- Cautions its citizens to exercise “increased caution” in island nation
- Updated advisory likely due to protests planned for Independence Day celebration
New Zealand updated this week its travel advisory for its citizens who are looking to visit Sri Lanka, directing them to exercise increased caution.
Updating its advisory on February 1, the country placed Sri Lanka in level two of four. It pointed out that the New Zealanders should exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka, due to the impacts of the economic crisis, potential for civil unrest and risk of terrorism.
“We advise New Zealanders in Sri Lanka to avoid protests, demonstrations, political rallies and events, large crowds and queues. Comply with any instructions issued by the local authorities, including any curfews.
Monitor local and international media, review personal security plans and be aware of your surroundings,” the New Zealand government said in its update.
Further, the New Zealand High Commission in Colombo clarified that no travel advisory has been issued advising Kiwis against traveling to Sri Lanka, and New Zealand has only advised its citizens to exercise increased caution.
“We have two types of travel advisory that advise New Zealanders against going to a particular country or region: “do not travel” and “avoid non-essential travel”. There are well over 50 countries that currently have these sorts of New Zealand travel advisories. Sri Lanka is not one of them. Sri Lanka is in a much bigger group of countries, which include the likes of Singapore, Australia, and Japan, where we advise New Zealanders to ‘exercise increased caution’,” the High Commission said in its clarification.
It added that as a partner and friend of Sri Lanka, the New Zealand High Commission in Colombo welcomes Kiwi tourists in Sri Lanka and encourages them to read the travel advice as part of their preparation before they get here.
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko