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Sri Lanka Attacks: The Latest Information Travelers Should Know

April 23, 2019
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3 min read
SRI LANKA-ATTACKS
Sri Lanka Attacks: The Latest Information Travelers Should Know
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Two days after hotels and churches in Sri Lanka were targeted in a series of bombings that killed more than 300 people on Easter Sunday, officials in the capital city, Colombo, were warned to look out for vehicles carrying explosives on Tuesday.

"All police stations in the Sri Lankan capital ... have been advised to be on high alert for a truck and van suspected to be carrying explosives," CNN reported Tuesday morning, citing a spokesperson for the Colombo police.

Per police orders on Tuesday, "Anyone parking a car on the street and leaving unattended must put a note with their phone number on the windscreen," the AP reported.

On Monday, a booby-trapped van was discovered and detonated by authorities near one of the churches that was attacked by suicide bombers on Sunday, St. Anthony's Shrine, according to CNN.

Security measures have been tightened across the country. Post offices are no longer accepting prewrapped packages, and military officials were also given, "war time powers," according to the AP, as Sri Lanka was put under a state of emergency Tuesday.

The US Department of State issued a new travel warning on Sri Lanka due to the threat of terrorism. "Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka," the warning states. "Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets [and] shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports and other public areas."

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The State Department's travel alert on Sri Lanka is "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution" out of a possible four levels. Many countries popular with US tourists have a Level 2 warning for various reasons. These countries include the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, France, Mexico and Spain.

Despite the persistent threats, flights to and from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) are operating as scheduled. But many airlines are urging passengers departing CMB to arrive at least four hours before their flight departure time due to heightened security.

For example, Emirates issued the following warning to passengers: "Due to heightened security measures at Bandaranaike International Airport, Emirates urges its passengers in Sri Lanka to arrive at the airport at least four hours before their flight departure this week."

And several airlines that fly into Sri Lanka have been offering travel waivers, so that passengers can change or cancel their flights without fees. The following airlines are among those that have issued some form of travel waiver for Sri Lanka: AirAsia, Air India, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, IndiGo, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.

If you don't see your airline listed but are still interested in changing or cancelling your upcoming flight to Sri Lanka, it might be worth contacting the credit card company with which you booked the tickets to see if the travel protection coverage would apply.

Featured image by AFP/Getty Images

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.