Definition of US Department of State dated 26/June ‘09

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION - Sri Lanka is a presidential parliamentary democracy with a developing economy. Civil war and terrorism have seriously disrupted the country since 1983. On May 19, 2009, the Sri Lankan government announced that it had achieved victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), an armed insurgency group, after more than 25 years of civil conflict.

Despite the history of conflict, Sri Lanka's beaches, hill country, and archeological sites continue to attract thousands of visitors each year from around the world. The Asian Tsunami on December 26, 2004, caused severe damage and loss of life to several coastal areas of eastern, southern, and southwestern Sri Lanka. Most of the affected resorts have completely recovered. The capital city of Colombo, the Cultural Triangle (Kandy, Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa), and many southern beach towns have good tourist facilities. Read the Department of State

Background Notes on Sri Lanka for additional information.
REGISTRATION - U.S. citizens living or traveling in Sri Lanka are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State’s travel registration page in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS - A passport and onward/return ticket and proof of sufficient funds are required. A no-cost landing visa, valid for 30 days, will be granted only to tourists at the time of entry into Sri Lanka. Business travelers are required to have a visa prior to arrival.

Individuals traveling to Sri Lanka for purposes other than tourism (e.g., religious work, volunteering or working) must obtain an entry visa from the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate before their arrival in Sri Lanka. Foreigners entering Sri Lanka on a landing/tourist visa cannot convert their visa to a non-tourist one, and risk deportation if they engage in activities other than tourism without the appropriate visa.

Visitors staying more than 30 days for any purpose must obtain a visa extension from the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo and pay the relevant visa fees. Travelers must have yellow fever and cholera immunizations if they are arriving from an infected area. Sri Lankan law requires all foreign guests in private households to register in person at the nearest local police station. Individuals who stay in private households without registering may be temporarily detained for questioning. This requirement does not apply to individuals staying in hotels or guesthouses.Specific inquiries should be addressed to the Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 483-4025, fax (202) 232-7181, contact by e-mail;; the Sri Lankan Consulate General in Los Angeles at 3250 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1405, Los Angeles, CA 90010, telephone (213) 387-0210; or the UN Mission in New York City, telephone (212) 986-7040. There are several honorary Sri Lankan consuls general and consuls in the United States. Visit the Embassy of Sri Lanka website for the most current visa information.

There are no specific HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to and foreign residents of Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lankan law does allow immigration officials to refer visitors and foreign residents to a physician for examination if a public health risk is suspected. In practice this is a rare occurrence, but travelers should be aware that Sri Lankan law allows for the denial of entry to any foreigner who, upon referral from an immigration officer, is certified by a physician as posing a public health risk. Travelers who refuse a medical examination under these circumstances may be refused entry. Please verify this information with the Embassy of Sri Lanka before traveling.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY - The Department of State urges American citizens to carefully evaluate the risks of travel to Sri Lanka. Despite the Sri Lankan government’s announcement of a military defeat of the LTTE, remnants of the insurgency group remain, and thus there is a lingering potential for continued instability.

Americans are specifically warned against travel to all of the Northern Province and most of the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. Official travel by U.S. Government personnel in the North and East is restricted. Travel to the following areas is potentially unsafe: in Anuradhapura District of the North Central Province, the areas north of Medawachchiya, the A14 road, and the road from Medawachchiya and Horowupatna. Non-official travel by U.S. Government personnel to the Eastern Province, other than the A6 road corridor and Trincomalee Town in Trincomalee District, and areas in Ampara District south of the A4 road and west of Maha Oya, is prohibited. While the government has effectively controlled the eastern part of the country since July 2007, security in much of the province is not yet assured. Some LTTE members and larger numbers of armed paramilitary members may remain active in the area, leading to instability and incidents of violence. Americans are particularly warned against travel to formerly LTTE-controlled areas in the north. Roads are substandard and areas recently affected by the conflict may contain both marked and unmarked mine fields, making travel very dangerous. Police, medical and other emergency help is severely limited or unavailable. Communications within the northern and eastern areas are also limited, with limited cell phone accessibility and very limited landline telephone access. The U.S. Embassy may not be able to provide consular services in a timely manner to American citizens who travel to the North or East.

As of June 22, 2009, no new terrorist incidents have occurred since the government’s declaration of military victory over the LTTE; however, the possibility remains that remnants of the organization may continue to attempt to carry out attacks. The State Department has included the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on its list of foreign terrorist organizations since 1997. Throughout its history, the LTTE and other groups have targeted Sri Lankan security forces, government officials, and civilians with terrorist actions such as assassinations and suicide bombings at political rallies, government buildings, major economic targets, and military installations. Although there is no indication that American citizens were targeted in these attacks, and none were injured, American citizens risk becoming victims of violence by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

On June 6, 2008, an anti-personnel mine aimed at a passenger bus in Colombo killed 22 civilians and injured 70 others. The same day, another anti-personnel mine detonated in a passenger bus in Kandy, killing two civilians. In light of previous attacks specifically targeting civilian buses, American citizens are strongly cautioned against traveling by bus in Sri Lanka. American personnel at the U.S. Mission are currently prohibited from traveling by bus.

The Department of State strongly advises American tourists to avoid military bases and vehicles and VIP security convoys. Americans are also strongly advised to avoid political rallies and other mass gatherings. On January 2, 2009, a suicide bomb attack near the Air Force Headquarters in Colombo killed two and injured 32. On October 6, 2008, 28 civilians were killed and 80 injured in a suspected suicide attack at the opening of a political party office in Anurdhapura. On October 9, 2008, a suicide bomb attack on the convoy of a government minister killed one and injured six in the outskirts of Colombo.

Non-Sri Lankan citizens of Tamil heritage have occasionally been detained during security operations. U.S. citizens of any ethnic heritage are encouraged to keep their passports with them at all times. In the event of a terrorist attack, Americans should monitor local radio and television, seek cover away from windows, and return to their homes or hotels when it is safe to do so. If traveling, individuals should find a safe location inside a building as soon as possible. The Government of Sri Lanka has periodically imposed curfews in Colombo; Americans should strictly observe curfew regulations and monitor local radio and television. Travelers in Colombo are often the subject of searches by the police. U.S. citizens should expect travel delays due to the security situation in Sri Lanka. American citizens should comply with instructions from security forces. Americans are strongly advised against taking photographs of Sri Lankan military bases, foreign missions in Sri Lanka, and government buildings, which could be a violation of the law under current security restrictions in the country.

Tourists should be aware that the LTTE has previously operated in several national parks in the North and East of Sri Lanka, including parks that remain open to the public. In October 2007, the LTTE attacked a Sri Lankan army camp in Yala National Wildlife Sanctuary, located in southeastern Sri Lanka, killing six soldiers and wounding three others. The incident took place in a tourist area of the wildlife park, but foreigners were not targeted and none were injured. However, the incident highlights the prevailing risk of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs' website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.

CRIME - While Sri Lanka has a high crime rate, relatively few incidents have been directed against American citizens. Most violent crime occurs within the local community, although violent crime directed at foreigners is not unheard of. Routine petty crime, especially thefts of personal property and pick-pocketing, is not uncommon if the traveler does not take appropriate safeguards. Street hustlers or “touts” are common around hotels, shopping centers and tourist sites. Incidents of credit card fraud are increasing; travelers should consider paying in cash whenever possible, and should carefully review billing statements to ensure that purchases displayed on the statements are accurate.

In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. The Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Division in the U.S. Department of Justice has more information on this serious problem.

VICTIMS OF CRIME - If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see end of this sheet or see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Sri Lanka is 119 if dialed from a landline and 112 from a cell phone. This number only contacts the police and does not provide access to emergency medical services. Although the number is answered 24 hours a day, police responsiveness may vary.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES - While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Persons violating Sri Lankan laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Sri Lanka are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Under the Cultural Prosperity Act and the Antiques Ordinance, the unlicensed export of antiques from the country is considered a criminal act.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES - Sri Lanka recognizes dual nationality in some cases. For further information, please contact the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington DC, the Consulate General in Los Angeles or the Sri Lankan Mission to the United Nations in New York City. Please see our Customs Information.

U.S. citizens are advised to carry identification such as a photocopy of their passport photo page with them at all times while in Sri Lanka. Photography is prohibited in designated high-security zones and near many government facilities such as offices and military installations.

Medical Facilities and Health Information: There are six large hospitals in the Colombo area, including three with emergency trauma service: Asiri Surgical Hospital, Apollo Hospital, and the government-run General Hospital. Medical facilities outside Colombo are limited. The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of private physicians which may be obtained upon request. The availability of medical supplies is uneven; as such, travelers should carry any special medications with them. Serious medical conditions may require evacuation to the United States or to a nearby country with more advanced medical facilities, such as Thailand or Singapore. Neither Thailand nor Singapore requires U.S. citizens to have an entry visa.

Several mosquito-borne diseases, including chikungunya, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis and malaria, are present in Sri Lanka. Adequate mosquito protection is strongly advised. See the section on Entry/Exit Requirements (above) for information on communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

MEDICAL INSURANCE - The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine whether the policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Sri Lanka is provided for general reference only, and may not apply in all locations or circumstances.

Vehicular traffic moves on the left (British style). Traffic in Colombo is very congested. Narrow two-lane highways, overloaded trucks, dangerously-driven buses and a variety of conveyances on the road, ranging from ox carts and bicycles to new four-wheel-drive vehicles, make driving challenging and dangerous. Unexpected road blocks and one-way streets are common and may not be clearly marked. Many visitors hire cars and drivers for long trips through the country. Individuals choosing to hire three-wheeled vehicles (“trishaws”) should negotiate prices beforehand to avoid confrontations. Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the web site of Sri Lanka's national tourist office and national authority responsible for road safety.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT - As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Sri Lanka, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

CHILDREN’S ISSUES - Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

EMBASSY LOCATION - Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
U.S. Embassy Colombo210 Galle RoadColombo 03Sri LankaTelephone: +94 11 249 8500Emergency after-hours telephone: +94 11 249 8888Facsimile: +94 11 249 8590Email for American Citizens Services issuesEmail for general Consular inquiries
Please note that the U.S. Embassy’s normal business hours in Colombo are Monday to Thursday from 8 AM to 5:30 PM and Fridays from 8 AM to noon. The Embassy in Colombo also covers the Republic of Maldives.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Sri Lanka dated December 30, 2008, to update the sections on Country Description, Entry/Exit Requirements, Threats to Safety and Security, Crime, Criminal Penalties, Special Circumstances, and Medical Facilities and Health Information.