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Home » News & Media » UK updates travel advisory for Sri Lanka
UK updates travel advisory for Sri Lanka
Due to Sri Lanka’s current economic advancement, the United Kingdom has revised its Travel Advisory for Sri Lanka effective April 5, 2024. This update encompasses various aspects including access to emergency medical services, entry security requirements, road safety, overall security situation, and health facility accessibility.
The revised advisory no longer includes previous concerns regarding shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. Additionally, the previously mentioned risks related to limitations in health services, such as the lack of medical equipment, have been omitted.
The Sri Lankan High Commission in London has consistently advocated to British authorities for the removal of negative information from previous advisories. This effort aims to ensure tourists have a clear understanding of Sri Lanka’s current progress.
Between January 1 and March 27, a total of 53,928 tourists from the United Kingdom visited Sri Lanka, establishing the United Kingdom as the third largest source of tourist arrivals. This updated advisory is expected to further boost Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
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Is it safe to travel to Sri Lanka? Everything you need to know
Sri lanka is open for tourism and it’s generally safe to visit. but events in recent history are worth bearing in mind. here’s what you need to know.
I n 2022, Sri Lanka experienced frequent protests throughout the country due to the severe impact of its economic crisis. Some of the protests turned violent, resulting in the loss of lives. The situation has calmed down significantly since, and the UK government has removed its warning to avoid all but essential travel to the country. However, “Sri Lanka’s economic situation remains fragile” according to the Foreign Office. Here’s what you need to know.
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Is it safe to travel to Sri Lanka right now?
It’s generally safe to travel to Sri Lanka , but events in its recent history are worth bearing in mind.
For much of 2022, there were frequent, often violent, protests in Sri Lanka as a result of the country’s severe economic crisis. Residents faced shortages of basic essentials such as fuel, medicine and food. The shortage of fuel in particular led to daily power cuts and services such as trains and buses being suspended. Emergency services were also affected.
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The unrest led to the entire cabinet resigning, and the then-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country after thousands of protesters stormed his palace. In July 2022, the country’s then-prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, now president, declared Sri Lanka bankrupt.
Things have calmed down since the start of 2023, and the country is on its way to recovery. Fuel is still being rationed, according to the Foreign Office, and limited supplies could lead to restrictions in services, including emergency services. There may also be power cuts, although many tourist facilities are equipped with backup generators.
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What is the Foreign Office travel advice?
Sri Lanka is open for tourism, and the Foreign Office has removed its travel advisories against travelling to the country. However, the economic situation in the country means that there’s an increase in opportunistic crime in the country. Examples include thefts from hotels and guesthouses, as well as bag-snatching in the streets. You should therefore take care of your valuables and stay vigilant. Violent crime is generally low.
Protests are still possible and could turn violent. You should avoid these and follow local government advice.
You should speak to your doctor before you travel if you have a medical condition, and carry plenty of necessary medication with you. Continued fuel shortages mean that your travel arrangements may not go as smoothly as you anticipate.
What are Sri Lanka’s entry requirements?
UK passport holders will need a tourist visa to enter Sri Lanka for a holiday. The fee for these starts from US$50, and you can apply for one online before you travel. It’s also possible to obtain a visa on arrival, but this costs US$60 and you may experience additional delay depending on how many people apply on arrival.
You have two options when it comes to the tourist visa. The 30-day version gives you double entry into the country so you can combine your holiday in Sri Lanka with a visit to another country. There’s also a 180-day visa, which only allows single entry into Sri Lanka. If you’re just transiting through Sri Lanka, with less than 24 hours airside, you do not need a visa.
Three days before you travel to Sri Lanka, you should fill in your embarkation form online.
In terms of your passport validity, you’ll need at least six months left on your passport on the day you arrive in Sri Lanka.
Is Sri Lanka safe for female travellers?
Female travellers may find it uncomfortable to travel on their own in Sri Lanka. While the country is largely safe, especially if you’re travelling as part of a group, women have reported incidents of verbal and physical harassment by men. These have ranged from sexually suggestive comments to sexual assaults, according to the Foreign Office.
Most incidents happen in crowded places such as market places, railway stations, buses and sporting events. However, they can happen anywhere, including in tourist areas. The Foreign Office advises taking care when travelling alone or in small groups, and to consider carrying a safety alarm. You may also find it more comfortable to dress more modestly.
Is Sri Lanka safe for LGBTQ travellers?
Same-sex relations are illegal in Sri Lanka, so you should avoid any public displays of affection. An LGBTQ community does exist in the country, and it is also illegal to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation.
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Is it safe to travel to Sri Lanka? Latest UK travel advice amid crisis and Covid entry requirements explained
The british government has issued advice against travel to sri lanka, following continued unrest.
Sri Lanka is in the grip of political unrest that has injured 200 and killed at least seven, including an MP whose house was attacked by protestors.
The prime minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has resigned. He is now in hiding at an undisclosed location after special ops soldiers conducted a dramatic overnight raid to rescue him from protestors who stormed his official residence in Colombo in the early hours of 9 May.
Clashes between pro and anti-government protestors in the streets of the capital and around the country have occurred against the backdrop of an unprecedented economic crisis .
As a consequence, the Foreign Office now advises against all non-essential travel to the island.
This invalidates many travel insurance policies if the holder decides to travel against Government advice.
What is happening in Sri Lanka?
Protests have been ongoing since 31 March and a state of emergency was declared on 6 May. An island-wide curfew is now in place.
The country is in the grip of the worst economic crisis in almost 75 years which has led to a shortage of basic supplies including fuel and medicine.
The protests and economic crisis are another setback for Sri Lanka after a bloody civil war that ended in 2009 and the Easter terrorist bombings in 2019.
Where are the protests happening?
The worst violence has occurred in the capital Colombo, much of it focused around the Galle Face area.
Other protests and episodes of violence have flared up around the country.
What has the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised regarding travel to Sri Lanka?
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated its advice for Sri Lanka on 13 May with reference to the ongoing violence and advises against all non-essential travel to the island.
This follows several incidents on 9 May involving violence against peaceful protesters, including in the Galle Face area in Colombo, where authorities used tear gas and water cannons. Incidents also took place near Beira Lake in Colombo, Kandy, and elsewhere.
Are tour operators cancelling holidays to Sri Lanka?
With FCDO advice now cautioning against travel to Sri Lanka, holidays from the UK are likely to be cancelled. Contact your tour operator to discuss your options. Packages cancelled by an operator should be refunded within 14 days.
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Can I travel to Sri Lanka from the United Kingdom?
Most visitors from the United Kingdom, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sri Lanka.
Can I travel to Sri Lanka if I am vaccinated?
Fully vaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter Sri Lanka without restrictions.
Can I travel to Sri Lanka without being vaccinated?
Unvaccinated visitors from the United Kingdom can enter Sri Lanka without restrictions.
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Visitors from the United Kingdom are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Sri Lanka.
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Travellers from the United Kingdom are not required to quarantine.
Do I need to wear a mask in Sri Lanka?
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Restaurants in Sri Lanka are open with restrictions. Bars in Sri Lanka are .
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UK revises its travel advisory for Sri Lanka
You are here.
On 10 June 2022, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) released its updated travel advisory which has now removed the earlier restriction on ‘all but essential travel’ to Sri Lanka.
This follows the uplifting of state of emergency in the country by the Sri Lankan government. Some military presence, however, remains on the street, and it is believed that curfews can be imposed even now at a short notice. There are still ongoing protests in the Galle Road, Galle Face and Fort areas of Colombo.
As per the advisory, the FCDO advises travellers to be vigilant, avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings, and follow the advice of the local authorities. It further says “economic situation in Sri Lanka is challenging with shortages of basic necessities including medicines, cooking gas, fuel and food because of a shortage of hard currency to pay for imports. There may be long queues at shops and supermarkets, fuel stations, and pharmacies. There may be difficulties or delays obtaining taxis and other public transport. There are ongoing daily power cuts due to electricity rationing.”
Covid-19 is still prevailing, and travellers will need to consider it before travelling to Sri Lanka. Commercial airlines are operating to and from the country but there is a high risk of changes to flights and airport operations at short notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
On arrival, visa facilities are available for full British passport holder, but FCDO advises to apply for Electronic Travel Authorisation to prevent delays on arrival.
Fully vaccinated travellers are not required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test before arrival. COVID-19 travel insurance is mandatory for all visitors. UK’s printed version of proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record and proof of COVID-19 vaccination issued in the Crown Dependencies will only be recognised as proof of vaccination. Digital proof is not accepted by the Sri Lankan government.
Unvaccinated travellers aged 12 and above entering Sri Lanka, will need to show proof of either a negative PCR test (taken no more than 72 hours before embarkation), or a negative Rapid Antigen Test report (taken within 48 hours before embarkation). Self-swab tests are not recognised by the government.
Unvaccinated children aged 11 years and under of fully vaccinated parents who are tourists or foreign nationals are allowed to travel with fully vaccinated parents. Children between the age of 12-18 who have obtained at least a single dose of a recognised vaccine (at least 2 weeks before travel) will be considered ‘fully vaccinated’.
If you have any questions, please contact Sandeepa Sahay
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/sri-lanka-safe-travel-update-latest-b2098400.html
http://www.adaderana.lk/news/82997/uk-relaxes-travel-advisory-on-sri-lanka-
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sri-lanka/entry-requirements
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Read the information on the COVID-19: Health Considerations for Travel page for advice on travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccinations and malaria risk
Review both the Vaccination and Malaria sections on this page to find out if you may need vaccines and/or a malaria risk assessment before you travel to this country.
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- Courses or boosters usually advised: Tetanus.
- Other vaccines to consider: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Rabies; Typhoid.
- Selectively advised vaccines - only for those individuals at highest risk: Japanese Encephalitis.
Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for travellers aged 9 months or over arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Notes on the diseases mentioned above
Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation is poor.
Risk is higher for long stays, frequent travel and for children (exposed through cuts and scratches), those who may require medical treatment during travel.
- Japanese Encephalitis : spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. This mosquito breeds in rice paddies and mainly bites between dusk and dawn. Risk is highest for long stay travellers to rural areas, particularly if unable to avoid mosquito bites.
- Tetanus : spread through contamination of cuts, burns and wounds with tetanus spores. Spores are found in soil worldwide. A total of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine are recommended for life in the UK. Boosters are usually recommended in a country or situation where the correct treatment of an injury may not be readily available.
- Typhoid : spread mainly through consumption of contaminated food and drink. Risk is higher where access to adequate sanitation and safe water is limited.
- Malaria not normally present unless the illness was contracted abroad.
Other Health Risks
Altitude and travel, dengue fever.
There is a risk of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) in this country.
Please be aware that the risk of COVID-19 in this country may change at short notice and also consider your risk of exposure in any transit countries and from travelling itself.
- The 'News' section on this page will advise if significant case increases or outbreaks have occurred in this country.
Prior to travel, you should:
- Check the latest government guidance on the FCDO Foreign travel advice and country specific pages for travel to this country and the rules for entering the UK on return.
- Ensure you are up to date with UK recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination.
- You can check this in the FAQ's.
- If you are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 you should carefully consider your travel plans and consider seeking medical advice prior to making any decisions.
For further information, see Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and COVID-19: Health Considerations for Travel pages.
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