COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Defense Ministry Wednesday announced new curbs on foreigners, including journalists, visiting the island’s former war zone and said the action was to protect “national security”.

Foreign passport-holders will require approval from the ministry if they want to travel to the battle-scarred northern province, military spokesman Brig. Ruwan Wanigasooriya said.

“We have information some foreigners are trying to cause discord among ethnic communities,” Wanigasooriya said in Colombo.

“When there’s a tremendous threat like that to our national security, we can’t just wait. We have to take action.” The new move came after foreigners were turned away from the northern province last Friday, ahead of a visit there by the president.