Sri lanka News – Several European countries have relaxed travel advisories issued for Sri Lanka effective Friday August 26, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said.
France, Switzerland, Norway and the UK have relaxed the advisories issued to their tourists allowing more tourists to come to Sri Lanka, Fernando tweeted Friday morning.
“Happy to announce France, Switzerland, Norway and the UK relaxing travel restrictions for their citizens to travel to Sri Lanka,” Fernando said.
“This is a positive step and I am positive that the winter tourism season will perform well.”
The UK, advising its citizens after relaxing its restrictions, recommended that UK tourists get travel insurance and to expect power cuts and fuel shortages as the country is in the grip of a currency crisis.
“The UK no longer advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka,” UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth office said.
Sri Lanka is experiencing a severe economic crisis which has led to shortages of basic necessities including medicines, cooking gas, fuel and food, the notice said.
“The major shortage of fuel (diesel and petrol) is affecting transport, businesses, and emergency services. Hospitals and other medical services such as ambulances may be affected by shortages.
“There are daily power cuts due to electricity rationing. It is more important than ever to get appropriate travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover.”
Sri Lanka’s queues for fuel and cooking gas have eased over the recent weeks.
The island nation has been experiencing forex shortages after two year of money printing to keep interest rates down hit the credibility of the island’s soft peg.
However, interest rates have been raised and outflows are now reducing. (Colombo/Aug26/2022)