Sri Lanka - Situation in the North

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jaemmerson
jaemmerson

Hi All,

I'm heading to Sri Lanka in a few days and was hoping to see as much of the country as possible, but I'm guessing this may be a bit difficult since the Tamil defeat.

Specifically, I would like to know:

  1. How much of the country remains out of bounds?

  2. How difficult would it be to visit some of the northern regions?

  3. What are the attitudes towards the conflict among ordinary Sri Lankans (i.e. would it be a bit of a social taboo to want to see Tamil areas)?

Please - useful answers only; I have searched already but haven't found what I'm after. I understand the risks, I only want to find out how feasible/unfeasible heading north would be at present.

Many thanks!

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jaliyaj
jaliyaj

While the war was officially done a few months ago, it's still grim up north.

While they've just begun civilian bus services to the North from Colombo, foreigners cannot go past the Medawachchiya checkpoint without clearance.

I think most Sri Lankans are waiting to visit the north so there wouldn't be taboos as such. It is almost a point of pride that visiting there is now possible for any Sri Lankan regardless of ethnicity.

But I wouldn't say visiting would be possible for at least 6 months more.

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jaemmerson
jaemmerson

Thanks Jaliyaj, that's really useful. Any ideas what would pass as clearance? And do you know if it would be possible to get as far as Trincomalee?

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jaliyaj
jaliyaj

Currently, to enter the North proper (ie north of Vavuniya http://www.maplandia.com/sri-lanka/northern/vavuniya/) if you're a foreigner, you need to be working with an NGO/INGO (eg UN Oxfam Sarvodaya etc) and have a reason to be there, generally related to IDP relief.

This clearance has to be obtained from the Ministry of Defence.

However, as Trincomalee (http://www.maplandia.com/sri-lanka/eastern/trincomalee/) is actually in the eastern province, no such clearance is required as the conflict was completed in Trinco over one year ago.

In fact, I went there three months ago for a 4 day holiday. Hotels you can stay at include Nilaveli Beach Hotel (http://www.tangerinehotels.com/nilavelibeach/index.htm), Lotus Park Trinco (with beach chalets) and Club Oceanic (http://www.chaayahotels.com/nhotelo.cfm?hid=Club%20Oceanic).

I blogged about my stay at Nilaveli Beach Hotel in Trincomalee on my site.

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jaemmerson
jaemmerson

Jaliyaj, thanks so much! That answers my question fully.

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