SRI LANKA’S tourism industry has expressed surprise over the restrictions on access to the northern parts of the country for foreigners.
Last week, the military announced that all foreign passport holders will now require permission from the defence ministry to travel to the north. Clearance will be granted in two to three days from application.
Industry sources told TTG Asia e-Daily that foreigners visiting the north were turned away at security checkpoints last week, when president Mahinda Rajapaksa was in the region.
At least two tourism industry associations TTG Asia e-Daily spoke to were surprised by the announcement. An association official who requested anonymity said: “I thought the ban was temporary due to the president’s visit…last week.”
The region, once the stronghold of Tamil guerillas during the civil war years, has seen travel restrictions relaxed since the end of conflict in 2009 and several small tourist hotels and guesthouses have sprung up.
Around eight per cent of tourists to Sri Lanka visit the north, mainly Jaffna, which is considered the regional capital.
However, military spokesman brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya, said the restriction is not a new development. “It has been there since the war ended in 2009. It was not relaxed but ‘less implemented’. It was never removed.”
Military sources say the tightening of security is due to concerns that rebels are regrouping to relaunch their movement.
