Travel warning issued

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is warning Australians of the danger of travelling to Sri Lanka after Tamil rebels forced the closure of the island's main international airport.

A departmental advisory issued yesterday said flights may be diverted to The Maldives and India.

"We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Sri Lanka at this time because of ongoing civil unrest, the volatile security situation and the very high risk of terrorist attacks," the advisory said.

"Attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Sri Lanka.

"Australians could inadvertently become victims of violence directed at others, in particular Sri Lankan government and military targets."

Source: AAP