The Department of Wildlife Conservation has announced a series of special regulations and restrictions for pilgrims and tourists visiting the Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak) shrine during the upcoming Sri Pada season.
According to the Department, the measures have been introduced to ensure the protection of the sensitive ecosystem surrounding the Sri Pada Sanctuary while facilitating the safe movement of visitors.
Permitted and Prohibited Access Routes
The Department stated that only two routes will be officially open for pilgrims during the season:
- Nallathanniya–Hatton route
- Ratnapura–Sri Palabaddala route
Meanwhile, access through the following routes has been strictly prohibited:
- Kuruwita–Eratna route
- Denehakanda–Mookkuwatta route
- Deraniyagala–Udamaliboda route
- Marewatta–Sandagalatenna route
Authorities warned that unauthorized travel through these routes during the pilgrimage season is prohibited.
Mandatory Entry Tickets
The Department also announced that all visitors crossing the Sri Pada Sanctuary during the season must obtain a valid permit or ticket from the Wildlife Offices located in Nallathanniya or Palabaddala before commencing their journey.
Traveling without a valid permit will constitute an offence under the relevant wildlife regulations.
Fees for Domestic Visitors
Under the revised fee structure:
- A fee of Rs. 1,000 will be charged for an individual visitor or a group of up to ten persons.
- For groups exceeding ten members, an additional charge of Rs. 100 will apply for each person beyond the initial ten.
Submission of Personal Information
The Department further stated that visitors will be required to provide personal details for monitoring and safety purposes.
For group visits, organizers must submit a document containing the full names, addresses, National Identity Card (NIC) numbers, and telephone numbers of all participants.
Individuals traveling alone will be required to provide their personal details at the relevant Wildlife Department counter before entering the sanctuary.
The Department of Wildlife Conservation emphasized that these measures have been introduced to improve visitor management, strengthen environmental protection efforts, and ensure the safety of pilgrims visiting the sacred site during the Sri Pada season.
