UK travel advisory on Sri Lanka as economic crisis triggers violence

The United Kingdom has advised against non-essential travel to Sri Lanka as the worst currency crisis in the history of the island’s central bank triggered social unrest and violence killing at least nine and angry mobs torched property of ruling party officials.

“The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka, due to ongoing political and economic instability,” UK citizens were told on May 13.

“This advice does not apply to airside transit through Sri Lanka’s international airport.”