘Ditwa’, has now been reopened to both local and foreign tourists.
Access roads to the Riverstone Tourist Zone from Matale, Rattota, and Laggala had suffered severe damage due to the cyclone. However, the damaged road network has been successfully reconstructed within a short period of two months.
At present, only light vehicles are permitted to enter the Riverstone Tourist Zone via these roads.
In addition, public transport services will also be introduced along these routes, enabling local and foreign tourists to explore and experience the natural beauty of the Riverstone Tourist Zone using these transport facilities.
Authorities have requested that visitors to the highly sensitive World Heritage-listed Knuckles Reserve in Riverstone use only light vehicles responsibly and strictly follow local guidelines, ensuring that the ecological system is not harmed.
The rapid restoration of the severely damaged road system was made possible through the intervention and cooperation of the Road Development Authority, the Tri-Forces, the District Secretariat, the Rattota and Laggala Divisional Secretariats, Pradeshiya Sabhas, as well as several voluntary organizations.
