Serious illness or injury require evacuation to nearest country where adequate medical facilities or treatment available, usually Thailand or Singapore. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including medical evacuation coverage, useful. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If bitten, seek medical advice without delay. Regard all water as potentially contaminated.
Some hotels have doctors.
Major military offensive in north in May 1997. Fighting has been intense. In Oct 1997 US designated LTTE a terrorist organization. In Jan 1998, Temple of Tooth in Kandy was bombed. Tourists or business representatives traveling in Sri Lanka who are in wrong place at wrong time may be caught up in random acts of violence.