Sri Lanka combines business travel, development work and field operations in a country where conditions can vary by region and by type of assignment.
Specialist insurance for NGOs, journalists, contractors, researchers and business teams whose work still requires them to travel where standard insurance may be too basic for the reality on the ground.
What's included
Designed for non-combatants working in environments where standard insurance often fails to reflect the reality on the ground.
Sri Lanka is not one uniform operating environment.
The real demands of the trip may come from field travel, distance, local infrastructure or the practical difficulty of getting support quickly outside major centres. Specialist cover helps ensure the policy reflects the truth of the work and provides a clearer route to support if something goes wrong.
Country context
The situation
Sri Lanka emerged from a devastating economic crisis in 2022-2023, which resulted in the president's resignation and significant civil unrest. The country has been receiving IMF support and has stabilised somewhat, but economic pressures remain, the ethnic Tamil community's political and justice concerns remain unresolved, and the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings demonstrated that Islamist terrorism can affect the country.
The civil war between government forces and the LTTE ended in 2009, but northern and eastern Sri Lanka still bear the scars of the conflict including unresolved displacement, unexploded ordnance and justice grievances. The Tamil political question remains politically sensitive.
For non-combatants working in Sri Lanka — humanitarian organisations, development workers and media — the current environment is more stable than during the conflict period. However, economic instability, political volatility and the unresolved ethnic question create ongoing risk that specialist insurance should account for.
What to watch
Why it can be challenging
Political instability and civil unrest potential
Sri Lanka's 2022 crisis showed how quickly political stability can deteriorate. Economic pressures, ethnic politics and external shocks can destabilise the country rapidly, as demonstrated by the government collapse.
Islamist terrorism risk following 2019 Easter Sunday attacks
The 2019 Easter Sunday bombings killed over 260 people. Sri Lanka's Muslim community has radicalised elements and the country remains a potential target for Islamist terrorism.
UXO contamination in former conflict zones
Northern and eastern Sri Lanka contain UXO from the civil war. Field operations in these areas require demining awareness and should not take place without local expertise.
Natural disaster risk from monsoon flooding and tsunamis
Sri Lanka is vulnerable to Indian Ocean tsunamis (2004 demonstrated the scale of this risk) and annual flooding. Field operations during monsoon season require appropriate contingency planning.
Can you get insurance for Sri Lanka?
We provide specialist insurance for non-combatants travelling to Sri Lanka for professional and operational reasons.
Cover depends on where you are going, what you are doing and the operating conditions likely to affect the trip.
Why this matters in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is not one uniform operating environment. The real demands of the trip may come from field travel, distance, local infrastructure or the practical difficulty of getting support quickly outside major centres.
Specialist cover matters because it helps ensure the policy reflects the truth of the work and provides a clearer route to support if something goes wrong.
Practical relevance
Cover for teams working in field locations outside the capital where infrastructure, transport and medical access may be more limited.
Professional travel into areas where conditions vary significantly from those in the main urban centres.
Support for contractors and business teams whose assignments require site visits or field exposure across the country.
Cover for medical costs and care coordination where an incident occurs during travel or field operations.
Support for situations where the geographical or logistical challenges of the location affect the response time and route.
Emergency support
NGS provides 24/7 support, including coordination of treatment, evacuation and onward care.
This helps ensure there is a clear route to support if the situation becomes more difficult than expected.
Continuity
Yes. Eligible personal accident benefits can continue after you return to your country of domicile, subject to the policy terms.
That helps provide continuity if the impact of an incident continues after you leave the country.
Exclusions
Being clear about exclusions helps buyers know exactly what this policy is for and where separate cover may be needed.
This policy is designed to protect people, not possessions.
Cover not included
Activity exclusions
Property exclusions
These covers can be arranged separately if required.
Threat intelligence
For a deeper understanding of the current situation, including operational risks and regional dynamics, see our threat intelligence hub.
Common questions
Register in minutes to access your quotes, manage policies, and activate cover. Or use the quick quote widget to get an indicative price immediately.
Cover by profession
Already have an account? Sign in
Quick Quote
Fill in the details below and we'll show you the cost. No account needed to see a price.
Couldn't load occupations.