The Sri Lanka Railway Department has made it mandatory for foreign tourists booking train tickets to Ella to provide their passport numbers, in a decisive move to dismantle a long-running ticket reselling racket on the scenic Udarata Menike and Podi Menike routes.

These trains, especially the stretch between Nanu Oya and Ella, are among Sri Lanka’s most sought-after journeys for both local and foreign travellers. However, for years, organised groups have been buying large numbers of tickets in advance and reselling them at highly inflated prices on the black market. This has left many genuine passengers — including tourists — paying exorbitant rates or struggling to secure seats.

The new policy, now in full effect, requires passport numbers to be entered at the time of booking for foreign nationals. While it was initially rolled out with a grace period, as of yesterday, foreign travellers starting their journey from Ella must have their correct passport number printed on their ticket.

Railway officials have begun strictly enforcing the rule. Tourists whose tickets do not display their passport number — or display one belonging to someone else — are being refused boarding. In several cases, visitors arriving at Ella station with tickets purchased under another person’s ID were forced to buy new third-class tickets to continue their journey. Travellers must now carry their passports to verify the details on their tickets.

Despite some initial inconvenience for unprepared passengers, the measure has been widely welcomed by the public. Many see it as the most effective step yet to end the long-standing ticket scam.