Sri Lanka

South and Southeast Asia

Date: January 18th, 2005 |

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Areas devastated by the tsunami are recovering at different paces, with Aceh province in Indonesia’s Sumatra the hardest hit and farthest from any semblance of normalcy. Many other areas, however, are on the mend and several countries are pleading with tourists to return because their economies depend on them. Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Maldive [read more]

South and Southeast Asia

Date: December 27th, 2004 |

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The tsunami triggered by a powerful earthquake off the coast of Sumatra caused devastation throughout both regions and will have an impact on travel and tourism in coastal areas of many countries for at least the next few weeks. Sri Lanka, southern India, Aceh province in Indonesia, southwestern Thailand and the Maldive Islands were all [read more]

Sri Lanka

Date: September 24th, 2003 |

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Peace talks have been stalled for months, but the cease-fire has held and hopes are high that talks will resume in October. Meanwhile, tourism numbers are up and hotels in the south are reporting full bookings in the low season, a dramatic change from a short time ago. Travelers who might otherwise have gone to [read more]

Sri Lanka

Date: May 13th, 2002 |

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Women travelers who wish to visit the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy need to follow local dress requirements now that a “sarong service” at the temple has been terminated. The service fell victim to a newspaper photograph of a male temple employee assisting a “scantily-clad” female tourist with her sarong. Outrage followed and now [read more]

Sri Lanka

Date: April 9th, 2002 |

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A cease-fire put in place in February has been holding and peace talks are scheduled for May in Thailand, paving the way for the resumption of domestic flights and the reopening of a key road allowing access to the Jaffna Peninsula in the north, a key rebel stronghold. Both moves suggest that real progress is [read more]

South and Southeast Asia

Date: January 4th, 2005 |

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As the relief effort for areas hit by the tsunami builds momentum, Thai officials are implementing an early warning system that will alert citizens to future tsunami dangers, allowing evacuations to take place in time to save lives. Tsunamis are much more frequent in the Pacific Ocean and early warning systems to prevent disaster in [read more]

Sri Lanka

Date: August 3rd, 2004 |

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Hopes for a lasting peace in the war between the Tamil Tigers and the Sinhalese majority government are dimming as the opposition withdrew its support of the government�s effort to rejuvenate peace talks. The Tigers are warning that war could resume, roadblocks have returned to Colombo after a series of killings, and Norwegian mediators, who [read more]

Sri Lanka

Date: September 11th, 2002 |

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After much uncertainty, peace talks are scheduled for Sept. 16 in Thailand between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels. A major obstacle to the talks was overcome Sept. 5 when the government lifted the ban on the rebel group. Hopes have never been higher for a settlement of the conflict that has plagued this island [read more]

Sri Lanka

Date: May 13th, 2002 |

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Elections for provincial councils will take place April 6 in Central, North Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Western provinces. Elections here are usually marked by violence despite condemnation of violence by all political parties. Curfews are often imposed during elections. Travelers should avoid all political rallies, minimize contact with government installations and obey curfew res [read more]

Sri Lanka

Date: February 26th, 2002 |

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The government and Tamil rebels have signed a cease-fire accord that should lead to peace talks in what appears to be a breakthrough in efforts to bring this 18-year conflict to an end. The deal was brokered by the Norwegian government, with the next step being finding a neutral venue for the talks. If the [read more]