World

United States issues Travel Warning to Sri Lanka

by Tamiya | June 28, 2009 at 04:45 pm

240 views | 14 Recommendations | 9 comments

U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Warning against going to Sri Lanka on June 26, 2009 and the warning is still active.

The warning targetted specific groups such as the American citizens of Sri Lanakn origin, journalists, researchers, aid workers and volunteers.

American citizens of Sri Lankan origin may be subject to additional scrutiny upon arrival and while in the country. In some cases, foreigners of Sri Lankan origin may be detained without their embassy being notified. The activities of journalists, researchers, aid workers, and volunteers receive particular attention. The Government of Sri Lanka encourages Sri Lankan citizens to report foreigners who are suspected of carrying out activities not consistent with the national interest and/or their visa category.

The warning also specified the increased sensitivity of the Sri Lankan government towards travelling to the IDP Camps.

Travel in some parts of the country remains highly restricted by the Sri Lankan government, with particular sensitivity concerning the large number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in camps.

The warning also specified "large crowds and public gatherings and should particularly avoid political rallies, military bases, government and military vehicle convoys, and high security zones" could be plausible targets of "LTTE attacks.".

In response to the US travel warning, Sri Lankan government has said that the US has undermined Sri Lanka, as told by Sri Lankan officials to The Island Newspaper.

The Sri Lankan government yesterday said that a US State Department travel advisory aimed at discouraging US citizens from visiting Sri Lanka was part of US strategy to undermine the country.

A senior Foreign Ministry official told The Island that nothing could be as bad as the US warning of potential for continued instability and possible terrorist attacks a month after the end of war. He said that the government had requested the international community to remove travel advisories as the LTTE no longer posed a threat. Responding to our queries, he said though the armed forces maintained road blocks and carried out routine checks on vehicles entering the city and its suburbs, there was no likelihood of LTTE attacks.

He said that the US had also interfered with Sri Lanka’s bid to secure a USD 1.9 billion IMF facility.

The US State Department last Friday warned American citizens travelling to or living in Sri Lanka about the potential for continued instability, including possible terrorist attacks.

Another official pointed out that the US issued its latest warning close on the heels of Sri Lanka Tourism launching its new brand identity ‘Sri Lanka Small Miracle’ to promote tourism. Recently, Ambassador Ravinath Ariyasinghe urged the western countries to remove travel advisories as peace and stability had been restored in all parts of the country.

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Babel-Fish

at 02:47 on June 29th, 2009

Why should any tourist fund a country that is run by despots that are blocking world help and the media. Also do not want UN to investigate war crimes. I also have to consider that before I travel next year. There is defiantly something wrong with Sri Lanka perhaps it time that tourist boycott the place until the government changes its way.

Uncle Sam (not verified)

at 08:55 on June 30th, 2009

......yup, especially since Sri Lanka does not allow any aid worker coming in tourist visa for sight seeing and other candy-eating activities..

Babel-Fish

at 17:52 on June 28th, 2009

I am putting my visit off till next year

Rhonda J Mangus

at 00:10 on June 29th, 2009

Thanks for this, Tamiya.

wave man (not verified)

at 02:40 on June 29th, 2009

The LTTE is gone. they're a dead organization now. Sri lanka is peaceful again. Go visit that beautiful little island at least once before you die. There are so many places to see. You will never find such variations anywhere else in this world. just 65000 sq kms but a world to see....

THE SMALL MIRACLE.........FOR SURE

Tamiya

at 19:29 on June 28th, 2009

A wise thing to do, there are many choices out there. Why visit a county where human rights are considered "luxury" and only accessible to few ?!!

Deepal (not verified)

at 10:12 on July 3rd, 2009

The British government has relaxed travel restrictions on its citizens visiting Sri Lanka nearly five weeks after Tamil separatist rebels were defeated to end a more then 30-year war in the South Asian country, the British high commission in Colombo said Friday.

Britain, which had imposed restrictions for its citizens to some of the popular tourist destinations on the southern and eastern coasts of the country, said in a statement that it would no longer discourage British people from visiting those areas.

'I am pleased to announce that we have relaxed the restrictions on travel suggested in the advice we give to British visitors coming to Sri Lanka,' British High Commissioner Peter Hayes said.

Britain would no longer discourage British holidaymakers from going leopard spotting at Yala National Park in southern Sri Lanka, surfing at Arugam Bay in eastern Sri Lanka or visiting Trincomalee harbour in northeastern Sri Lanka, one of the world's deepest natural ports, Hayes said.

Tamiya

at 19:06 on July 3rd, 2009

The conflict between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE, or “Tamil Tigers”) ended in May 2009. All territory in Sri Lanka is now under Government control. However, politically-motivated violence, abductions and criminality persist throughout the country, particularly in the north and east. The Government maintains its State of Emergency, under which it has extensive anti-terrorism powers. Heightened security measures including checkpoints are expected to remain throughout the country. Always carry formal photographic identification with you. Detentions do occur, particularly of people of Tamil ethnicity. If you are detained, you should ask the authorities to contact the British High Commission.

The end of the military conflict has seen an upsurge of nationalism in Sri Lanka. As a result, anti-Western (particularly anti-British) rhetoric has increased, including from senior Government figures. This has led to violent protests against the British High Commission and other diplomatic premises. Although no protests have so far been directed at the British community more generally, you should be vigilant and avoid demonstrations.