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Travel Advisory For Sri Lanka by U.S.

The U.S. State Department in Washington has issued a travel advisory for Sri Lanka, citing "the heightened potential for terrorist actions, including attacks against civilians." According to the warning, "this situation is likely to continue for some time." Over the last several months, acts of terrorism including bombings and political assassinations have occurred in Sri Lanka. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE), and Sri Lankan military forces, have clashed on several occasions.

State says that "although there is no specific indication that American citizens or institutions are targets, there is a general risk of American citizens being victims of violence simply by being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Politically motivated assassinations have taken place throughout Sri Lanka, including several in the Colombo area. In many cases, these assassinations involve the use of fragmentation bombs." Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon.

The State Department warning explains further, "American citizens in Sri Lanka should be aware of their personal surroundings and follow good security practices. Americans should avoid large crowds or public gatherings and should particularly stay away from political rallies and military bases in Sri Lanka." The U.S. State Department commonly issues warnings to U.S. citizens traveling around the world, or with plans to travel.