Reissued with updates to civil unrest information.
Reconsider travel to Sri Lanka due to fuel and medicine shortages. Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to civil unrest. Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to terrorism.
Sri Lanka is experiencing shortages of fuel and cooking gas, as well as some medicines and essential food items, due to the ongoing economic situation in country. Protests over the economic situation and queues at gas stations, grocery stores, and some pharmacies have been occurring recently throughout the country. In some instances, police have used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters. There have also been daily planned power outages across the island, as well as some unplanned power outages. Fuel for backup generators is increasingly scarce. Public transportation in some instances has been limited or curtailed. Travelers should monitor local media for updates on the ongoing situation.
Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, hospitals, and other public areas.
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in remote areas.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined Sri Lanka has an unknown level of COVID-19. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Read the country information page.
If you decide to travel to Sri Lanka:
- Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities.
- Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
- Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Crime and Safety Report for Sri Lanka.
- U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- See the U.S. Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19.
- Visit the CDC’s webpage on Travel and COVID-19.
