Safe travels in Sri Lanka, useful travel tips

In order to bring our small friends (dogs or cats, but also any other animal) with us to Sri Lanka, it is essential to obtain a permit. We can apply for this permit through the website of the Department of Health and Animal Protection of Sri Lanka, in the section Import/Export (Application for Dogs and Cats). At the moment the completion of the online form is suspended but you can write to the email indicated to complete the procedure.

Unfortunately the health facilities in Sri Lanka are not in a good condition and the level of care can therefore be described as poor. We have to forget the western standards we are used to and, far from the inhabited centres, it is often impossible to find support for emergencies or medical therapies.

For more complex operations, it is advisable to return to one’s own country or, if urgent, to go to the nearest hospitals in Singapore or Thailand.

DISEASES IN SRI LANKA

With regard to the situation of endemic diseases in Sri Lanka, an increase in the number of cases of Dengue fever has been reported compared to the average for the season, with more aggressive forms between May and September, in the areas in the south-west of the country, and from November to April in the north-east, during the monsoon period.

Chikungunya fever is still present, although it is considerably decreasing. The areas most affected by this disease are Gampaha (near Colombo) and the metropolitan part of the capital such as Kandy, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura as well as the area known as the ‘cultural triangle’.

In any case, the health authorities regularly organise clean-up operations to combat the spread of the type of mosquito responsible for these diseases. The World Health Organisation has also confirmed that malaria has been definitively eradicated in Sri Lanka. In any case, it is recommended that travellers take the right precautions to avoid bites from these insects, using repellents and covering their arms and legs.

SAFE TRAVEL IN SRI LANKA: WARNINGS FOR THE HEALTH SITUATION

Travelers suffering from major illnesses that may require hospital care are advised not to leave for this country. We reiterate the advice to use repellents against mosquitoes or insect bites in general and to cover legs and arms mainly with suitable clothing to protect against bites.

If you develop a fever, we advise you not to take antipyretics or other similar medication, but to consult a doctor first: antipyretics are contraindicated in cases of Dengue fever.

OTHER HEALTH TIPS

We also recommend that you observe the following practical guidelines:

• after consulting your doctor, get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, cholera and tetanus; (we recommend that you check in advance with the Asl (local health authority) of your town about the rules and timing for vaccinations. Some of these vaccines, in fact, show their effect a few weeks after administration and therefore if you carry out the protocol too close to departure there is a risk of not being adequately protected);
• pack medicines to counteract the most frequent illnesses (headaches, intestinal problems, fever, etc.);
• drink only water and sealed drinks without adding ice (since you cannot know what water was used to prepare it);
• use sunscreen against sunburn.

If you are victim of bites from stray animals, which are present in large numbers on city streets, it is essential that you take the anti-rabies prophylaxis. Remember, as we have already indicated, that it is advisable to take out insurance before departure to cover medical expenses as well as a possible transfer for hospitalisation in another country or repatriation on an equipped flight.

SRI LANKA: COMPULSORY VACCINATIONS

Vaccination against Yellow Fever is compulsory for travellers over 1 year old coming from countries at risk of transmission or who have been in one of the airports of the following locations for more than 12 hours: Senegal, Guinea, Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya or Congo, Uganda and Gabon as well as Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay.
Let us now take a look at the security situation in the country.

GENERAL TIPS ON PUBLIC ORDER AND CRIME RISK

Sri Lanka, after the end of the conflicts between the government and the Tamil Tigers (a paramilitary group with communist and nationalist ideology that created tensions in the country in 2009), was able to live in tranquillity for a long time until, unfortunately, the unfortunate events of 2019 when several attacks took place in Colombo, Batticaloa and Negombo.

After these sad events, the situation in the country has normalised and can now be described as calm, thanks also to the massive control over the entire territory that the police have been able to organise. In any case, since it is not possible to completely exclude possible social tensions linked to the new political climate in relation to the elections held last August, we always recommend that travellers keep up to date with any communications in order to be informed of the situation in real time.

With regard to crime in general, crimes such as pickpocketing or theft against foreign tourists have been documented, especially in tourist areas in the south of the country. A few reports of sexual harassment of Western female tourists were reported by the competent authorities.

SAFE TRAVEL IN SRI LANKA: AREAS TO EXERCISE CAUTION

The control bodies and the armed forces are doing an excellent job of maintaining a high level of security throughout the country, especially in areas considered to be at risk such as the northern region of Vavuniya, Kilinochchi as well as Mullaitivu, where checkpoints and document checks can be found, or areas where there have also been clashes between ethnic factions in the past.

In the departments of Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu, caution should be exercised as there are still ongoing mine clearance operations near areas where military camps are located.

SAFE TRAVELLING IN SRI LANKA: SUMMARY OF WARNINGS AND SUGGESTIONS

Let’s take a look at some general tips to ensure a successful trip to Sri Lanka.

• The advice for travellers is to check with your local health authority to find out about preventive health measures (vaccinations, etc.) to be followed both before leaving and during your stay in Sri Lanka, as well as upon your return;
• Keep up to date with the situation in the country through local and international channels, remembering to avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place or where there are crowds;
• diligently comply with the safety instructions given by the authorities of the place where you are staying;
• given the dangerous nature of local traffic, take great care when using public transport;
• avoid, if possible, driving personally (remember that you drive on the left) because the road situation outside the capital is of poor quality, much better to rely on local drivers who can be hired for an acceptable sum
• avoid using bicycles and scooters as they are risky means of transport due to the heavy traffic that does not respect the rules of the road;
• avoid travelling at night;
• honour the ethical rules prescribed by Buddhism: it is forbidden to practise nudism on the beach and to consume alcohol; it is advisable to cover yourself with suitable clothes when visiting temples, which can be accessed by taking off your shoes, remembering, moreover, that any outrage against both the religious symbols and the place that hosts them is severely punished;
• if you decide to bathe in the ocean, remember to pay attention to the strong currents that are already present near the shore and generate large waves on the way back;
• for female tourists, especially if they are travelling alone, it is recommended that they use extreme caution during their stay as incidents of harassment have occurred;
• It should also be noted that several foreign tourists have been expelled from the country because they had shown tattoos depicting the Buddha, which is considered extremely offensive to the local population, it is also advisable to adopt a respectful attitude with regard to the statues of the Buddha (do not hug or kiss the statues because it is considered a crime and therefore the arrest is foreseen);
• with regard to the use of drugs, Sri Lanka has very strict regulations with severe penalties, up to life imprisonment;
• the forces of law and order control the territory very carefully as part of the prevention of paedophilia and child prostitution, crimes which carry very severe penalties;
• in the event that the traveller encounters problems with the Police (for any kind of arrest or detention), the advice is to contact your Embassy for assistance;
• in some areas there is a lack of telephone signal and/or internet access, so check the area you intend to visit;
• Remember that it is forbidden to take photographs of uniformed personnel, military buildings or public structures such as the Government Palace, airports or bridges.