Sri Lanka travel advice
- he Government of Sri Lanka has announced that foreign nationals, with the exception of foreign media crews, no longer need to have permission from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence before travelling to the northern districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaittivu and Vavuniya. See Safety and Security - Local Travel - North.
- Local elections took place on Saturday 8 October in a number of cities across Sri Lanka, including Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Nuwara Eliya. We are aware of violence in northern Colombo on the evenings of Friday 7th and Saturday 8th October. We understand that a senior advisor to the President, Bharatha Premachandra, was one of 4 killed and that a number of others were injured. A curfew was imposed, but has now been lifted. There is a risk of further violence around Mr Premachandra’s funeral, which is due to take place at 15:00 on Wednesday 12 October in northern Colombo.
- Political rallies in Sri Lanka have on occasion turned violent in the past. British nationals should avoid any political gatherings or rallies and beware of spontaneous large gatherings.
- The Government of Sri Lanka has announced its intention to suspend visas on arrival. We are awaiting confirmation of the date of that this will come into force. See Entry Requirements - Visas.
