Foreign Office revises Sri Lanka travel advice

The UK Foreign Office and Commonwealth Office is no longer advising against all but essential travel to areas of Sri Lanka affected by the tsunami.

These comprise the eastern and south coasts, and the southwestern coast south of Kalutara.

The following is a summary of advice from the Foreign Office about travelling to all the tsunami affected regions and countries.

For more general and detailed travel advice about the countries below please see the Foreign Office website.

If you are intending to visit any of the affected areas, you are advised to contact your tour operator to find out whether it is safe to proceed.

India
The south east of India was affected by the tsunami with the Tamil Nadu coast, the Andhra Pradesh coast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands worst hit. There is extensive damage to buildings and other infrastructure in these areas and a risk of disease. Tourists are advised to check with their accommodation/travel agents before they travel.

Other parts of India, including most of Kerala, are not affected.

Indonesia
The Foreign Office is advising against all travel to the province of Aceh, Sumatra, after the west and north coasts were hit by a large tsunami on December 26, resulting in widespread flooding and damage. This is in addition to general advice against travel in Aceh due to security concerns.

Thailand
Almost the whole length of Thailand's west coast, along with many of the islands off the coast in the Andaman Sea, was affected by the recent series of tidal waves. The Foreign Office is advising against non-essential travel to the areas most badly affected, particularly Khao Lak and the Phi Phi islands. In other areas, including Phuket, some hotels and other facilities are still in good order.

Tourists intending to visit affected areas are advised to contact their travel/accommodation agents.

Other parts of Thailand, including east coast islands such as Ko Samui and Ko Phangan were not affected by the tsunami.

Malaysia
The north west coast of peninsular Malaysia, including Langkawi and Penang, were hit by the tsunami. The Foreign Office says the impact on Malaysia was less severe than in other areas in the region, but there is still significant damage. Tourists intending to visit any of the affected areas are told to check carefully that it is safe to proceed.

Sri Lanka
The tsunami caused large-scale damage along the eastern, southern and southwestern coastline of Sri Lanka. The Foreign Office reports that a number of hotels in the south and southwest are now functioning as normal. It advises anyone planning to travel to affected areas to check with their tour operator or hotel before travelling. Hotels on the east coast in Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay suffered major damage and remain closed, but there are no security reasons why travellers should not visit these areas.

The FCO was initially reporting a risk of disease in these areas, but now says that there has not been a large-scale outbreak. Visitors to the region are advised to ensure inoculations are up to date and to drink only bottled water.

Other parts of Sri Lanka, including the capital Colombo, were not affected by the tsunami.

The Maldives
A State of Emergency has been declared in the Maldives following the tsunami. Nineteen resort islands have been seriously damaged, but the airport in the capital of Male is now open. Those planning a holiday in the Maldives are advised to check with their tour operators before they proceed.