British govt. relaxes travel restrictions to Sri Lanka

(January 04, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The British government has relaxed travel restrictions to Sri Lanka with the British High Commissioner Dr Peter Hayes saying on Monday that no longer are travellers discouraged from visiting any part of the Eastern Province or northern Jaffna District.

“We’ve recently visited both Jaffna and the East and took this decision based on our assessment of the improving security situation,” Dr Hayes said in a statement.

However he said in light of the uncertain security situation in areas recently affected by conflict UK authorities continue to discourage British tourists from travelling to the northern districts of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya.

British tourists wishing to travel to Jaffna should note that the UK advises travelling to Jaffna only by approved routes. Currently these include road travel on the A9 or air travel. Foreign nationals, including UK nationals, need to seek prior approval from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence before travelling to Jaffna, the statement said.