Currently, the FCDO warns there is “a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals”, adding: “Terrorists are likely to try and carry out attacks in Sri Lanka”.
It also says attacks in Sri Lanka could be “indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners such as hotels, tourist sites and places of worship”.
But, in an open letter signed by leading tourism providers from the UK and Sri Lanka, current advice is labelled “overly harsh” by campaigners who condemn the government for “systematically undermining the travel industry” in Sri Lanka.
It has been signed by Sri Lankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance, Holiday Architects, Travel Gallery and Lord Naseby, the founder and joint chair of the All-Party Sri Lankan APPG.
Former Sri Lankan cricket captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have also signed the letter.
The letter stresses that the Sri Lankan tourism industry employed more than 380,000 people last year and one in five people in Sri Lanka rely on income generated by tourism to the country.
The letter goes on to say: “Neighbouring countries benefit from more generous advice despite having more instances of British nationals being exposed to danger.
“The FCDO says it has recently revised Sri Lanka guidance. But the changes are synthetic and inadequate as officials persist in drawing attention to protests and violent unrest which have long since ceased.”
Sam Clark, managing director of specialist tour operator Experience Travel Group, which compiled the letter, said: “It is clear that the FCDO travel advice is no longer fit for purpose in relation to Sri Lanka.
“There is really no doubt in the minds of those who back the open letter that Sri Lanka is generally one of the safest places to visit in Asia.
“It is therefore misguided for the UK government to undermine the travel industry by retaining outdated travel advice which deters British citizens from visiting and directs income away from those who work within the tourism industry in the country.”
In August 2022, the trade welcomed the lifting of the FCDO’s advice against all non-essential travel to Sri Lanka, but now it wants the government to go one step further and change its advice regarding the safety of UK nationals abroad.
Large-scale protests in Sri Lanka had resulted in violence, injuries and deaths in 2022.
