UK TRAVEL WARNING: Sri LankaPUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT13 August 2005 Sri Lanka
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary, and Political Situation, sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed. SUMMARY- We advise against all but essential travel to the north or east other than to the towns of Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay (but see paragraphs below under Safety and Security and Natural Disasters). Much of the north and east of Sri Lanka remains heavily mined, particularly around the A9 road to Jaffna.
- The Government of Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency following the assassination of the Foreign Minister in Colombo on 12 August. The state of emergency allows for enhanced security measures, including the possible imposition of curfews. Visitors should follow local developments closely, be aware of their surroundings and avoid political gatherings or demonstrations.
- The tsunami in December 2004, resulted in extensive damage and large numbers of casualties on the south-western, southern and eastern coasts of Sri Lanka. Many hotels and other tourist accommodation have been repaired quickly and have reopened, although others remain closed. We advise anyone planning to travel to areas affected by the tsunami to check with their tour operators and/or hotel before departing to ensure that the hotel is operating. Most hotels in the eastern towns of Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay have yet to reopen. (For further details please refer to the Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice).
- There is a threat from domestic terrorism in Sri Lanka.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.
SAFETY AND SECURITYTerrorism There is a threat from domestic terrorism in Sri Lanka. In the course of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka since 1983, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have carried out a number of terrorist attacks. In February 2002, the Sri Lankan Government and LTTE signed a formal ceasefire agreement. In July 2004 a suicide bomber detonated herself after being taken to a police station in Colombo for questioning, killing herself and four police officers. This was the first such attack for over two years. A Government Minister was believed to have been the intended target. On 29 November 2004 a grenade was thrown in a bus in Trincomalee killing one and seriously injuring two others. It is not clear who was responsible for the attack. On 11 December, a grenade was thrown at an outdoor concert in Colombo killing two and injuring 11 others. It is not yet known who was responsible. On 29 April 2005, a journalist was abducted and killed in Colombo. On 31 May, an army officer was killed by gunmen in Colombo. There have been a number of recent security incidents in the town of Trincomalee, including grenade attacks (see Political Situation below). Neither British nationals, nor Western interests more generally, have previously been the targets of terrorist attacks. However there is a danger that foreigners might inadvertently get caught up if there were further attacks. Likely LTTE targets would be government buildings or security installations (particularly in Colombo). Major cultural centres, the hill country and coastal tourist resorts were largely unaffected by previous terrorist attacks by the LTTE, although the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy suffered considerable damage from a bombing in February 1998 and Colombo international airport was attacked in July 2001. You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Please read: Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas for further information and guidance. Visitors to Sri Lanka should be aware of their surroundings and avoid large gatherings. Crime While violent crimes against foreigners are relatively infrequent, reports of sexual assaults on tourists, and robberies in or near tourist sites, have increased. When travelling around Sri Lanka, you should make arrangements through reputable travel companies (such as those identified in your guidebook or local listings information) and exercise caution. Women visitors in particular should take care when travelling alone and be wary of befriending strangers. There has been a small increase in the number of reported thefts from hotels and guesthouses. You should take precautions to safeguard your valuables, especially passports and money. Political Situation The Government of Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency following the assassination of the Foreign Minister in Colombo on 12 August. The state of emergency allows for enhanced security measures, including the possible imposition of curfews. Visitors should follow local developments closely, be aware of their surroundings and avoid political gatherings or demonstrations. There has been a long-standing conflict in Sri Lanka between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE ("Tamil Tigers"). A formal ceasefire agreement was signed in February 2002, and is still holding. While the conflict was mostly confined to the north and east, there were terrorist attacks within Colombo and other parts of the country. Since the ceasefire the threat of further attacks has fallen, although you should remain vigilant (see Terrorism section above). The political situation is generally calm throughout the country. Any curfews or security measures that may be imposed (e.g. roadblocks or police/ military checkpoints) must be observed. While most of Sri Lanka was unaffected by fighting between the security forces and the LTTE, the conflict in and to the south of the Jaffna peninsula was intense. There were frequent attacks in the east of the country (Batticaloa and Ampara Districts). Since the ceasefire the roads into both areas have been opened up to traffic and there are scheduled flights from Colombo to Jaffna. See Local Travel. Following a split in the LTTE in early March 2004, fighting occurred between rival LTTE factions in April 2004, in the area of the Verugal River, about 40 miles north of Batticaloa. Since then, there have been a significant number of tit-for-tat killings in the east between factions loyal to the leader of the breakaway faction and the main LTTE leadership in the north. You should check the security situation with your hotel and listen to news reports before you go to any of these areas. You should continue to avoid areas north of Puttalam, Anuradhapura and Nilaveli and the east coast between Trincomalee and Pottuvil, including Batticaloa. There have been a number of recent security incidents in the town of Trincomolee. Most of these incidents, several of which have resulted in deaths, have involved Sri Lankan security forces and the LTTE. However, two civilians were injured in a grenade attack in the town of Trincomalee on 14 July 2005. And in May 2005, two civilians were killed in separate attacks, one while attending a demonstration. There have also been a number of "hartals" (widely observed strikes/unofficial curfews). You should check the current political situation before travelling. Visitors to the town of Trincomalee should follow local developments carefully and remain vigilant. Local TravelWe advise against all but essential travel to the north or east. Much of the north and east of Sri Lanka remains heavily mined, particularly around the A9 road to Jaffna. You should avoid travelling off the main A9 road. Pay particular attention to signs warning of mines, and do not step off metalled roads. The infrastructure in the north and east remains basic with very limited emergency services, and few hotels or guesthouses. The tsunami on 26 December has severely damaged infrastructure on the east coast as well as on the southern and south-western coasts (see Natural Disasters section of this Travel Advice). Road Safety Buses are generally badly maintained and bus drivers often have little or no training. Private bus drivers, in particular, drive very dangerously (their pay is dependent on the number of passengers they carry, so they tend to race each other to the next bus station). On 27 April 2005, a bus was hit by a train after ignoring a level crossing signal. 35 bus passengers were killed. Alternative forms of transport should be used where possible. Taxis and hire cars are inexpensive and readily available in Colombo and tourist areas. However, you should be aware that dangerous driving, poor maintenance of vehicles and bad road conditions are the cause of frequent traffic accidents. If driving yourself, be aware that other road users may behave erratically. You may need to take more care than you are used to. In general, bigger vehicles take precedence. Flashing headlights mean that the driver is not planning to give way (unlike in the UK). Motorised rickshaws are readily available for hire in towns and villages, and most drivers are reliable. However, you should exercise caution, for example by changing to a different rickshaw if yours is being driven dangerously. Women in particular should be wary of travelling on their own in a rickshaw at night. The conflict areas in the north and east were heavily mined, and in these regions travel off the main roads should be avoided. Always take notice of signs warning about the danger from mines and do not step off metalled roads. You must comply with instructions at all roadblocks and security checks. Visitors intending to drive should hold an international driving licence validated by the Sri Lankan Automobile Association (SLAA). Licences can be validated over the counter at a SLAA office. Rail Safety There have been a number of derailments affecting both tourist trains and commuter trains. Air Safety Several new airline companies have recently started flights between Colombo and Jaffna, but their safety and maintenance procedures are unknown. We advise against all but essential travel to Jaffna. Sea Safety There have been attacks against ships in and around Sri Lankan waters. Mariners are advised to take appropriate precautions. The coastline and adjacent territorial sea of the Trincomalee, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, Killinochchi and Mannar administrative districts in the north and east have been declared restricted zones by the Sri Lankan authorities and should be avoided. The Sri Lankan navy has fired on unauthorised ships in these areas. Entry into Sri Lankan waters, at any point, requires prior permission. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMSYou are subject to local laws in Sri Lanka. A violation of local laws may result in a jail sentence, served in a local prison. There are severe penalties for all drug offences and crimes related to the abuse of children. Same sex relations are illegal. Convicted offenders may face lengthy jail sentences. Although Sri Lankan attitudes to informal European styles of dress are generally relaxed, visitors should consider religious or other sensibilities. Do not enter a Buddhist temple wearing headgear or with bare legs. You should avoid posing for photographs standing in front of a statue of the Buddha. Always remove footwear. Nude or topless bathing is generally not allowed. Videoing and photography should be limited to traditional tourist sites and are prohibited near military and government installations. ENTRY REQUIREMENTSBritish nationals do not require a visa to visit Sri Lanka for tourism but must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after the end of their stay. They are normally allowed a one-month stay at each time of entry. A visa is required for all other purposes. Those wishing to extend their stay in Sri Lanka should seek an extension from the Department of Immigration and Emigration. To overstay without authorisation attracts a fine and possible detention. HEALTHWhile many medical personnel have received their training in the UK and other Western countries, emergency medical treatment is not available countrywide and injured persons are brought to Colombo for treatment. The options for repatriation to the UK or neighbouring countries in an emergency are limited. Medical facilities are not always of a standard expected in the UK, particularly outside Colombo, and treatment in private hospitals can be expensive. Malaria exists in parts of Sri Lanka and the dengue fever bearing mosquito is found throughout the country. Outbreaks of dengue increase during the monsoon season. Before travelling, you should contact your GP for medical and inoculation advice. Rabies is widespread and common in local cats, dogs, squirrels, monkeys and other animals. For further information on health, check the Department of Health's website at: www.dh.gov.uk NATURAL DISASTERSThe tsunami on 26 December 2004 caused large-scale damage and extensive casualties along the eastern, southern and south western coastline of Sri Lanka. Many hotels and other tourist accommodation in the south and south-west have been repaired quickly and have reopened, although others remain closed. Most hotels on the east coast in Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay suffered major damage and remain closed. We advise anyone planning to travel to areas affected by the tsunami to check with their tour operators and/or hotel before departing to ensure that the hotel is operating. There has not been a large-scale outbreak of disease in affected areas. If you do, however, intend to visit affected areas, you should ensure that your inoculations are up to date and be particularly careful to drink only bottled or purified water as local water sources may be contaminated. For further information, check the Department of Health's website at: www.dh.gov.uk. Visitors are able to travel as normal to parts of Sri Lanka unaffected by the tsunami, including Colombo. General The monsoon season extends from December to March in the northeast and June to October in the southwest. You should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. GENERALYou should take care when bathing in the sea as there are dangerous undercurrents and strong riptides. If in doubt, follow local advice eg from your hotel. You must reconfirm your flights at least 72 hours before departure. You must take out full insurance cover for medical treatment and accidents. You should have cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash, cards, passport or luggage. You are advised to check carefully what other risks your insurance policy covers. You cannot change Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes. Most major banks will change US dollar travellers' cheques as well as allow Visa and Mastercard cash withdrawals. There are ATMs in major cities but some do not accept international cards. Credit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. Leave copies of your card numbers with family or friends. Foreigners must be able to show some identity if requested by, for example, the police. You should carry your passport at all times as a form of identity, and leave details with family or friends. We strongly recommend that all British nationals who are resident, or visiting for over three months, register with the British High Commission in Colombo. | 
