042219 – Sri Lanka bombings

The International Center wants to offer our deepest sympathy to any of you who have been affected by the terrorist attack in Sri Lanka this weekend.   Find resources available to you on-campus, and recommendations if you are in the area.

On-campus support resources for enrolled students and current employees

• The International Student Services Office. Their advising staff is available for student questions about making emergency trips home or other emergency immigration concerns.  For critical immigration emergency assistance outside of business hours, call the UT Dallas Police at 972 883 2222.
• The Student Counseling Center.  If you are a student in need of emotional support, staff from the Student Counseling Center is available during regular business hours, or utilize the after-hours crisis hotline at 972-UTD-TALK (972-883-8255).
• Employee Assistance Program. If you are an employee of UT Dallas seeking counseling help for yourself or a family member, you are eligible for the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Free and confidential services are available to assist you and your family with issues affecting home and/or work. For more information, visit the EAP website or call 214-648-5330.

If currently on-site on behalf of UT Dallas

If you have not registered your trip in International SOS, do so now

• Contact the University to let us know you are ok.
• Registration is automatic when using the University Contracted Travel Agencies.
• When using outside agencies for any or all portions of the trip, the traveler must submit their travel itinerary for registration.

Stay connected and aware of current developments

• Contact your loved ones to let them know you are okay.
• Monitor the media and local developments closely.
• Follow any instructions or advice issued by the local authorities.
• Contact your transport operator directly to check whether your service has been affected.
• Enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) if a U.S. Citizen.
• Report with your home country embassy at your destination if not a U.S. Citizen.
• Expect disruption to essential services such as power and water in the affected areas.
• Avoid all affected areas and minimize movement until the situation stabilizes.

Be prepared

• Anticipate disruption to road journeys and plan them accordingly.
• Reconfirm the status of routes and feasibility of journeys before travelling.
• Ensure you cell phone has a full charge as a general precaution.
• Be prepared to arrange alternate routes and modes of transportation as needed.
• Check your Personal Emergency Action Plan.
• To get Travel or Emergency Assistance, call ISOS 24/7 to  +1-215-942-8059.  Identify yourself as a UT Dallas faculty, staff or student.

Incidents such as this can shake anyone. If you need emotional support, please don’t hesitate to contact International SOS to request assistance.

If you have updated your travel itinerary, or have not registered it with International SOS, please register your travel itinerary in ISOS now.

From official sources

GOV.UK – On 21 April 2019 bombs were used to attack three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka, in central Colombo, and in the northern suburb of Colombo Kochchikade, and roughly twenty miles north of Colombo in Negombo and in the east of the country in Batticaloa. There have been significant casualties. If you are in Sri Lanka and you are safe, we advise that you contact family and friends to let them know that you are safe.

GOV.AU – Multiple bomb blasts occurred at different hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on 21 April, including in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa. Avoid all affected areas and minimise movement until the situation stabilises.  A nationwide police curfew has been declared from 8pm on Monday 22 April 2019 to 4am on Tuesday 23 April 2019. Follow the advice of local authorities and monitor the media for updates.

GC.CA – On April 21, 2019, several explosions occurred at different locations in the greater Colombo area and Batticaloa, including hotels and churches. There are several casualties. The situation remains volatile. Other attacks could occur throughout the country. Local authorities have temporarily blocked access to social media.

If you are in Sri Lanka:

• avoid the affected areas
• limit your movements
• allow extra time for increased security measures at airports
• be aware of your surroundings at all times
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• monitor local media to stay informed of the evolving situation

U.S. Department of State – Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to terrorism. Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

The risk information in this report is retrieved from the listed sources. It provides general guidance for UT Dallas travelers. Please note the publication date of this post, and go to the direct sources listed above for the most up-to-date information.  The information in this post may change without prior notice.