Non-essential travel to Sri Lanka is discouraged for Singaporeans

SINGAPORE: After demonstrators stormed the presidential palace and forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) recommended Singaporeans on Sunday (July 10) to postpone all non-essential travel to Sri Lanka.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Singaporeans in Sri Lanka should “exercise vigilance and take all necessary precautions” to ensure their safety.

“If there are large crowds or protests, they should stay away from public places. In addition, they should pay attention to local news reports and follow any directions given by authorities in their area.”

After running out of foreign currency to import needs, Sri Lanka has experienced months of shortages of basic items, long blackouts, and galloping inflation.

At the height of a violent protest against the government’s inability to address the country’s dire economic situation, tens of thousands of protestors descended on Rajapaksa’s home and office, along with that of the prime minister.

Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa have both stated they will step down on July 13 to let an all-party interim government take hold, parliament’s speaker.

Travelers to or in Sri Lanka should acquire “complete travel insurance and familiarize themselves with the terms and coverage,” according to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.