Italy relaxes travel advisory

Italy yesterday became the latest country to relax its travel advisory on Sri Lanka, raising hopes of a faster recovery for the local tourism industry. 

In a positive development, the Italian Embassy in Sri Lanka said it had updated its travel advisory on its website for all Italian nationals travelling to Sri Lanka. 

Lowering the level of security previously advised against travel to Sri Lanka, the new update advises Italian nationals intending to travel to Sri Lanka during this period to exercise the utmost caution, keeping the attention threshold in all circumstances. 

The improved outlook of the update adds that the security situation in Sri Lanka is gradually returning to normal even if a state of Emergency is still in force. It further recommends avoiding the areas directly affected by possible Police operations and the points with large public turnout (such as places of worship, shopping centres, events, etc.) limiting travel in general, and following local authorities’ indications. 

It also advises travellers to keep updated with news on any further developments. Further, the update informs that Colombo’s International Airport is operational and that those departing from Sri Lanka should reach early due to additional security checks. 

Earlier China, India, Germany and Switzerland were among the countries that softened or relaxed their travel advisories imposed after the Easter Sunday attacks.