The Department of Foreign Affairs has offered families of its staff at its High Commission in Colombo flights to return to Australia, with the Australian government encouraging Australians to strongly consider its travel advice warning that further terrorist attacks are likely in Sri Lanka.
The department’s offer extends to dependants of embassy staff and volunteers working under the Australian Volunteers International program.
A vast number of schools have been shut following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, with a large number of Australians including DFAT staff and their children having to restrict their daily movements.
The US also warned its citizens of further attacks, while Sri Lanka’s international airport increased security checks.
You can check DFAT’s travel advice for yourself at smarttraveller.gov.au, and for emergency consular assistance from within Australia you can call 1300 555 135.
If anything we have discussed today has affected you, there are services to help. You can contact Lifeline at anytime by calling 13 11 14, or visit lifeline.org.au.