Saudi Arabia lifts travel ban on Sri Lanka

Saudi Arabia has lifted its travel ban on Sri Lanka which has been in place since 2008, allowing its citizens to visit the country.

The ban was issued following the escalation of fighting between government forces and the LTTE, particularly in the north and east of the country, the Information Department said quoting Arab News.. 

“We withdrew the travel advisory as the security situation in Sri Lanka has improved a great deal,” Deputy Chief of Mission at the Saudi Embassy in Colombo, Riyad Al-Kheneini had told Arab News. 

During the second half of 2009 Sri Lanka received around 5,400 Saudi tourists.