Sri Lanka Travel Advice

• All travel to the northern Sri Lanka is not advised. The region in question is everything north of the A12 road that connects Trimcomalee in the east to Puttalam in the west. This is due to continual civil unrest between government forces and the Tamil Tiger separatists.

• All but essential travel is not recommended to most of the eastern Sri Lankan region. This includes but is not limited to the all the districts of Batticaloa, the rural districts of Trincomalee and the north and eastern regions of Ampara. This being the case, travel to the following places is still deemed safe: Trincomalee Town, as well as the A6 road to Trimcomalee, Block 1 of Yala National Park, parts of Ampara district south of the A4 road including Arugam Bay and parts of Ampara district west of the A25 and A27 roads.

• The main conflict between the Government and the Liberation of Tigers of Tamil Eelam (also known as �Tamil Tigers� or LTTE) ceased in May 2009. While all parts of Sri Lanka are under government control, there continues to be politically-driven violence and kidnappings in the north and eastern regions of the country. There is a nationwide state of emergency and elevated security measures still in place, as well as checkpoints in strategic locations. Always travel with the proper form of identification. Have the numbers of your country representative or consulate with you in case of accidental detention by Sri Lankan authorities.

• Given the recent end of military conflict, a greater nationalism has been instilled in Sri Lanka. As such, there have been occasional anti western demonstrations and stronger rhetoric against certain foreign nations. Get in touch with your home government to understand its take on the current political situation in Sri Lanka, and any issues that may arise with your travel there. Avoid any political gatherings and demonstrations in the urban centers of the country.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. Be aware of local reports and media coverage on the outbreak. The Government of Sri Lanka has installed surveillance measures at the Katunayake (Bandaranayake) International Airport. Visitors from A (H1N1) affected countries will be subject to questioning and medical testing for symptoms of the illness. Anyone suspected of having the illness will be sent to immediate and mandatory quarantine at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Angoda. Transfer to any better equipped facility will not be permitted, so it is imperative that you seek medical attention if you display any symptoms before travelling to Sri Lanka.

• The terrorism threat in Sri Lanka is high. While foreign visitors and expatriates are generally not targeted, attacks have taken place in venues where visitors may frequent. These include government and military targets as well as public gatherings. While the Tamil separatist movement has been quelled, there is a continual ongoing threat. Remain vigilant at all times on your visit to Sri Lanka.

• Most visits to Sri Lanka will be free from issues. There are, however, certain incidents that are occurring with greater frequency and these include road accidents, credit card fraud and drowning. Be aware to follow the necessary safety precautions when operating a vehicle and only use credit cards at major hotels and other internationally recognized establishments. Be aware of local precautions for swimming.

• There are a handful of diseases that are prevalent in Sri Lanka, and these include Chikungunya and rat fever (Leptospirosis) as well as dengue fever, with cases of the latter increasing dramatically in the last year.

• It is strongly recommended that you acquire comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Sri Lanka. While medical facilities and service can be satisfactory at times, cost of services can be expensive. Any service at a lower price will be poor by developed country standards. Be sure to check any exclusions, and coverage on any of the activities that you will be undertaking.