Demonstration Notices

Demonstration Notice – May 15, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of two rallies this afternoon. The first will commence at 1:30 pm at Campbell Park, Colombo 9 and march to Colombo Fort Railway Station. A second counter protest is expected to gather at Lake House Roundabout and may march to the Fort Railway Station. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the following areas and any other areas where rallies may take place. Expect heavy police presence and traffic congestion in these areas.

Spontaneous demonstrations take place in Sri Lanka from time to time in response to world events or local developments. We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and become violent. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid demonstrations and to exercise caution if in the vicinity of any demonstrations. U.S. citizens should monitor media coverage of local events and this website and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Demonstration Notice – April 30, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of several May Day Rallies organized in Colombo and around the country to be held in the afternoon of May 1, 2013. The largest of these parades is expected to take place from Nelum Pokuna Theater (Colombo – 7) to Campbell Park (Colombo – 9). U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the following areas and any other areas where rallies may take place. Expect heavy police presence and traffic congestion in these areas.

1) Colombo 1 – 15

2) Battaramulla

3) Dehiwala

4) PitaKotte

5) Kurunegala

6) Badulla

7) Kotagala

Demonstration Notice – March 21, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of a planned protest in the immediate vicinity of the U.S. Embassy and the Indian High Commission on Galle Road, Colombo 3. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid this area. Expect police presence and traffic congestion in the area.

Demonstration Notice – March 20, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of an ongoing protest involving 200 individuals outside of the Indian High Commission on Galle Road, Colombo 3. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid this area. Expect police presence and traffic congestion in the area.

Demonstration Notice – March 19, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of an ongoing protest outside of the Indian High Commission on Galle Road, Colombo 3. The American Center, located next to the Indian High Commission, is temporarily closed to traffic. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid this area. Expect police presence and traffic congestion in the area.

Demonstration Notice – February 20, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of a protest of about 75 people taking place in the vicinity of the Iranian Embassy on Independence Avenue, Colombo 7. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid this location. Expect police presence and traffic congestion in the area.

Demonstration Notice – February 7, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of a protest of about 150 people taking place in front of the Fort Railway Station. The Police have blocked off Lotus Road (near the Hilton Colombo). U.S. citizens are advised to avoid these locations. Expect police presence and heavy traffic congestion in the areas.

Demonstration Notice – February 6, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of two protests scheduled for this afternoon, as follows:

1) Protesters will gather at the Lake House Roundabout, Colombo 10, in the early afternoon and march to Hyde Park Corner, Colombo 2 for a rally scheduled to start at 3:00pm.

2) Protesters will gather at Campbell Park, Colombo 9 in the early afternoon and march to Hyde Park Corner, Colombo 2 for a rally scheduled to start at 3:00pm

U.S. citizens are advised to avoid these locations. Expect police presence and heavy traffic congestion in the areas.

Demonstration Notice – January 29, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of two protests scheduled for this afternoon, as follows:

1) Protest at Lipton Circus, Colombo 7, at 2:00pm; and

2) Protest at Public Library, Colombo 7, at 2:00pm.

U.S. citizens are advised to avoid these locations. Expect police presence and heavy traffic congestion in the areas.

Demonstration Notice – January 22, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of several protests organized this afternoon as follows:

1) Protest in front of the Indian High Commission – Colombo 3;

2) Protest in the Pettah Market area – Colombo 11;

3) Protest in front of the Fort Railway Station – Colombo 11; and

4) Protest in Vihara Maha Devi Park – Colombo 7.

U.S. citizens are advised to avoid these locations. Expect police presence and heavy traffic congestion in the areas.

Demonstration Notice – January 10, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of several protests organized today as follows:

1) Protest march from the Court Complex to Parliament (from 10:00 a.m.);

2) Protest march from Pettah to Parliament (from 10:00 a.m.);

3) Protest March from Pita Kotte to Parliament (from 12:00 p.m.);

4) Protest rally near Parliament (from 12 p.m.); and

5) Protest rally near the Chief Justice’s Residence on the corner of Wijerama Mawatha and Bullers Road, Colombo 7.

U.S. citizens are advised to avoid these areas. Expect police presence and heavy traffic congestion in the area.

Demonstration Notice – January 8, 2013

The Embassy has received reports that approximately 1000 protesters are marching on Parliament Road at Battaramulla near Water’s Edge. American citizens are advised to avoid the area. Expect police presence and heavy traffic congestion in the area.

Demonstration Notice – January 7, 2013

The Embassy has received reports of planned protests today at Fort railway station (10:00 a.m.), Campbell Park (2:00 p.m.), and Hyde Park Grounds, Colombo 2 (3:00 p.m.). American citizens are advised to avoid the area. Expect police presence and heavy traffic congestion in the area.

Demonstration Notice – December 6, 2012

The Embassy has received reports of a planned protest around 5:00 p.m today. One thousand protesters are expected to march from Campbell Park, Colombo 8 to Hyde Park, Colombo 2, through Colombo 10. American citizens are advised to avoid the area. Expect police presence and traffic congestion in the area.

Demonstration Notice – November 1, 2012

The Embassy has received reports of a planned protest around 3:00 p.m. today. Protesters are expected to march from Town Hall to Temple Trees and use one of the two following roads: Dharmapala Mawatha; or Nelum Pokuna Mawatha. American citizens are advised to avoid the area. Expect police presence and traffic congestion in the area.

Demonstration Notice – October 23, 2012

The Embassy has received reports of an ongoing protest involving approximately 150-200 people at Independence Avenue in front of the Ministry of Public Administration & Home Affairs. The protest is expected to conclude at 12:00 p.m. Expect police presence and traffic congestion in the area.

Demonstration Notice – October 22, 2012

The Embassy has received reports of three unrelated protest marches planning to occur today.

The first protest, consisting of approximately 100 people, plans to assemble at 2 p.m. today in front of the United Nations building, Colombo 7. This group of protestors is expected to remain in the area until 4 p.m.

The second protest, consisting of approximately 500 people, plans to assemble at 4 p.m. today near the Fort Railway, Colombo 3. This group of protestors is expected to remain in the area until 4:30 p.m.

The third protest, consisting of approximately 400 people, is expected to assemble at 4:30 p.m. today in the Viharamahadevi Park Open Air Stadium, Colombo 7. This group of protestors is expected to remain in the area for an undetermined period of time.

Expect heavy traffic and a heavy police presence in the areas. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the protest areas.

Demonstration Notice – October 5, 2012

The Embassy has received reports of two separate protests. The first group of protestors is currently marching on Galle Road and plans to assemble in front of Temple Trees (Colombo 3). The second group of protestors will assemble in front of the Norwegian Embassy on Bullers Lane (Colombo 3) at 11 a.m. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the protest areas.

Demonstration Notice – October 4, 2012

The Embassy has received reports of an ongoing protest march making its way from the Lipton Circus to the Bangladeshi High Commission on Ward Place Colombo 7. Expect heavy traffic and a heavy police presence in the areas. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the protest areas.

Demonstration Notice – September 28, 2012

The Embassy has received reports of two related protest marches planning to convene at Hyde Park Corner (across from Arpico Shopping Center, Colombo 2) from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Approximately 6,000 protestors are expected to participate in the demonstration.

The first protest, consisting of approximately 3,000 people, plans to march on Galle Road towards Kollupitiya Junction. This group of protestors is expected to arrive at Kollupitiya Junction at approximately 2:30 p.m. and proceed directly to Hyde Park through Lipton Circus.

The second protest, consisting of approximately 3,000 people, is expected to march on Baseline Road towards Lipton Circus. This group of protestors is expected to arrive at Lipton Circus at approximately 3:30 p.m. and proceed directly to Hyde Park.

Expect heavy traffic and a heavy police presence in the areas. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the protest areas.

Demonstration Notice – September 27, 2012

The Embassy has received reports that protestors are planning to assemble at 2:00 pm in Lipton Circle (near Odel Shopping Center). Thereafter protestors are expected to march at 2:45 pm along Dharmapala Mawatha to the Public Library Auditorium, where they will participate in an in-door meeting (4:30 – 5:00 pm). Expect heavy traffic and a heavy police presence in the area. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the protest areas.

Demonstration Notice - September 19, 2012

The Embassy has received reports of a planned protest march starting at 1:00pm from Sathdarma Mawatha, Maligawatte Colombo -10 to Fort Railway Station. Expect heavy traffic and a heavy police presence in the area. American citizens are advised to avoid the marching areas.

Demonstration Notice – September 13, 2012

The Embassy has received reports of a planned protest starting at 1:00pm in front of the Colombo University which is expected to march along two routes, one along Cambridge Place through Albert Crescent and the other will be along Reid Avenue through Independence Avenue to the University Grants Commission in Colombo 7 (Near Odel). The march is expected to last about one or two hours. As always it is recommended that crowds are avoided. Expect heavy traffic delays and a heavy police presence in the area.

Demonstration Notice – August 23, 2012

The Embassy has received reports of a planned protest opposite the Indian High Commission on Galle Road, Colombo 3, starting at 12:00 pm. The protest is expected to continue until 1:30pm. Expect heavy traffic delays and a heavy police presence in the area.

Embassy of the United States

U.S. Citizen Services

Demonstration Notices

Demonstration Notices