Consulate General of Sri Lanka

Statement from Sri Lanka Tourism (SLTDA & SL TPB)

23rd April 2019

Media Release

Following the acts of terror that took place on Easter Sunday, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) have continued to engage with high-level government officials and tourism stakeholders in order to assess the current situation and have taken necessary steps to ensure all possible assistance is provided to tourists in need of help.

Sri Lanka Tourism is deeply shocked and saddened by the senseless violence and unreservedly condemns these dastardly acts. We offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to all the victims and their families, while wishing a speedy recovery to all those injured and currently receiving treatment.

In the immediate aftermath of the explosions Sri Lanka Tourism deployed trained emergency response teams and its representatives at hospitals, affected hotels and the airport to assist tourists in any way possible including hotel transfers, airline bookings, airport transfers, itinerary changes, hospital treatment, contacting their loved ones and reuniting missing family members through diplomatic channels.

In addition a 24 hour emergency support desk has been established and can be accessed as follows;

Emergency local hotline number to assist tourists currently in Sri Lanka - 1912

Emergency hotline to assist families of affected foreign nationals +94 11 2322485

Sri Lanka Tourism wishes to assure tourists who are already in the country and unaffected by the terror uuucks that the police, tourism police uud security forces urc jointly implementing a comprehensive security plan to ensure their safety across the island including all important tourism sites. Meanwhile a security briefing was held on 22nd April for hotel owners and operators on the new safety measures that are being rolled out and to seek their cooperation in strengthening security at hotels and resorts.

Sri Lanka Tourism would like to reassure the world that the country is open for business and all possible measures have been taken to ensure the safety and security of tourists. Our world famous tourism sites, hotels, resorts and other tourist attractions will remain open as usual. There are no road closures or restrictions on movement anywhere in the island.

Sri Lanka is a proudly diverse nation which celebrates its multicultural nature. Since the end of the war a decade ago, Sri Lanka has enjoyed absolute peace and it will do everything within its power to maintain the peace that every Sri Lankan cherishes and rebuild what has been destroyed with renewed vigour. There is no place for terrorism of any kind in Sri Lanka and whoever that is responsible for the Easter Sunday violence will be hunted down and punished in the strongest possible manner.

Sri Lanka Tourism looks forward to warmly welcome all those who have planned trips to the country in the days, weeks and months ahead.

(Concluded)

Ministry of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs

No. 78, Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka

Office: +94112382206

Fax: +94112382218

Mobile: +94 777 354 794

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Web:www.tuurismmin.sutvo .lk/ www.si-ilnnka.travel

Explosions in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka High Commission has assigned the following points of contact to respond/assist public inquires on the situation in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the explosions on Sunday 21^stApril, 2019.

The following officers may be contacted on matters related to Consular Affairs, Media, Travel and Tourism or any other matters of concern. Please note that the High Commission will only respond to specific queries of concern and relevance and not to general queries on the situation.

For Urgent Inquires Contact Details

Mission Hotline 613-233-8449

Mrs. J. Ellepola/ Mr. S.Amarakoon slhcit@rogers.com

For Consular Matters 613-233-3994

Mrs.S. Khan This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

613-233-3994

For Media, Travel and Tourism This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mrs.Mithila Perera 613-233-1550

24 hour hotline for inquires on affected foreign nationals

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka +94 11 232 3015

In addition to the above, the following Sri Lanka Police helpline is also available for assistance.

Sri Lanka Police Helpline +94 11 232 2485

Sri Lanka High Commission

Ottawa

21^st April 2019

Emergency Contact details in Sri Lanka

The following official can be Contacted with regard to any Consular and Media inquiries one the explosions that occurred on 21/04/2019 Sri Lanka

Consular /Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka

1.Mr. U.L. Mohommed Jauhar
Director General /Consular Affairs
Mobile:+94 774 513 222

2.Ms. Sachini Dias

Assistant Director / Consular Affairs

Mobile : +94 766 230 974

Media/Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka

1.Mrs. Saroja Sirisena

Director General / Public Diplomacy

Mobile : +94 777 328 8348

2.Mr. Niluka Kadurugamuwa

Director / Public Diplomacy

Mobile : +94 773 398 9623

3.Mr.Thulan Bandara

Assistant Director /Public Diplomacy

Mobile : +94 714 253 117

MEDIA RELEASE

Following the explosions that took place in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa, earlier today, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as deceased at the National Hospital in Colombo stands at eleven. The fatalities are: three (03) from India, one (01) from Portugal, two (02) from Turkey, three (03) from the UK, and two (02) holding US and UK nationalities.

Additionally, while nine foreign nationals are reported missing, there are twenty five unidentified bodies believed to be of foreigners at the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer’s mortuary.

Furthermore, as at 6pm today, 19 foreign nationals injured in the attacks are receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.

Directors of Negombo and Batticaloa General Hospitals and the Colombo North Teaching Hospital have informed the Foreign Ministry that no foreigners have been admitted with injuries or declared dead at their respective hospitals.

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and Tourism, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Secretary S. Hettiarachchi visited the Colombo National Hospital this afternoon where victims were receiving treatment and also the mortuary to express condolences to the bereaved families. The respective Colombo-based Heads of Mission of the countries of the deceased as well as Sri Lanka Missions overseas have been informed of the casualties.

The Foreign Ministry is in close contact with the relevant hospital authorities on the identification of the remaining victims. The Ministry will continue to monitor the welfare of the foreign nationals receiving treatment.

An emergency hotline to assist families of the affected foreign nationals will be operational 24 hours at +94 112323015.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

21 April 2019

Hon.Prime Minister's Statement

On behalf of the Government, I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the injured persons and the relations of the deceased consequent to the recent attacks occurred this morning. I see this as an attempt to make the country and its economy unstable.

I condemn these attacks which targeted religious places and some hotels. We all should join hands to protect law and order. I have already instructed the Secretary I Defence, Tri Forces Commanders and the Inspector General of Police to take stringent action to ensure law and order in the country.

Further, I and some ministers had a discussion with HE the President in this regard. Secretary to the President, Attorney General, and Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary I Disaster Management and Security Chiefs were among the present.

Law will be strictly enforced against the persons those who are responsible for these attacks after finalizing the investigations,

We shall bear with this unfortunate situation and work together to uphold the law and order.

Thank you!

Text in Sinhala (PDF)

Text in Tamil (PDF)