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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 064109 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC ASEC CE
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - SRI LANKA 
 
¶1. This Travel Warning provides updated security 
information and alerts American citizens traveling to or 
living in Sri Lanka about the continuing danger of 
terrorist attacks throughout the country.  This supersedes 
the Travel Warning for Sri Lanka dated February 8, 2008. 
¶2.  The Department of State urges American citizens to 
evaluate carefully the risks of travel to Sri Lanka and 
specifically warns Americans against travel to northern 
and eastern areas of Sri Lanka.  Since early January 2008, 
fighting between the Sri Lankan military, paramilitary 
groups and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has 
increased, and bomb explosions in densely populated areas 
have killed dozens of civilians, including in some areas 
frequented by foreign tourists.  Although there is no 
specific indication that American citizens or institutions 
have been targeted, there is a heightened risk of American 
citizens becoming victims of violence just by being in the 
wrong place at the wrong time.   American citizens who 
decide to travel to Sri Lanka despite this Travel Warning 
should be aware of their personal surroundings and follow 
prudent security practices.  Americans should avoid large 
crowds and public gatherings and should particularly avoid 
political rallies, military bases, and government and 
military vehicle convoys, which are frequent targets of 
LTTE attacks.  Americans are also strongly advised against 
using public transportation in Sri Lanka, as civilian 
buses and trains have increasingly been the targets of 
terrorist bomb attacks in recent months. U.S. Government 
personnel are currently prohibited from using these modes 
of transportation. 
¶3.  On June 6, 2008, 22 civilians were killed and 70 
injured by an anti-personnel mine aimed at a passenger bus 
in Colombo.  The same day, two more people were killed by 
another anti-personnel mine detonated in a passenger bus 
in Kandy.  On May 31, 2008, a grenade attack on a bus stop 
in Wellawatta killed two people and wounded 10.  On 
February 3, 2008, 14 civilians were killed and 
approximately 100 were injured when a suicide attacker 
detonated an explosive device inside the main railway 
station in Colombo.  The same day, seven were injured when 
a grenade was detonated at the Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo. 
On February 2, 2008, a bomb on a bus from Kandy, headed 
for Anuradhapura, exploded in Dambulla and killed 18 
civilians and injured over 50.  On January 8, 2008, a 
government minister was killed and several persons were 
injured when his vehicle was attacked on the road between 
Colombo's international airport and central Colombo.  In 
2007, the LTTE also attacked an Army camp in Yala National 
Sanctuary, and the Katunayake Air Force Base in Colombo 
was attacked by LTTE aircraft, causing brief suspension of 
operations at the adjacent Bandaranaike International 
Airport.  Foreign tourists were not specifically targeted 
in these attacks and none were injured. 
¶4.  While the government has effectively controlled the 
eastern part of the country since July 2007, security is 
not yet assured.  Some LTTE members and larger numbers of 
armed paramilitary members are active in the area, leading 
to instability and incidents of violence.  This situation 
is likely to continue for some time.  Americans are 
particularly warned against travel to LTTE-controlled 
areas in the north, which may pose severe hazards. 
¶5.  Official travel by U.S. Government personnel to areas 
north of a line following the highway from Puttalam 
through Anuradhapura to Polonaruwa, Bibile, and Pottuvil 
in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka is 
restricted, and unofficial travel is prohibited. 
¶6.  Americans should comply with all instructions from 
security forces and police when traveling in Sri Lanka. 
American citizens, including those of Sri Lankan origin, 
whether living in Sri Lanka or traveling there even for 
only a few days, are strongly urged to register with the 
 
STATE 00064109  002 OF 002 
 
 
Embassy.  Registration will allow the embassy to provide 
direct information on the security situation as 
necessary.  Registration is done on-line and can be done 
in advance of travel at 
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/. Information on 
registering can also be found at the Embassy website: 
http://srilanka.usembassy.gov or at the Department of 
State's Consular Affairs website: 
 
 http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registrat ion 
/registration_1186.html 
 
¶7.  As the Department continues to develop information on 
any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, 
it shares credible threat information through its consular 
information documents, including the Worldwide Caution, 
available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.  In 
addition to information on the Internet, travelers may 
obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by 
calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada 
or, outside the U.S. and Canada, on a regular toll line at 
1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. 
to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except 
U.S. federal holidays). 
¶8.  Minimize considered. 
RICE