FCDO issues travel alert as Sri Lanka declares public emergency
Will PayneThe Sri Lankan government has declared a public emergency following a number of recent protests over the country’s "deteriorating" economic situation.
According to the UK Foreign Office, Sri Lanka has recently seen shortages of basic necessities such as medicines, fuel and food due to a lack of hard currency to pay for imports.
The FCDO said there may be long queues at grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies and local authorities may impose the rationing of electricity, resulting in power outages.
The squeeze on goods also led to a number of protests over the weekend, with one in Columbo on 31 March resulting in a curfew being temporarily imposed.
"There are reports that there will be further protests across the island in the next few days," the FCDO said.
"On 1 April the government of Sri Lanka declared a public emergency, and an island-wide curfew is now in place from 6pm on 2 April 2022 until 6am on 4 April 2022.
"Local restrictions, including further curfews could be imposed at short notice. You should be vigilant, avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings, and follow the advice of the local authorities."
Sign up for weekday travel news and analysis straight to your inbox
Supplier Directory
Find contacts for 260+ travel suppliers. Type name, company or destination.
Editor's pick
Clients with kids? Consider Disney’s Encanto countryPARTNER CONTENT
Recommended For You
Latest travel jobs
Self-employed Holiday Sales Consultants
Junior Africa Sales Consultant
Travel Consultant - Barrhead, Newtownabbey
Competitions
Upcoming events
Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
