No change in British travel advisory

25 August 2012 04:50 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Despite protests by the Sri Lankan Government, the British Foreign Office has updated its travel advisory without any amendments to the text.

“Violent crimes against foreigners are relatively infrequent, although there have been an increasing number of reports of sexual offences including on minors,” the advisory states. “There remains a heightened level of security (checkpoints, road blocks) throughout the country. You should exercise a high level of vigilance. The risk for the most part is one of being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. To minimise this, you should avoid military, government and paramilitary locations.”

The advisory which was updated on Thursday on the British Foreign Office website had no changes despite Monday’s discussion between External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris and British High Commissioner John Rankin.

At this meeting the minister had requested that the advisory last updated on August 14 be amended to reflect the security developments throughout the country. The minister had also pointed out that there was no justification for the manner in which violence in the country was portrayed. (DS)

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Comments - 18

Silva de Mervin Saturday, 25 August 2012 10:06 AM

sach,

Really?

British govt knows well that high % of the British visitors are Tamils who are visiting their relatives back home and as a responsible government it care for its citizens.

Our politicians, as usual, wrongly interpret this as against tourism and against Sri Lanka.

At times Sri Lankan government care for its citizens affected in the middle east and during the trouble in Libiya.

ASFAR Monday, 27 August 2012 08:45 AM

to bring tourists to sri lanka we must learn their way of life first.

Saman Sunday, 26 August 2012 02:36 AM

What is the latest news on the Pradeshiya sabha chariman who KILLED the British national and REPED his wife?

GhostLanka Saturday, 25 August 2012 07:04 PM

This Sri Lankan (Dessha Premaya) like any other always known to bring outside irrational point into argument. (Ahaak yaan kuunu godak dhaann haadhnwa....koheda yanne maley poley...)

1. If UK stays away from SL then it would not be miracle of Asia, our 1st class students would not have STGs currencies then to go for higher education.
2. Atleast the murdered victims are assured of proper transparent justice with help from media without political interference.
3. Corrupt Ecuador is a place where violence against women is common, Assange is trying to run away from a sexual abuse lawsuit by Swedish women. His lawyer Jemmina Goldsmith strongly wants him to answer those accusations...instead he is absconding.

GhostLanka Saturday, 25 August 2012 06:37 PM

I SALUTE TO YOU WORRIED TRAVELLER

Gunawardena Saturday, 25 August 2012 03:56 PM

Ah good Uk then stay away from SL and go on a cheap holiday somewhere else!!
Oh and what about the amount of people that get murdered everyweek.
Ah and what are you trying to do to Mr. Asange?? forcing him out of the embassy of Ecuador.
SO true what a marvelous country the uk is.

GSK Saturday, 25 August 2012 03:39 PM

well said, respect !!

V.K Saturday, 25 August 2012 03:30 PM

Thank you, Worried Traveller.

ceylon Saturday, 25 August 2012 03:39 PM

Probably Mr. GL is ignorant about reality in SL life. Big buildings, new roads and bridges do not cut it.

Worried Traveller Saturday, 25 August 2012 06:39 AM

Perhaps this headline should be amended to:

"No change in Sri Lankan conditions which lead to British travel advisory"

If your politiciants worked for the Sri Lankan people and applied themselves towards changing such conditions, Sri Lanka would become a better place for Sri Lankans and tourists alike.

The British travel advisory simply reflects current conditions in your country, It places no travel restrictions, and encourages British travellers to be respectful of local culture and local authorities, and avoid potential trouble spots. All sensible stuff in my view.

Sri Lankan politicians need to look inwards and work towards fixing a fractured society, not outwards by fixing perceptions through propoganda. Their job is to make Sri Lanka a better place for Sri Lankans, NOT to advance their personal careers.

sach Saturday, 25 August 2012 09:06 AM

this is politics by the british. Sri Lanka can no way be subjected to a travel advisory.

steve Saturday, 25 August 2012 08:56 AM

At least British government care about their citizens unlike ours. Sri Lankans currently experiencing Rape, Extorsion,KIdnapping, Political Revenge,Killings,Raping of young girls/Boys and killing them...and the list goes on and on along with high level robbing by the government ministers.

So i think British Travel guide has been very lenient on what they have actually said. They should tell everything happening here and no one will want to step in to SL if they know the actual facts.

But not sure whether Island newspapaer will submit my comments

Steve

roger Saturday, 25 August 2012 08:05 AM

Why should they change it, Its the "DUTY OF CARE" by the British Gov to is Citizens.

Shehan Jayawardene Saturday, 25 August 2012 07:28 AM

I agree 100% with the British travel advisory. Apart from the crimes against foreigners (remember the British national who was killed and his Russian girlfriend raped by a Pradeshiya Sabha MP and his goons still not in custody)...the funny part is that of the heightened level of security (checkpoints, road blocks) throughout the country (even after the end of the war).

Arachchi Saturday, 25 August 2012 07:43 AM

Thanks... Now we know GoSL cant fool Int'l community as they doing thru few medias in here

Yuri Saturday, 25 August 2012 07:20 AM

British Gov realy care about their Citizen. Who can Blame

insane Saturday, 25 August 2012 07:19 AM

Poor GL wasting time and money trying to change foreign opinions. Foreigners know the truths and don't beleive lyeing SL.

Gamaraala Saturday, 25 August 2012 06:52 AM

The british did not understand what our Professor was trying to say..

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No change in British travel advisory

Comments - 18

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