Sri Lanka restricting tourists from restive north region
Sri Lankan authorities have passed new rules making it compulsory for tourists to apply for special permits to visit a former conflict zone in the north of the country.
Citing security concerns, permits will be issued in advance to prevent ‘negative interventions’ the defence ministry said.
The defence ministry statement gave no explanation as to what concerns it has in the region, but said foreign visitors are required inform authorities of the ‘objectives and purposes of the projects or other reasons for which they intend to travel’.
The military said that rules barring foreigners from visiting the north was never removed completely after the war in 2009 but was rarely implemented in practice.
Most of the tourism industry was taken by surprise by the move, as foreign visitors were turned away at security checkpoints during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to the region last week.
Once the heartland of Tamil guerilla forces during a decades-long struggle for autonomy, the region has been largely peaceful for the past five years with a burgeoning tourism industry developing.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026