Travel question: Should we go ahead with Sri Lanka holiday plans?

Q My wife and I were on the brink of booking a big holiday to explore Sri Lanka in February 2020 when the news came through about the terrorist attacks.

What is your view of the wisdom to going to Sri Lanka? Should we choose somewhere else?

Johnny D

A On Easter Sunday, terrorists committed mass murder in Colombo and two other locations with a coordinated series of attacks that cost more than 300 lives. While the majority of the victims were local people, a significant number of tourists were also killed or injured in the tragedy.

As was the case with attacks in Bali, Egypt and Tunisia, one aim of the terrorists appears to be to damage the economy by frightening tourists away.

The Foreign Office has not put the island on the “no-go” list, but it warns: “Terrorists are very likely to carry out attacks in Sri Lanka. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.”

The Australian government, meanwhile, is telling its citizens to reconsider travel to Sri Lanka.

I believe the risks for tourists are tolerably low, and would happily travel to the country tomorrow to enjoy its warm welcome, fascinating heritage and superb scenery. But you have plenty of time to decide whether you wish to do so.

In your position I would start to firm up plans for Sri Lanka only in the new year. It is unlikely that you will be significantly disadvantaged in terms of higher prices or reduced choice. So regardless of how pressured you may feel to book now, I believe there is no point in committing until January – by which stage we will know more about security and risk on this beautiful yet tragic island.