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English.news.cn
2012-09-02 18:40:23
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COLOMBO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka External Affairs Minister G. L.
Peiris left for London over the weekend in an attempt to meet British officials
and urge them to withdraw a travel advisory on Sri Lanka, a government official
said on Sunday.
External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunatilleke Amunugama told
reporters that Peiris was hopeful of meeting his counterpart though it was
still not confirmed.
The advisory states there is an upsurge in nationalism and anti- Western
rhetoric in Sri Lanka and cautioned Britons visiting, working or residing in
the country to be extra vigilant at all times.
It also advised Britons to stay clear of local demonstrations, while
women moving singly or in small groups were told to be armed with self-alarm
devices as there was a steep increase in rape and sexual molestation cases.
The Sri Lankan government had initially raised its concerns with the
British High Commission in Colombo over the travel advice when it was first
released last month.
However the issue went unattended as the travel advice was released with
amendments days later but with the same controversial notes.
Tourism industry officials in Sri Lanka had raised concerns over the
impact the travel advice may have on British tourists visiting Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is expecting more tourist arrivals from Britain next year with
British Airways resuming flights to Colombo in March 2013.
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Editor: Yang Lina
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