Check before you travel Hill-country railway: repairs after Cyclone Ditwah Checked 19 October 2026
Cyclone Ditwah damaged the hill-country railway in November 2025, and it is reopening in stages. Since 2 October 2026, trains run again from Colombo Fort to Peradeniya and Gampola, but Kandy station itself is not served yet. Earth slips near Kadigamuwa have blocked the line more than once since then, most recently early on 17 October 2026, when trains towards Gampola and Colombo Fort were delayed; expect delays or short suspensions after heavy rain. Trains between Nanu Oya and Badulla, which stop at Haputale, Ella and Demodara, restarted on 20 June 2026. The section between Gampola and Nanu Oya is still under repair, so you cannot yet go by train from Colombo or Kandy all the way to Ella. Check the latest services before you plan a rail journey, and book reserved seats on the Sri Lanka Railways seat reservation site.
March is the last month of the main season on the south and west coasts and the first of the inter-monsoon. For most of the month the weather still behaves: dry mornings on the beaches, sunshine on the ancient cities, whales off Mirissa. What changes is the afternoon, when thunderstorms start to build. March 2027 also packs in four public holidays from three religions, so a few days will feel different from the rest.
It’s a good month to go, especially in the first half.
What the weather does
The Department of Census and Statistics puts the first inter-monsoon in March and April. It describes afternoon thunderstorms that can break out anywhere on the island, but less rain overall than in October and November. In practice that means planning outdoor things for the morning and keeping the afternoon flexible.
- South and west coasts. Still in season, which runs from December to March, with calm seas. Sri Lanka Tourism gives Mirissa’s best beach months as November to April.
- Hill country. Mostly dry, with clearer mornings than afternoons. Recent visitors report that cloud and mist often close in by early afternoon, so start walks early.
- Ancient cities. Dry and hot. Climb Sigiriya or Pidurangala early, before the heat and any storms.
- East coast and north. The north-east monsoon has passed, and the east coast is drying out ahead of its season, which peaks in the middle of the year. Arugam Bay’s surf season, from April to October according to Sri Lanka Tourism, hasn’t quite started.
Our guide to the best time to visit Sri Lanka compares every month.
Holidays in March 2027
- Maha Sivarathri, 6 March. The Hindu night of Shiva, a public holiday.
- Id-ul-Fitr, 10 March. The festival at the end of Ramadan, a public holiday. Muslim festivals follow the Islamic lunar calendar, so check the date nearer the time.
- Medin Poya, Monday 22 March. A Poya holiday and dry day: liquor shops and bars close and meat isn’t sold.
- Good Friday, 26 March. A public holiday.
Banks and government offices close on public holidays. Our festival and Poya calendar has the rest of the year.
What to do in March
- Whale watching. Still in the season off Mirissa, which runs from November to April. See our Mirissa whale-watching guide.
- Sri Pada (Adam’s Peak). The pilgrimage season runs to Vesak in May. Sri Lanka Tourism says January to March is particularly busy and April is the peak, so March weekdays are your best chance of a shorter queue. Our guide to climbing Sri Pada at night explains the timing.
- Wildlife. Wilpattu is in its season, which Sri Lanka Tourism gives as February to October; Yala and Udawalawe are open. Our guide to Wilpattu or Yala helps you choose.
- The hill country by train. Trains between Nanu Oya, Haputale and Ella have run again since June 2026. Book reserved seats 30 days ahead, and check the travel update at the top of this page for the rest of the line.
- The east coast early. If you want to combine the south with the east, late March is the start of the changeover. For a trip built around the east coast, the middle of the year is better.
Crowds and prices
March is still part of the main season on the south and west coasts, so book popular hotels ahead.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is March a good time to visit Sri Lanka?
Yes. The south and west coasts are still in season, the ancient cities are dry, and whales are off Mirissa. Afternoon thunderstorms become more common as the month goes on.
Does it rain in Sri Lanka in March?
March is the start of the first inter-monsoon, when afternoon thunderstorms can break out anywhere, but there is less rain overall than in October and November.
What holidays are in Sri Lanka in March 2027?
Maha Sivarathri on 6 March, Id-ul-Fitr on 10 March, Medin Poya on 22 March and Good Friday on 26 March.
Can I see whales in March?
Yes. March is in the season off Mirissa, which Sri Lanka Tourism gives as November to April.
Is March good for the east coast?
It is drying out after the north-east monsoon, but the east coast’s best season is in the middle of the year.
Header photo: Chamixth / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
