This Public Announcement is being issued to urge American citizens to avoid travel to Sri Lanka and the Maldives due to the aftermath of lethal tsunamis. The Government of Sri Lanka has declared a state of national disaster. The Government of the Maldives has declared a state of emergency. This Public Announcement expires on January 25, 2005.

In Sri Lanka, many hotels along the southern and eastern coastal areas were damaged and are not operating normally. Tourists in coastal areas have been evacuated to hotels in Colombo.

In the Maldives, about half of the island of Male is covered in two feet of water. The Male airport remains closed.

Americans living or traveling in Sri Lanka and the Maldives are encouraged to register with the US. Embassy in Colombo through the State Department's travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, and 317-472-2328 from overseas.

Further Department of State travel information, including the complete text of the Consular Information Sheets for Sri Lanka and the Maldives is available at the Department of State's web site: http://travel.state.gov.