Travel Warnings & Advice

For the latest travel advice and warnings, contact the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Travel Advice Unit
Consular Directorate
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Old Admiralty Building
London SW1A 2PA

Telephone: 0845 850 2829
Fax: 020 7008 0155

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. As a result, all travel to the north or east of Sri Lanka is currently not advisable. This includes all areas north of the A12 road (which runs from Puttalam in the west to Trincomalee in the east) including the Jaffna peninsula; 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.

At the end of April 2007, the LTTE used light aircraft to drop bombs on targets in the Colombo area, and a similar raid was carried out on the military area of Bandaranike International Airport in March the same year. Some airlines are reviewing their flight schedules to Sri Lanka, and travellers are advised to check the status of their flights to with their carrier.

There is a high threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka and a risk of British nationals becoming indiscriminately caught up in attacks. Attacks against civilian and government targets have taken place throughout the country, including in areas and travel routes popular with tourists.

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