US Embassy issues health warning to travellers

The drug shortage in the country has pushed the United States Embassy to issue fresh warnings to its citizenry about travelling to Sri Lanka.

In an updated version of its travel advocacy under the heading health information it has cautioned travellers to carry their own medication when travelling around the country.

It further said that medical facilities outside Colombo is limited and even in the city of Colombo there were only six major hospitals and only three have emergency trauma services.

It warned that serious medical problems may require evacuation to the United States or to the nearest country, Thailand or Singapore where adequate treatment is available.

As such, it has urged travellers to take medical insurance that covers medical evacuation during a time of emergency, before travelling.