UK TRAVEL WARNING: Sri LankaPUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT15 November 2006 Sri Lanka
SUMMARY- We advise against all travel to the north or east of Sri Lanka. If you are in the north or east, you should leave. For the purpose of this travel advice we consider the north to be all areas north of the A12 road (which runs from Puttalam in the west to Trincomalee in the east) including the Jaffna peninsula; and we consider the east to be the districts of Trincomalee and Batticaloa, as well as coastal areas of Ampara district north of Pottuvil and east of the A25 and A27 roads.
- There are reports of continuing fighting between the Sri Lanka government forces and the Liberation Tigers Eelam (LTTE) throughout the north and east. This has included the use of ground forces, artillery fire, mines, air and naval attacks. Further fighting could occur with little or no warning.
- There is a high threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka and a risk of British nationals and other foreigners becoming indiscriminately caught up in attacks. Terrorist attacks have also taken place in central and southern Sri Lanka in or close to areas and travel routes popular with tourists. Please see the Terrorism section of this travel advice for more details.
- You should follow local developments closely, be aware of your surroundings and alert to changing situations. You are strongly advised to comply with government and security force instructions. Avoid large gatherings particularly political meetings or demonstrations.
- We strongly recommend that all British nationals who are resident and/or working in Sri Lanka, or visiting for over one month, should register with the British High Commission in Colombo.
- About 90,000 British nationals visit Sri Lanka each year. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Sri Lanka is for replacing lost or stolen passports and ill health.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.
SAFETY AND SECURITYTerrorism There is a high threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka. Recent attacks have also taken place in central and southern Sri Lanka in or close to areas and travel routes popular with tourists, as well as throughout the north and east. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE (the Tamil Tigers) have been engaging in a long running armed insurgency against the Sri Lankan authorities. They have carried out a significant number of terrorist attacks and have previously attacked civilian targets. In October 2006 there were attacks on the Dambulla-Habarana highway (about 10 km from the Habarana resorts) and in the port of Galle. In September 2006 there was also inter-ethnic rioting in the town of Arugam Bay. In August 2006, two explosions killed and injured a number of people, including bystanders, in central Colombo. On 15 June 2006, 64 civilians were killed when their bus was hit by a mine on the A29 road east of Vavuniya. In May 2006, seven Sri Lankan tourists were killed in an explosion in Wilpattu National Park. In April and June 2006, suicide attacks against senior military officers in Colombo killed 16 and injured many more. There is a continuing risk of British nationals and other foreigners becoming indiscriminately caught up in attacks. Crime Violent crimes against foreigners are relatively infrequent, although there have been reports of sexual offences and muggings. 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 appropriate caution. Women should take care when travelling alone. There has been an increase in the number of reported thefts from hotels and guesthouses. You should take sensible precautions to safeguard your valuables, especially passports and money. There are reports of credit card fraud. Political Situation In February 2002, the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE signed a cease-fire agreement aimed at bringing an end to a conflict, which had flared up in 1983. Despite this, there is political violence throughout the north and east of Sri Lanka, with attacks on the security forces and violence between different armed groups (see the Terrorism section of this travel advice for more details). The government of Sri Lanka's security legislation provides wide-ranging discretionary powers. You are strongly advised to comply with government and security force instructions. There have been a number of "hartals" (widely observed general strikes) and curfews in the north and east. You should avoid political gatherings or demonstrations. You should also avoid military installations, which have been the most frequent target of attacks. You should follow local developments closely, be aware of your surroundings and alert to changing situations. Local Travel We advise against all travel to the north or east of Sri Lanka. There are reports of fighting throughout the north and east. For the purposes of this travel advice we consider the north to be all areas north of the A12 road (which runs from Puttalam in the west to Trincomalee in the east), including the Jaffna peninsula; and that the east is the districts of Trincomalee, and Batticaloa as well as coastal areas of Ampara district north Panama, and east of the A25 and A27 roads. Commercial flights in and out of Jaffna are not operating on a regular basis. The A9 road, which runs east from Jaffna, is closed. There has been civil unrest in the east, including in Pottuvil, Boatticaloa and Trincomalee. There are reports of heavy fighting throughout the north and east. This has included the use of ground forces, artillery fire, mines, air and naval attacks. Further fighting could occur with little or no warning. Much of the north and east of Sri Lanka remains heavily land-mined, particularly around the A9 road from Vavuniya to Jaffna. 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. Road Safety You should be prepared for the unexpected. Erratic driving and bad road conditions contribute to frequent traffic accidents. Buses are generally badly maintained and bus drivers often have little or no training. Bus crashes are a regular occurrence. In April 2005, 35 bus passengers were killed when a train hit a bus after the driver ignored a level crossing signal. Alternative forms of transport should be used where possible. Taxis and hire cars are inexpensive in Colombo and tourist areas. Motorised rickshaws are readily available for hire in towns and villages, and most drivers are reliable. Women, in particular, should be wary of travelling on their own in a rickshaw at night. You should comply with instructions at all roadblocks and security checks. Rail Safety There have been a number of derailments affecting both tourist trains and commuter trains. Sea Safety There have been attacks against ships in and around Sri Lankan waters. There have been recent clashes between the Sri Lankan navy and the LTTE, particularly around Trincomalee and Mannar. Mariners are advised to take appropriate precautions. The coastline and adjacent territorial sea of the Trincomalee, Mullaittivu, Jaffna, Kilinochchi 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 and violating them may result in a jail sentence. There are severe penalties for all drug offences and crimes related to the abuse of children. Convicted offenders may face lengthy jail sentences. Use of video and/or photography is prohibited near military and government installations and can result in arrest or detention. Same sex relations are illegal. Although Sri Lankan attitudes to informal European styles of dress are generally relaxed, you should consider religious and other sensibilities. Do not enter a Buddhist temple wearing headgear or with bare legs or shoulders. You should avoid posing for photographs standing in front of a statue of the Buddha. Always remove footwear. Nude or topless sun-bathing is generally not allowed. ENTRY REQUIREMENTSVisas are required for Sri Lanka. If you are a British national visiting for tourism for 30 days or less, you can obtain a visa on arrival, but this cannot be extended. If you stay longer than your visa allows, you are liable to a fine and possible detention. All other visas, including for those undertaking voluntary activity and/or unpaid work, should be obtained at a Sri Lankan High Commission/Embassy before you travel. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the end of your intended stay. Please contact your nearest Sri Lankan diplomatic representation for the latest information. HEALTHWe strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Emergency medical treatment is not easily available outside main cities, and you may have to be brought to Colombo for treatment. Medical facilities are not always of a standard expected in the UK, particularly outside Colombo. Treatment in private hospitals can be expensive and the options for repatriation to the UK or neighbouring countries in an emergency are limited and very expensive. Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease occurs throughout the country and outbreaks increase during the monsoon season. Malaria also exists in parts of Sri Lanka. More than three-quarters of British travellers who contracted malaria in 2005 did not take preventive measures, such as malaria prevention tablets. However, malaria can occur despite appropriate prevention, and therefore you should promptly seek medical care in the event of a fever or flu-like illness in the first year following your return from travelling to a malaria risk country. Before travelling you should seek medical advice about the malaria risk in Sri Lanka. You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. NATURAL DISASTERSThe December 2004 tsunami killed more than 30,000 people and caused large-scale damage along the eastern, southern and south western coastline of Sri Lanka. Most hotels and other tourist accommodation in the south and south-west have reopened. If you are planning to travel to areas which may have been affected by the tsunami, check with your tour operators and/or hotel to make sure that tourist facilities are available. | 
