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IRISH HOLIDAYMAKERS WHO may be in or travelling Sri Lanka are being urged to be aware of travel restrictions and a curfew following yesterday’s series of bomb attacks.
At least 290 people were killed in the attacks which targeted churches and hotels on Easter Sunday.
No Irish citizens are believed to be among the dead or injured but at least 39 tourists were killed. These included citizens of the UK, Turkey, Portugal and the US.
The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK has said that eight British nationals were killed in the attacks.
The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday updated its travel advice with relation to Sri Lanka, urging Irish citizens to “exercise a high degree of caution”.
There is no Irish embassy in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo but citizens can contact the Honorary Consulate or the Irish Embassy in India.
“Travellers should be aware that travel restrictions and curfews are in place across the island causing disruptions to travel plans,” the Department of Foreign Affairs has said.
The night-time curfew is in place today from 8pm local time (3.30pm Irish time) until tomorrow morning at 4am.
The US State Department is among those that have warned about the potential for further attacks following yesterday’s carnage, adding: “Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka.”
Earlier today, a blast hit near a church in Sri Lanka’s capital as police tried to defuse a new bomb found by the site.
There was no immediate information on injuries in the blast, or how large it was but the explosion happened around 50 metres from the St Anthony’s Shrine, one of three churches targeted yesterday.
In a statement yesterday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney made reference to the targeting of worshippers.
“Ireland strongly supports everyone’s freedom of religion and belief. Attacks such as those in Sri Lanka today and in Christchurch and elsewhere are a challenge to us all to do everything that we can to defend that right. Places of worship must be places of peace, free from fear,” Coveney said.
In regards to Irish travellers who may be in Sri Lanka, the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has provided advice about dealing with potential disruption.
“Travellers should be aware that travel restrictions and curfews are in place across the island causing disruptions to travel plans. If you are affected you should contact your tour operator or travel accommodation provider,” the ITAA said in a statement.
The airport is still operating but there are increased security to measures in place. Some airlines are advising travellers to arrive early for check-in in order to allow time for security screening. There is a national curfew in place, but passengers are still able to travel to the airport, providing you have both a passport and ticket valid for travel that day.
Irish travellers who require consular assistance or family members who are concerned about loved ones can contact the Honorary Consulate in Colombo on +94 (11) 258 7895, the Embassy New Delhi at +911149403200 or the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin on +35314082000.
- With reporting by © – AFP 2019
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The article mentions that there is no Irish embassy in Colombo, and that the nearest one is in Delhi.
It would also be important to mention that in such a situation when your own embassy isn’t present in a country, EU citizens can get assistance from the embassy of any EU state. Might be a lot easier seeking help from the French or British embassy, than from an Irish embassy a few thousand kilometres away. Might not be. But worth knowing all the same.
Yet again an article notable by the absence of the words “Catholic” or “Christian”.
Pathetic.
@Garry Coll: don’t think you need to get triggered by this. The article is just addressing Irish tourists at a time where terrorist attacks are going on throughout the country.
@Garry Coll: Yet again another whinger. What is actually up with you guys? Have you an agenda or something?
@Garry Coll: feel for you.
@Nathan Mawhinney: apologist muppet
@Paul Furey: just wondering what Muslim countries has Sri Lanka bombed?
@Ben Moylan: you’re a snowflake Ben, please get over it.
@Garry Coll: https://archive.org/details/Screenshot20190422220402YouTube
Even the Obama’s have difficulty saying Christian. Anyone who is a Christian must see exactly what is going on.
@Garry Coll: Why does that matter??
Sri Lanka, have visited, lovely people , lovely country, had their own tragedies with Tamil War etc, don’t need the religion of “love and peace” causing mayhem there
@Angry_Man41: It’s a religion of peace, but only to the Muslims
Travellers changed to tourists in the headline and my comment deleted. Does nobody proof these headlines?
@Hugh Jass: nobody proof reads, just copy and paste from AFP!
To the Islamic apologists ,just wondering what Muslim countries has Sri Lanka bombed?
What was it that Obama and Clinton called the victims, “Easter worshippers”..never heard of those. Pair of clowns
@Candace: you mean this https://archive.org/details/20190422223604
and this
https://archive.org/details/Screenshot20190422220402YouTube
@Dathi O Nualláin: Obama and that Clinton witch are pigs
Situations like this remind me of how important our army actually is, imagine how much help our peacekeepers could provide these people
Lots of tourists go to Sri Lanka … bet this will stop them.
@Adolf Galland:
Not me. I was planning on going soon. I still definitely will.
Lots of tourists go to Sri Lanka looking for underage how’s your father, bet this will stop them.
@Adolf Galland: I’ve been to Sri Lanka many times and it is nothing like that, Thailand and some other Asian countries I agree but not Sri Lanka. Amazing people
Deer God
@Rachel Didleu: Oh deer!
@Rachel Didleu: All Hail the Deer God
Lots of 5ex tourists go to Sri Lanka, bet this will stop them.
Lots of tourists go to Sri Lanka looking for … bet this will stop them.
Lots of sex tourists go to Sri Lanka, bet this will stop them.
@Adolf Galland:
Surf Tourism, the Sex Pests go to Thailand and Philippines mainly.
have your say