The warning was a part of the security message published on the embassy website yesterday (09).
The complete security message is as follows :
Security Message for U.S. Citizens in Sri Lanka
Date: December 9, 2014
Sri Lanka will hold presidential elections on January 8, 2015. The campaign will feature large public events and rallies. Political rallies and election campaigns in Sri Lanka have occasionally turned violent. U.S. citizens are reminded to avoid polling stations, large public gatherings, political rallies, and demonstrations. U.S. citizens are advised to monitor local media in case of public disturbances.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens living or traveling in Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives enroll with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll at the Embassy. U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "Traveler's Checklist," which includes valuable security information for those living and traveling abroad. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain the latest information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Colombo is located at 210 Galle Road. The telephone number is +94 11 249-8500. If you are an American citizen with an afterhours emergency, please call our hotline at: 077-725-6307. If you are unable to reach the duty officer on this number, please dial 011-249-8500. The fax number is +94 11 249-8501. The Consular Section's e-mail address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and here is the internet web page.
