Sri Lanka
Warnings and insurance
US Travel Alert for the Arugam Bay area
At 0900hrs on 23 October, the US Embassy in Colombo issued a security alert.
The US Embassy received credible information warning of an attack targeting popular tourist locations in the Arugam Bay area. Due to enterthe Sriserious Lankarisk posed by this threat, the Embassy imposed a travel restriction on Embassy personnel for Arugam Bay effective immediately and until further notice.
U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid the announcementArugam Bay area until further notice.
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and security - Sri Lanka travel advice - GOV.UK.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
Update history
2025-02-06 11:46
Updated information on terrorism in Sri Lanka (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-11-19 12:24
Updated information on the political and economic situation in Sri Lanka (‘Safety and Security’ page).
2024-11-14 14:33
Updated information on terrorism in Sri Lanka (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-10-25 14:00
Information on a heightened terrorist threat in Sri Lanka (‘Safety and security’ page)
2024-10-23 18:31
There is a heightened terrorist threat in Sri Lanka. Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals such as hotels, tourist sites and places of worship (‘Warnings & Insurance’ and ‘Safety & Security’)
2024-10-23 05:48
US Travel alert issued for the Arugam Bay area.
2024-09-30 17:02
Update to visa requirements to enter Sri Lanka and the announcement of parliamentary elections (‘Entry requirements’ page and ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-09-22 17:39
Curfew restrictions throughout Sri Lanka removed following conclusion of presidential elections
2024-09-22 03:38
Extension of curfew in Sri Lanka, following Presidential elections on 21 September (‘Warnings and insurance.’)
2024-09-21 19:38
Sri Lankan authorities have announced a country wide curfew from 2200 on 21 September until 0600 on the 22 September Sri Lankan Standard Time. Travel to and from airports is permitted with a flight ticket. Please follow advice from local authorities (Warning and Insurance Section).
2024-08-06 13:43
Update to visa application process (See ‘Visa requirements’ on the ‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-08-01 11:52
Updates made throughout the travel advice, including to the following sections: Crime; Terrorism; Laws and cultural differences; Transport risks; Vaccine recommendations and health risks.
2024-04-24 12:29
Updated information on applying for a visa (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2024-04-05 12:11
Additional information on emergency medical numbers, road travel and safety and security (‘Entry requirements’, ‘Safety and security’, and ‘Health’ pages).
2024-01-11 15:38
Clarification on the process to apply for a tourist visa on arrival to Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-10-31 12:14
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-07-25 16:48
Information on Sri Lanka’s economic situation (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-06-22 09:45
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-05-22 11:41
Removed information about winds and showers across Sri Lanka from 10 May (‘Summary’ page).
2023-05-09 18:14
Strong winds and showers expected across Sri Lanka from 10 May (‘Summary’ page)
2023-04-21 14:28
Updated information on the online arrival card system (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-04-18 12:47
Addition of information on the online arrival card system introduced (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2023-03-02 09:37
Removal of information on travel disruption due to a nationwide strike on 2 March 2023 (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-28 14:54
Addition of information on travel disruption due to a nationwide strike on 2 March 2023 (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-06 11:04
Removal of information about restricted access to Galle Face Green and surrounding areas 3-4 February 2023 (‘Summary’ page).
2023-02-03 16:10
New information about restricted access to Galle Face Green and surrounding areas 3-4 February 2023 (‘Summary’ page).
2022-12-12 13:54
Addition of information on the removal COVID-19 entry requirements (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-27 13:35
Updated information. The UK no longer advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka (See ‘Summary’).
2022-08-26 05:33
Updated information. The UK no longer advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka (See ‘Summary’).
2022-07-22 12:47
Updated information about protests (‘Summary’ page)
2022-07-19 12:06
Removal of outdated information on fuel stocks and impacts on 1990 Ambulance Service (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-07-15 11:17
Updated information on the end of the national curfew (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-07-14 10:15
Updated information on the declaration of a new curfew in Sri Lanka (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-07-13 18:06
Addition of information on the declaration of a State of Emergency and imposition of an island wide curfew
2022-07-11 16:15
Addition of information on the impact of fuel shortages on the 1990 Ambulance service (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages). Removal of information on the police curfew and protests
2022-07-08 16:52
From 9pm on 8 July, a police curfew was declared in 7 areas in the city centre of Colombo and its outskirts: Colombo North, Colombo South, Colombo Central, Negombo, Mount Lavinia, Nugegoda, and Keleniya (‘Summary’ page).
2022-07-08 10:43
Addition of information and advice about planned protests on 8 and 9 July (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-07-05 13:27
The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, due to the impact of the current economic crisis
2022-07-01 16:18
Updated information on the severity of the fuel crisis and potential delays accessing emergency services (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Health’ pages)
2022-06-30 16:31
Update to information on the economic crisis, shortages of basic necessities and civil unrest (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-06-20 15:57
Updated information on an increase in violent protests around fuel stations and changes to COVID-19 restrictions (‘Safety and security’, ‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-06-10 12:13
The FCDO no longer advise against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka
2022-05-27 15:44
Adding information on reports of a large scale protest due to take place on Saturday 28 May, between the areas of Colpetty, Galle Face and Fort in Colombo (‘Summary’ page).
2022-05-26 11:18
Updated information on the end of the State of Emergency (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-05-18 09:40
Updated information on restrictions, including curfews (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-05-13 16:18
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) now advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, due to ongoing political and economic instability. This advice does not apply to airside transit through Sri Lanka’s international airport. (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ sections)
2022-05-10 15:16
Update to information on island-wide curfew and possible further strike action (‘Summary’ page)
2022-05-09 13:32
Update to information on an island-wide curfew, imposed with immediate effect (‘Summary’ page)
2022-05-09 09:38
New information on an incident in the Galle Face area involving protestors (‘Summary’ page).
2022-05-07 07:05
Addition to the Safety and Security section following the President’s declaration of a State of Emergency on 6 May.
2022-04-29 16:42
Update to information on the political situation (‘Safety and security’ page) and updated information on arrival protocols and insurance (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-04-21 11:54
Removal of information on the curfew in Rambukkana that has been lifted (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-04-19 18:25
On 19 April, there were reports of an incident in Rambukkana town involving police and protestors. A curfew is now in place in the Rambukkana area (‘Safety and security’ page)
2022-04-06 16:12
Update to information on protests (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-04-04 15:55
Updated information on island-wide curfew. Additional information on protests. (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages)
2022-04-02 14:38
Updated information on island-wide curfew (see ‘Summary’)
2022-04-02 11:17
On 1 April the Government of Sri Lanka declared a public emergency (‘Summary’ page)
2022-04-01 16:22
Addition of information on protests and imposition of temporary local curfews (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages)
2022-03-07 17:17
New information on the economic situation and shortages (‘Summary’ page)
2022-02-28 11:49
Update to information on entry rules for fully vaccinated travellers (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)
2022-02-21 14:29
Update to information on testing requirements for entry to Sir Lanka (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Coronavirus’ page)