Sri Lanka

Recommended Vaccinations For Sri Lanka

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk from coming in close contact with infected persons or for unvaccinated, children under 16 years of age, who are going to live in Sri Lanka for more than 3 months.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Short-term travellers and those who restrict their visits to urban areas are at very low risk. Those at higher risk are travellers who visit or work in rural agricultural areas such as rice fields and marshland. Long-term travellers and expatriates are also at higher risk. Vaccination is recommended for persons at higher risk.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 9 months of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Recommended Medications For Sri Lanka

There are no recommendations for Sri Lanka at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Sri Lanka

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Sri Lanka.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Sri Lanka through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Japanese encephalitis

All areas are affected except the mountainous regions. The transmission season is October to January, with a secondary peak from May to June.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Sri Lanka, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 9 months of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Sri Lanka. Travellers to Sri Lanka are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Sri Lanka. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Sri Lanka

Personal Safety

Most travellers to Sri Lanka have no trouble. However, petty crime, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, or other theft does occur. Always be alert to your personal safety and security. There have been reports of theft from hotel rooms. Keep valuables secured and out of sight. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport. Avoid walking alone at night. Do not accept drinks or food from strangers and never leave your drinks out of your sight. There have been reports of drinks being spiked in bars in southern beach resorts.

Travel in a group if possible. Women should be vigilant about personal safety. Western women have reported verbal and physical harassment by men, particularly in crowded areas. Although most sexual assaults are against Sri Lankan women, attacks against foreign women are reported to be increasing, particularly in tourist areas.

There have been reports of violent crime, including murder and kidnapping, but mainly involving Sri Lankans. Some reports indicate an increase in serious crime against foreigners.

If possible, avoid using public bus transportation in Sri Lanka due to criminal activity. Also, bus drivers may not follow safe driving practices, and the buses are generally in poor condition and may be mechanically unsafe.

Most roads are in disrepair and drivers do not follow the rules of the road. Drivers may encounter unexpected roadblocks and checkpoints, and roads may be closed without notice.

Extreme Violence

There is a threat of terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka. Government buildings, places of worship, airports and other transportation hubs, public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and resorts, and other sites frequented by foreigners could be targeted.

Political Unrest

Political rallies in Sri Lanka can be unpredictable and have sometimes turned violent. Minimize safety risk by avoiding public and political gatherings and demonstrations since even peaceful protests can quickly and unexpectedly become violent. Violent protests began in Sri Lanka in 2022 following an economic crisis. The situation remains highly volatile with ongoing, sporadic protests and could escalate without notice. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Disruptions to telecommunications services, including mobile internet access, may occur during large-scale demonstrations.

Areas To Avoid

Exercise caution if travelling in the Eastern Province. Landmines could be a risk in some areas. Stay on main roads and watch for signs warning of landmines. Ethnic conflict can occur without warning in this area.

Northern Province: Military activities are ongoing in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, including Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna Districts. Marked and unmarked landmine fields are a risk in some areas. Stay on main roads and watch for signs warning of landmine areas.

Foreign nationals, with the exception of media crews, no longer need permission from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense to travel to the northern districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Mannar, and Vavuniya. However, there are ongoing military operations. For specific information about the accessibility of a particular area, contact the Sri Lankan Military Liaison Officer on +94 11 2430 860.