Reconsider Travel To Sri Lanka: US Cautions Its Citizens Amid Economic Crisis & Unrest

The United States has pointed to fuel and medicine shortages in the island nation besides Covid-19 and terror threats.

Sri Lankans protest at Independence Square in Colombo on April 4 calling on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down as the country faces the worst economic crisis | Photo: Getty

New Delhi: The United States has advised its citizens against travelling to Sri Lanka, which is currently witnessing unrest due to its worst-ever economic downturn.

The United States has pointed to fuel and medicine shortages in the island nation besides Covid-19 and terror threats.

“Reconsider travel to Sri Lanka due to Covid-19 and fuel and medicine shortages. Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to terrorism,” the State Department said earlier on Wednesday in its latest travel advisory which has now been placed on Level 3, PTI reported.

The advisory comes as the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Sri Lanka due to Covid-19.

Indicating a high level of Covid-19 in the island nation, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said: “Your risk of contracting Covid-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorised vaccine.”

 Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC's specific recommendations for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers,” added the national public health agency of the United States.

Highlighting Sri Lanka is due to the ongoing economic situation experiencing shortages of fuel and cooking gas as well as some medicines and essential food items, the State Department said: “There have recently been protests over the economic situation and queues at gas stations, grocery stores and some pharmacies. Protests have occurred throughout the country and have mostly been peaceful. In some instances, police have used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters.”

The State Department further said “there have also been daily planned power outages across the island, as well as some unplanned power outages, as fuel for backup generators is increasingly scarce”.

“Public transportation in some instances has been limited or curtailed. Travellers should monitor local media for updates on the ongoing situation,” the State Department added.

The terrorists may, as per the travel advisory, 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.