Message for U.S. Citizens - Vigilante Attacks

August 25, 2011

In August 2011, there has been a series of vigilante attacks in a number of rural areas in Sri Lanka, with some attacks resulting in serious injury or death. These attacks are aimed at young men accused by local residents of accosting or stalking women, attempting robberies or participating in other criminal activities. This phenomenon had been localized but has spread in past weeks. The U.S. Embassy advises you to be vigilant of your surroundings and personal safety. Tourists who visit rural areas need to be aware that strangers may be viewed with heightened suspicion by local residents. There is no evidence to suggest U.S. citizens are at particular risk but you should monitor local media and avoid areas where there is unrest and avoid travel in rural areas at night. Please report any suspected criminal activity to the nearest police station. U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State's latest Country Specific Information for Sri Lanka and the Worldwide Caution. U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest travel updates and information and to obtain updated information on travel and security issues. You can get global updates at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where you can find the Worldwide Caution and current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. If you don't have Internet access, you can call 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. Please note that the United States does not have an Embassy in Maldives, but U.S. citizens in need of assistance can contact the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The U.S Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka is located at 210 Galle Road Colombo 3 (tel: +94-11-249-8500, fax: +94-11-249-8501) and is open to the American public Mondays and Wednesdays, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00p.m., excluding Embassy holidays. In the event of emergency only, you may contact the Embassy duty officer after hours at tel: +94-77-725-6307. The Consulate's e-mail address is colomboacs@state.gov and its Internet web page is http://srilanka.usembassy.gov. Message to U.S. Citizens - Changes to filing for Alien Relative Petitions Dear American Citizens: This message contains information on important procedural changes to filing petitions for alien relatives to migrate to the United States. For more details, please refer to the information below from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you have any questions, please contact the Consular Section at consularcolombo@state.gov , telephone 011-249-8544 or 011-249-8741.