British High Commission Removes Advice Against Travel to Sri Lanka's North

The British High Commission in Colombo updated the UK government’s travel advice on 29 July, removing the advice against travel to the four districts in the northern province- Mullaithivu, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Vavuniya.

The change in the advice follows a security assessment carried out by a High Commission delegation, led by Deputy High Commissioner Mark Gooding, which visited the Northern provinces in June.

Commenting on the changes British High Commissioner, Dr Peter Hayes said:

“This latest change means we no longer advise against travel to any part of Sri Lanka. Britons wishing to travel to the north should be aware that there remains a risk from mines and unexploded ordinance and those they need to obtain permission from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence before they travel. ”

Earlier, British High Commission has progressively altered its travel advice for Sri Lanka since the war ended in May 2009. In July 2009 we removed our advice against travel to Trincomalee, Arugam Bay and Yala National Park and in January 2010 we removed our advice against travel to all other parts of the Eastern Province and the Jaffna Peninsula.

- Asian Tribune -