British government reissues travel warnings to Sri Lanka
Mon, 2007-04-30 04:48London, 30 April, (Asiantribune.com): British Government has reviewed and reissued travel warning to British citizens traveling to Sri Lanka in general and the North and East of the country in particular, in the light of the latest incident in which LTTE used aircrafts ob 29 April to drops bombs in targets in Colombo.
The latest travel warning by the issued by the British Foreign and Commonwealth office pointed out that on 29 April 2007 the LTTE used light aircraft to drop bombs on targets in the Colombo area.
Although the warning said that little damage was caused by this incident, and a similar raid on 26 March on the military area of Bandaranike International Airport (north of Colombo), caused disruption in Colombo city and at the airport.
The warning went on to point out that some airlines are reviewing their flight schedules to Sri Lanka. British Foreign and Commonwealth office urged traveller to check the status of their flights to and from Bandaranike International Airport with their carrier.
The full text of travel warning issued by the British Foreign and Commonwealth office is given below:
“We advise against all travel to the north or east of Sri Lanka. If you are in the north or east, you should leave. For the purpose of this travel advice we consider the north to be all areas north of the A12 road (which runs from Puttalam in the west to Trincomalee in the east) including the Jaffna peninsula; and we consider the east to be 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.
“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. Further fighting could occur with little or no warning.
“There is a high threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka and a risk of British nationals becoming indiscriminately caught up in attacks. Terrorist attacks against government and civilian targets have taken place throughout the country, including in areas and on travel routes popular with tourists. Please see the Terrorism section of this travel advice for more details.
“On 29 April 2007 the LTTE used light aircraft to drop bombs on targets in the Colombo area. Although little damage was caused this incident, and a similar raid on 26 March on the military area of Bandaranike International Airport (north of Colombo), caused disruption in Colombo city and at the airport. Some airlines are reviewing their flight schedules to Sri Lanka. Travellers are advised to check the status of their flights to and from Bandaranike International Airport with their carrier.
“There is heightened security, particularly in Colombo and southern Sri Lanka. There have been detentions, particularly of people of Tamil ethnicity. You should ensure that you carry some form of identification with you at all times. If you are a British national and are detained, you should ask the authorities to contact the British High Commission. You are strongly advised to comply with government and security force instructions.
“We strongly recommend that all British nationals who are resident and/or working in Sri Lanka, or visiting for over one month, should register with the British High Commission in Colombo.
“About 90,000 British nationals visit Sri Lanka each year. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Sri Lanka is replacing lost or stolen passports and ill health.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. “
- Asian Tribune -
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