The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, recently clarified that there is no travel ban imposed on Sri Lanka by the United States. She emphasized that a recent security alert was issued solely to advise American citizens to avoid the Arugam Bay area temporarily, following a credible threat.
At an event held on Monday, Chung highlighted her responsibility to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens in Sri Lanka, mentioning that all U.S. embassies worldwide follow a “duty to warn” protocol. “If we become aware of a credible, specific security threat, we are required to share that information with our staff, U.S. citizens, and the host government,” she stated, adding that this approach is standard for U.S. embassies globally.
Chung stressed the importance of dispelling any misinformation about a travel ban, underscoring that the advisory level for Sri Lanka remains at “Level 2,” a status it shares with many popular destinations like the Maldives, France, and Italy. This advisory level encourages caution but does not restrict travel.
She also highlighted the active partnership between U.S. and Sri Lankan security officials, commending the swift response from Sri Lankan authorities in handling the specific threat to Arugam Bay. “We support Sri Lanka’s efforts to provide a secure environment essential for a thriving tourism sector,” Chung affirmed, adding that the embassy is fully committed to assisting Sri Lanka in maintaining a welcoming and safe space for all visitors.
