{"id":5657,"date":"2023-02-15T09:33:41","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T09:33:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/?p=5657"},"modified":"2023-02-16T08:20:43","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T08:20:43","slug":"misleading-claims-being-spread-regarding-the-nz-governments-travel-advisories-on-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srilanka.factcrescendo.com\/english\/misleading-claims-being-spread-regarding-the-nz-governments-travel-advisories-on-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"Has New Zealand Imposed Travel Advisory Against Visiting Sri Lanka? Find out the Facts\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Daily Mirror newspaper reported a few days ago that New Zealand updated its travel advisory status against visiting Sri Lanka and requested that New Zealand nationals exercise “increased caution” in the island nation of Sri Lanka if they wish to travel to Sri Lanka. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Factcrescendo Team found this to be misleading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Daily Mirror Said<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Below is the extract from the news report by Daily Mirror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Zealand updates travel advisory against visiting SL<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“New Zealand updated this week its travel advisory for its citizens who are looking to visit Sri Lanka, directing them to exercise increased caution. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Updating its advisory on February 1, the country placed Sri Lanka in level two of four. It pointed out that New Zealanders should exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to the impacts of the economic crisis, the potential for civil unrest, and risk of terrorism. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We advise New Zealanders in Sri Lanka to avoid protests, demonstrations, political rallies and events, large crowds, and queues. Comply with any instructions issued by the local authorities, including any curfews. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monitor local and international media, review personal security plans, and be aware of your surroundings,” the New Zealand government said in its update. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it didn’t directly state the reason for the sudden issuing of a tightened advisory, it is likely Sri Lanka was placed in a higher risk category for travel due to the protest expected on the 75th Independence Day celebration.  Several sections of the Sri Lankan community, including political parties, shared they would host black flags to protest the planned Independence Day celebrations.<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daily Mirror<\/a> | Archived<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What We Found…<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We checked the news reports of any other mainstream media in New Zealand or Sri Lanka about a decision from New Zealand High Commission in Colombo to update their travel advisory on Sri Lanka to warn New Zealanders against traveling to Sri Lanka. However, we couldn’t find any particular reports highlighting such a concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hence we contacted the New Zealand High Commissioner’s Office in Colombo, which stated the report was misleading and directed to the social media posts by the NZ high commissioner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a Tweet, New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Michael Appleton, said the report is inaccurate. He adds that “The Daily Mirror report also erroneously claims that our travel advice for Sri Lanka has recently been “tightened” (the advice level has remained the same for months) and that changes to the language in the travel advice were related to Independence Day (they were not).<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The entire Tweet thread by NZ High Commissioner can be found here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Yesterday, @Dailymirror_SL<\/a> printed an inaccurate story claiming \ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddff had issued travel advice advising Kiwis against travelling to \ud83c\uddf1\ud83c\uddf0. This is untrue.

While the paper has printed some of our rebuttal, I reproduce the full statement we supplied below.\ud83e\uddf5https:\/\/t.co\/2hLgv7MT09<\/a><\/p>— Michael Appleton (@michelappleton) February 5, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>