U.S. CITIZEN MESSAGES

Message for U.S. Citizens – Victory Day Parade in Colombo

May 16, 2012

The Sri Lankan government will hold a Victory Day Parade on Saturday, May 19, 2012, in the Galle Face section of Colombo. The Galle Road north from Kollupitiya Junction will be intermittently closed this week for rehearsals relating to the Victory Day Parade and is expected to be completely closed on May 19, 2012, starting at 6:30 a.m. until the conclusion of the event. Residents of Galle Road will be allowed to enter and exit their residences but are likely to experience significant delays.

U.S. citizens living or traveling in Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives are encouraged to enroll with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll at the Embassy. By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State's, Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad,” which includes valuable security information for those living and traveling abroad. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. You can also download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain the latest information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo is located at 210 Galle Road. The telephone number is +94 11 249-8500. If you are a U.S. citizen with an after-hours emergency, please call the duty officer at: 077-725-6307. The fax number is +94 11 249-8501. The Consulate's e-mail address is colomboacs@state.gov and its internet web page is http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/.

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens - Tsunami Watch Sri Lanka and Maldives

April 11, 2012 at 3:30pm

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) has issued a Tsunami Watch for countries along the Indian Ocean, including Sri Lanka and Maldives when an 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck off of the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. It is not now known if a tsunami wave was generated by the earthquake. Earthquakes of this size have the potential to generate a widespread destructive tsunami than can affect the coastlines across the entire Indian Ocean Basin.

U.S. citizens should closely monitor local media for reports of any tsunami wave approaching Sri Lanka and Maldives. Please contact the Consular Section to schedule urgent citizen service appointments by telephone on 011-249-8686 or email colomboacs@state.gov

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo is located at 210 Galle Road. The telephone number is +94 11 249-8500. If you are an American citizen with an afterhours emergency, please call our hotline at: 077-725-6307. If you are unable to reach the duty officer on this number please dial 011-249-8888. The fax number is +94 11 249-8501. The Consulate's e-mail address is colomboacs@state.gov and its internet web page is http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/.

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens in the Republic of Maldives - Political protests in Male

March 23, 2012

The U.S. Embassy has received reports of continued political protests on the capital island of Malé. Some recent protests have become violent and police have used tear gas to disburse crowds. While no protest-related violence has been directed at foreigners, we remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn violent. U.S. citizens should avoid large crowds and monitor media coverage of local events. If you encounter demonstrations, or large crowds, you should remain calm and depart the area quickly and avoid confrontation. The U.S. Embassy has received no recent reports of demonstrations or unrest at the airport or at any of the tourist resorts. Check the U.S. Embassy Colombo website for possible updates, closely monitor local media for reports of protests, and remain aware of your surroundings at all times.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad,” which includes valuable security information for those living and traveling abroad. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. You can also download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain the latest information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo is located at 210 Galle Road. The telephone number is +94 11 249-8500. The number for after-hours emergencies is +94 11 249-8888. The fax number is +94 11 249-8501. The Consulate's e-mail address is colomboacs@state.gov and its internet web page is http://srilanka.usembassy.gov.

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens – Protests in front of US Embassy

March 21, 2012

The Embassy has received reports of two demonstrations directed toward the Embassy in protest of U.S. support of the resolution concerning Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council. A group of about 600 protesters are to assemble in front of the Embassy on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. A second demonstration is expected in front of the Embassy on Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 3 p.m., followed by a large gathering in Victoria Park, Colombo 7, at 4:30 p.m. More protests are possible through early next week.

U.S. citizens should closely monitor local media for reports of protests. 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 coming to the U.S. Embassy when there is an ongoing demonstration and to exercise caution if in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy at such time. If protests occur outside the Embassy, no one will be permitted into the compound until the protesters have dispersed. Please contact the Consular Section to schedule urgent citizen service appointments by telephone on 011-249-8686 or email colomboacs@state.gov

Embassy of the United States Sri Lanka & Maldives

U.S. Citizen Services

U.S. CITIZEN MESSAGES