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International SOS deploys team to Colombo Sri Lanka
International SOS and Control Risks has a team in Colombo, Sri Lanka to assist and support clients following the bomb attacks on 21 April.
The Incident Management Team, consisting of medical and security personnel, arrived on 21 April to assess the security risks and provide support on-going requests for assistance.
International SOS also established a Crisis Management Team, based out of the Singapore Assistance Centre, to manage on-the-ground information and coordinate support to clients concerned for their employees.
Our Advice for Travel to Sri Lanka
- Travel to Sri Lanka can proceed with stringent precautions and comprehensive journey management planning, which include local hosting, a robust communications plan, prearranged transportation and reconfirmation of hotel bookings. The selected hotels should have adequate assessed security arrangements to mitigate risks posed by terrorism and unrest.
- Internal movement, including in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa, can proceed. Due to possible short-notice road disruption from security operations, travellers should maintain flexible itineraries and conduct overland journeys only after confirmation that routes are clear. Continue to avoid the blast sites as a precaution and to minimise disruption.
- Adhere to all official directives, including the curfew from 20.00 on 22 April to 04.00 on 23 April, which may be extended or intermittently re-imposed. Expect a heightened security presence and carry relevant travel and identification documents to facilitate passage through checkpoints.
- Those with departing flights from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) should arrive at the airport at least four hours in advance due to increased checks. Ensure that airport transfers have been prearranged via the local host or the hotel.
- Avoid churches as they remain likely targets for attacks. Maintain increased vigilance and minimise time spent around densely populated and/or poorly secured areas, such as religious places of worship, transport hubs, marketplaces, popular tourist locations and public areas of hotels. Be alert to suspicious behaviour and do not approach unattended or suspect packages.
- Monitor our Sri Lanka alerts for further updates.
For the latest information and advice, International SOS members are advised to contact their Assistance Centre, register for email alerts and review the travel security updates on Travel Security Online and through the International SOS Portal.
We also advise clients and members to download the International SOS Assistance App, here.
Notes to Editors
About International SOS and Control Risks
Our alliance brings together two of the world’s leading medical and security specialists, International SOS and Control Risks. Our combined resources and expertise are well placed to meet the customers’ growing need for integrated travel security risk services. Our solutions ensure that mobile employees are safe and productive and help employers with their duty of care obligations. 50 dedicated experts, located across the globe with access to over 200 dedicated travel security experts through 26 regional Assistance Centres and a partner network of over 700 accredited providers, produce global travel security information and analysis 24/7. We also provide travel security training, preventative travel assessment, support with the development of travel security risk policies, evacuation plans and the latest technology to enable clients to track and communicate with their mobile employees.
