October 28, Colombo – Julie Chung, the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, clarified that the United States has not imposed a travel ban on Sri Lanka, dispelling recent rumors and emphasizing that a recent security alert pertains solely to the Arugam Bay area. Speaking at an event on Monday, Chung underscored the collaborative efforts between the U.S. Embassy and Sri Lankan authorities to address the specific security concern and reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring the safety of U.S. citizens in Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Chung explained that the alert, which advises Americans to avoid Arugam Bay until further notice, is based on credible information about a specific security threat in that area. She reiterated that it falls under the U.S. Embassy’s “duty to warn,” a policy standard across all U.S. embassies worldwide that requires them to share potential threats with U.S. citizens, embassy staff, and host governments alike.
“This approach is standard practice worldwide. When we became aware of a specific threat in the Arugam Bay area, we shared these known details with Sri Lankan authorities, who responded quickly,” she stated. Chung expressed pride in the ongoing collaboration with Sri Lanka’s leadership and security officials and emphasized their joint commitment to safeguarding both residents and visitors.
Addressing misinformation, Ambassador Chung stressed, “There is no travel ban on Sri Lanka. Our security alert last week is solely for Americans to avoid Arugam Bay until further notice.” She noted that Sri Lanka remains under a Level 2 travel advisory—a rating shared by popular destinations like the Maldives, France, and Italy.
The U.S. Embassy’s longstanding travel advisory for Sri Lanka, set at Level 2, encourages travelers to exercise increased caution. Chung assured that her office fully supports Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and will continue efforts to foster a safe, welcoming environment essential to the country’s economic vitality.
With the U.S. and Sri Lanka working closely on a daily basis to address any security concerns, Ambassador Chung affirmed her confidence in Sri Lanka’s safety and commitment to transparency.
