Sri Lanka
Travel Tips
LAND AND CLIMATE
The island nation of Sri Lanka sits fewer than 20 miles (32kilometers) off the coast of India.
Covering 25,332 square miles (65,610 square kilometers), it is slightly larger than West
Virginia. About 32 percent of the land is forested (down from 80 percent due to
deforestation). The north and east are flat and require irrigation to cultivate rice. The
nation's south-central region is mountainous. Tea, rubber, and coconut plantations dominate
the central mountains, although terraced rice paddies are not uncommon.
Note on Weather
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate; temperatures average 80°F (27°C) year-round. Highland
areas are cooler but also receive more rain than low land regions. Seasonal monsoons affect
the island. Sri Lanka’s Mannar district has a semi-arid climate. Temperatures are hot with a
daytime average between 90-100 °F (32-37 °C) and discomfort from humidity is high.
Average daytime temperature in Colombo, Kandy and Anuradhapura is between 80-90 °F
(26-32 °C) and you can expect evenings to be about 10 degrees cooler.
In general, Sri Lanka’s weather is tropical and hot. There is moderately high humidity,
especially high in the southwest and mountainous areas. There are two monsoons each year
– one in the northeast from December to March and one in the southwest from June to
October.
POPULATION & AREA
Population 21,513,990 (rank=55)
Area, sq. mi. 25,332 (rank=121)
Area, sq. km. 65,610
TIME DIFFERENCE
Sri Lanka Standard time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT. (Allowance should be made for
summer-time changes in Europe.)
THE PEOPLE
Population
Sri Lanka's population of 21.5 million is growing by 0.86 percent annually. Colombo, the
commercial capital and largest city, has two million inhabitants. The ethnic Sinhalese
constitute 74% of the population and are concentrated in the southwest. The Tamils are
divided into two groups: the Ceylon (also called Sri Lankan) Tamils (4%), whose ancestors
lived on the island for centuries, and the Indian Tamils (5%), whose ancestors were imported
during the British colonial era.
About 300,000 Tamils live outside of Sri Lanka; many are refugees either in India or the West.
Tamils live in the north, south-central, east areas and fairly spread all over the island
especially in Colombo city. Moors, who are locally called Muslims (since the Muslim
population is almost entirely Moors), comprise 7% of the population. Malays, Burghers, and
veddahs constitute about 1%. Burghers are descendants of Dutch and Portuguese colonists,
and Veddahs is a remnant of the island's original inhabitants.
Language
The nation's official languages are Sinhala and Tamil. The constitution also designates
English as a “link language,” or unifying language. It is widely spoken and is the primary
language of commerce. Sinhala is the primary official language. It is an Indo-European
language with roots in Sanskrit and Pali. Its written form is more formal than the spoken
version. Tamil belongs to the Dravidian group of languages.
Religion
Since the introduction of Buddhism by the Indian prince Mahinda, Sri Lanka has been a
stronghold of Theravada Buddhism, the more conservative branch of the religion. It is
practiced by nearly 70% of the population, primarily among the Sinhalese. Although freedom
of worship is guaranteed by the constitution, Buddhism has special status. About 7% of Sri
Lankans (mostly Tamils) are Hindus.
Many Buddhists also honor various Hindu deities. Tamil worship centers on the Hindu god
Shiva, but many gods exist in the hierarchy, each having a specific purpose. For instance,
women pray to Paththini for health and fertility; business professionals seek the blessings of
Kataragama (or Skanda); and students can receive help with their studies from Saraswathi
or Ganesh. Muslims comprise 8 percent of the population. Six percent of Sri Lankans are
Christians.
General Attitudes
Sri Lankans are friendly and have relatively open attitudes. They value their ethnic and
religious identity, loyalty to one's group, and respect for others. Ethnic divisions run deep,
and few people socialize outside of their respective groups. The two greatest values in
society are the family and education. Family members help one another and are close-knit.
Parents will sacrifice or work all their lives to provide their children with as much education
as possible. Nearly all young people desire a good education. Teachers and persons with a
university degree are highly respected in society. Material wealth is also desired, and people
are willing to work hard to obtain it. The wealthy, especially those who have become
successful in private business, are respected, but in a different way than educated people are.
In other words, family and education are still more important than money. The traditional
caste system that once dominated society is fading in public life. Most Sri Lankans do not
discuss it, and being from a lower caste usually does not limit one's economic or political
mobility. For religious ceremonies, certain castes perform certain functions.
Personal Appearance
Sri Lankans take great pride in their appearance; it is rare to see a person not wearing clean
and pressed clothes when away from home. Although the youth and people in cities wear
Western-style clothing, traditional forms of dress remain popular. Women may wear a tight
blouse and a saree, a wraparound dress that reaches to the ankles. The saree is made from a
very long piece of fabric. It is draped over the shoulder and wrapped at the waist in a way
that creates tailoring without being sewn. Women also wear a redda (a wraparound skirt
that is tucked at the waist) with a hatte (blouse) that leaves the midriff bare.
Traditional attire for men may include loose-fitting trousers combined with a long shirt that
reaches to mid-thigh. The shirt has long, loose sleeves and buttons to the neck. Men might
also wear a sarong (a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist, sometimes held by a belt or
lunghi) that reaches to the ankles. An urban man is unlikely to wear a sarong in public, but
often changes into one after arriving home. In rural areas, the sarong is used for everyday
public attire.
CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES
Greetings
Forms of greeting vary between ethnic groups. The traditional greeting of placing one's
palms together in front of the chest and bowing the head slightly is widely practiced. In
formal circumstances, this is accompanied by the Sinhalese phrase “Ayubowan” or
“Vannakkam” in Tamil, both terms mean “May you be blessed with the gift of a long life.” The
Muslim greeting “Al-salām ʿalaykum” (Peace be upon you) is common. Men often shake
hands with men while greeting, but they do not touch women in public.
Titles are important to Sri Lankans, even among close friends. Acquaintances and strangers
use the more formal equivalents of “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” and “Miss.” If one is speaking English, the
title precedes the surname; otherwise, it follows the name. Colleagues might use the title
with a given name. Among close friends and relatives, familial titles replace formal titles. For
example, in Sinhala one addresses an older male friend as “aiya” (older brother), a younger
female cousin as “nangi” (younger sister), and so on. It is common (even among those who
do not speak English) to address an older man or woman as uncle or auntie.
Gestures
Sri Lankans use the right hand for passing objects and eating. The left hand is reserved for
personal hygiene. People use both hands when giving and receiving gifts; a gift presented
with only one hand is not given wholeheartedly. To express sincere or gracious giving of any
object, one can touch the right forearm with the left hand while giving with the right. Men
often hold hands in public, but it is improper for members of the opposite sex to do so.
Women are forbidden to touch a Buddhist monk. The head is considered the most sacred
part of the body; the bottoms of the feet are the least sacred. Sri Lankans do not generally
touch another's head, though they may pat a child's head in encouragement. Greater taboos
are associated with the feet. Sri Lankans do not use a foot to point at anything and they
refrain from placing feet on chair bottoms or coffee tables. Pointing with the index finger is
impolite. One beckons with the hand held at head level, palm facing out, and all fingers
waving together. People remove their shoes before entering Buddhist temples or Hindu
shrines. Wagging or tilting the head from side to side indicates agreement. Shaking it gently
during conversation means one is listening. However, shaking it firmly with the mouth
closed can mean “no.”
Dating and Marriage
Dating in the Western sense is not common in Sri Lanka. Boys and girls get to know each
other mostly through school, but interacting in groups is becoming more acceptable. If a
young couple begins a serious relationship, they are expected to eventually marry. Such
couples do go out to parks and so forth, but not always with the knowledge of their parents.
More and more people are choosing their own mates, especially in urban areas, but arranged
marriages are still common. Sexual purity is an essential part of the marriage contract on the
part of the woman. Marriage between members of different ethnic groups is socially
unacceptable. The timing of various wedding events—when the parties arrive, hold the
ceremony, sign papers, leave, arrive at their new home—is governed by astrology.
WHEN PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Visa Requirements
What is a Sri Lankan Visa?
A Sri Lankan visa is an endorsement on a passport or a similar document to facilitate the
legal entry of non Sri Lankans into the country and to regulate the period of their stay and
the conditions governing such stay.
What are the Types Of Sri Lankan Visas?
There are four kinds of visas which permit a person to enter and/or stay in Sri Lanka.
Visit Visa - A Visit Visa is an entry permit signifying the consent of the Sri Lankan Government
for the admission of a foreign national to the country. The Visa contains details of the period
of time and the condition/s of the stay. There are two sub-categories which come under visit
visas –
Tourist Visit Visa - A Tourist Visa is issued to bona-fide tourists who want to enter Sri Lanka
for sightseeing, excursions, relaxation, visit relatives or yoga training for a short period of
time.
Business Visit Visa - A Business Visa is issued to foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka for
business purposes for short periods of time. This visa may be issued for single, double or
multiple journeys.
Department of Immigration and Emigration
"Suhurupaya", Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla.
Hotline : 1962
Phone : 94-11-5329000 Hunting Line
Fax
: 94-11-2674621
E-Mail : controller[at]immigration.gov.lk
Web Site: www.immigration.gov.lk
General Note on Clothing
The key to clothing is lightweight and layers. Hotels will be able to do laundry for you, but
remember this is at your own risk. Cotton clothes are useful at any time of the year but you
will need light woolens for the hills and waterproof clothing or an umbrella. Modest dress
for women is advisable especially off the beach and when visiting religious sites. Don't forget
comfortable shoes, sandals or trainers and cotton socks. If you are planning to trek and climb
go prepared with suitable gear. Water sports enthusiasts would do well to take their snorkels
and diving equipment along.
Additionally, please bring modest clothing that covers the knees and shoulders. For visiting
religious places we ask not to wear shorts, tank tops. and low necklines.
Packing List Recommendations
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Casual and cotton outfits are recommended and light woollens. Dress comfortably for
walking and long days of traveling. Bathing suit since most hotels will have pools
Closed-toe shoes/ sandals or slippers with good grip
Sunglasses, hat, lip balm, unscented sunscreen, and any sun-protectant you normally
use.
Basic toiletries. It is not customary to wear a lot of make-up in this region.
Toilet paper or tissue to carry with you. Handy wipes or hand disinfectant
Small travel medical kit with typical items such as painkillers, Insect repellent,
Prescribed Medicine, lip balm, sanitary napkins or tampons
SRI LANKAN CURRENCY
Foreign Currency Regulations
Visitors to Sri Lanka bringing in more than US$10,000 should declare the amount to the
Customs on arrival. All unspent rupees converted from foreign currencies can be reconverted to the original currency on departure as long as encashment receipts can be
produced.
Currency Notes
The local currency is Sri Lankan Rupee, divided into 100 cents (you rarely come across
scents today). Currency notes are Rs.5,000, Rs2,000, Rs1,000, Rs500, Rs100, Rs50, Rs20
and Rs10 and Coins, should you have receive them, will be in denominations up to Rs10 (Rs
10, Rs 5, Rs 2, Rs1).
To check whether notes are genuine when not given at a bank, look for a lion watermark.
Make sure you have plenty of lower denomination notes (Rs50, Rs100, Rs500), especially
when travelling and you need to buy small items, fruit, and eat cheap meals, because
change is often hard to come by apart from at hotels and big shops.
Banks
Banks are open from 0900 hrs to 1500 hours Monday to Friday. Some city banks close at
1900 hrs, while some are open on Saturday mornings. It’s easy to withdraw money across
the island at ATMs using international credit cards or debit cards.
Credit Cards
Most hotels, restaurants and shopping centers accept credit cards. Some establishments
may try to add a surcharge, which is illegal.
Electricity
230 . 240 volts, 50 cycles AC.
PHOTOGRAPHY, RESTRICTIONS & PERMITS
Sri Lanka is a photographer’s delight. The stunning landscapes, the captivating fauna and
lush flora, and the stupendous archaeological remains provide great opportunities: a bonus
is that Sri Lankans love to be captured on film. So it’s easy to capture the traditional rural
lifestyle. You’ll find villagers, farmers, fishermen and tea pluckers will readily stand in front
of your viewfinder. Your subjects will often ask to have a copy of picture sent to them. This
may be laborious, but it is a reasonable courtesy as many may never have seen a picture of
themselves. It is also understandable that many will also expect a token recompense for
allowing themselves to be photographed.
Restrictions
Permits are required before you can take photos at certain sites. There are some important
restrictions that apply to photography regarding Buddhist imagery. When you visit a
temple or other religious site, remember that photography should not be carried out in a
manner causing disrespect. For instance, it is strictly forbidden to be photographed in front
of or beside any statues and murals. Note that flash photography can damage old murals.
Tourists who wish to visit and or photograph the principal ancient monuments in Sri Lanka
are required to purchase a ticket from the
Central Cultural Fund,
212/1 Bauddhaloka Mawatha
Colombo 7
Phone +94-1-258 7912 +94-1-250 0732
Fax +94-1-2500 731
E-mail [email protected]
Website
http://www.ccf.lk/
Central Cultural Fund offices at Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Kandy.
A single round ticket for two months validity costs US$50 and will entitle you to visit and
photograph historic monuments such
as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Nalanda,Ritigala, Medirigiriya. There are
separate charges at each site for those who do not obtain round tickets.
Customs and Exporting
You are allowed to bring into the country duty free 1.5 liters of spirits, two bottles of wine,
a quarter-liter of toilet water, and a small quantity of perfume and souvenirs with a value
not exceeding US $250. The import of personal equipment such as cameras and laptop
computers is allowed but must be declared on arrival. However, personal equipment must
be taken out of the country upon the visitor’s departure. The import of non-prescription
drugs and pornography of any form is an offence.
Sri Lanka Customs : www.customs.gov.lk
Exports
On leaving the country you are allowed to export up to 10kg of tea duty free.
No antiques defined as anything more than 50-years-old - rare books, palm-leaf
manuscripts and anthropological material can be exported without permission from the
Director,
National Archives,
7 Reid Avenue,
Colombo -07.
Tel: +94-11 2694523/ 2696917
www.archives.gov.lk
And the
Director General,
Department of Archaeology,
Sir Marcus Fernando Mw,
Colombo
Tel : +94 11 2692840/1
Tel. +94-11-2694727, +94-11-2667155 ,
www.archaeology.gov.lk.
Purchase and export without license of any wild animal, bird or reptile, dead or alive parts
of animals, birds or reptiles, such as skins, horns, scales and feathers is prohibited.
Occasional exports are, however, permitted exclusively for bona fide scientific purposes. It
is prohibited to export of 450 plant species without special permits. The export of coral,
shells or other protected marine products is also strictly prohibited.
Applications for special permission to export fauna should be made to the
Director,
Address: 811/A Jayanthipura Main Rd,
Battaramulla 10120
Phone: 011 2 888585
And flora should be made to the
Director,
Forest Department,
82, Rajamalwatta Road,
Battaramulla,
Tel : + 94 11 28666 16/ 2866632
www.environmentlanka.com
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
The health risks in Sri Lanka are different to those encountered in Europe and North
America. Watch out for bowel diseases such as diarrhea and amoebic dysentery, vector
borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, and a variety of fungal infections. Sri
Lankans physicians, though, many of whom have trained in the West, are particularly
experienced in dealing with locally occurring diseases.
Before you go
No inoculations are compulsory unless you are coming from a yellow fever or cholera area.
(Cholera is very occasionally reported in Sri Lanka, so is not considered a serious risk.)
However, the following vaccinations are recommended, particularly if you plan a long trip
or intend visiting remote areas:
Typhoid (monovalent), Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies
Children should, in addition, be protected against:
diphtheria, whooping cough, mumps, measles, rubella
Remember to plan well ahead with vaccinations. Allow up to six weeks to receive the full
course, for some vaccinations require more than one dose, and some should not be given
together.
The risk of malaria exists throughout the whole country apart from the districts of
Colombo, Kalutara and Nuwara Eliya. Medication has to start one week prior to travel,
continue during the trip, and finish four weeks after your return. Once again, planning is
essential, as well as care to ensure the course is followed.
When you are there
Stomach
As most stomach upsets are due to the unsanitary preparation of food, it is useful to know
what to watch out for. Under-cooked fish (especially shellfish) and meat (especially pork
and mince) can be hazardous. Salads can be risky unless purified water has been used to
wash the various vegetables. Fruit that has already been peeled should be avoided. Be
careful of ice cream, in particular the varieties sold by street vendors and served at cheap
restaurants. Sometimes there are power outages Sri Lanka, especially away from urban
centers, so it pays to be suspicious of all refrigerated foods if you know there has been a
recent outage in your area.
Water
Tap water is not safe to drink, and boiling and filtering is sometimes done too hastily in
some hotels and restaurants, so the best solution is to drink bottled water. There are now
many brands available, mostly using spring water from the highlands of the island. Make
sure that the bottle carries an SLS certification and that the seal is broken only in your
presence. Beware of ice unless you are satisfied it has not been made from tap water, and
remember the tap water you may be tempted to use to rinse out your mouth after brushing
your teeth is unsafe. Keep a bottle of water in your bathroom for this purpose.
Sunburn
When you flop onto the beach or poolside lounger for a spot of sunbathing, always
remember to apply a sunscreen product with a sun protection factor of at least 15.
Remember you are just 600km from the equator. Even with sunscreen, your sunbathing
should be limited in time. If you don't apply sunscreen you are liable to become so
sunburnt that it will be painful to move, your skin will peel, you will have to start afresh to
get that tan, and most importantly you put yourself at risk of serious dermatological
disease.
Heatstroke
Sometimes those who have spent too long in the sun suffer what is termed heatstroke, the
most common form being caused by dehydration. This condition can occur if the body's
heat-regulating mechanism becomes weakened and the body temperature rises to unsafe
levels. The symptoms are a high temperature - yet a lack of sweat - a flushed skin, severe
headache, and impaired coordination. In addition, the sufferer may become confused. If you
think someone has heatstroke, take that person out of the sun, cover their body with a wet
sheet or towel, and seek medical advice. To avoid heatstroke, take plenty of bottled water
to the beach, or buy a thambili(king coconut) from an itinerant seller.
Prickly Heat
Prickly heat rash occurs when your sweat glands become clogged after being out in the
heat for too long or from excessive perspiration. The rash appears as small red bumps or
blisters on elbow creases, groin, upper chest or neck. To treat it, take a cold shower, clean
the rash with mild soap, dry yourself, apply hydrocortisone cream, and if possible, a
product that contains salicylic acid. Repeat every three hours.
Local Health Care
Minor health problems can always be treated by doctors with practices in the resorts and
elsewhere in the country. If you have a more serious problem, Colombo now boasts a
selection of modern, well-equipped private hospitals offering the latest in conventional
medical and surgical therapies. A growing number of foreigners are taking advantage of
affordable, high quality private healthcare in Sri Lanka, and combining it with the chance to
take a holiday. Though the medical tourism industry in Sri Lanka is still in its early days, a
number of private hospitals in Colombo are geared to provide advanced surgery and other
treatment to international clients
(link to Medical Tourism article)
Travelers with special needs
Travellers with special needs, especially if they visit Sri Lanka without a companion, should
note that the country has relatively few facilities for disabled people, although greater
awareness and improvements are evolving. There’s no need to worry at
Colombo's Airport as wheelchairs and assistance in boarding and disembarking are
available. Buildings, offices, and banks are becoming better-equipped with wheelchair
ramps and suchlike. If you aren’t travelling with a companion, you'll find that Sri Lankans ill
be only too eager to assist.
OTHERS
Public Places
You may sometimes be overwhelmed by crowds of people in public places (railway
stations, markets, bus stands, temples or simply busy streets). "Touts" and hawkers may
jostle and push and clamour to show you a hotel and sell you things. Taxis and three wheelers are often there when you do not need them.
Safety
In general the threats to personal security for travellers in Sri Lanka are remarkably small.
It is more pleasant to travel with a companion as it is advised not to travel alone especially
after dark. The island including the North and East is safe to visit. If you have anything
stolen, report it to the tourist Police, a Special Tourist Police set up to look after the
needs of the tourists. Contact tel Number + 94 11 2382209
Drinks
Sri Lankan ‘Ceylon’ tea is prepared as in the West and coffee too. There are a huge variety
of bottled soft drinks, including well-known international brands. Thambili ( king coconut
water )is a safe and refreshing option. Local beer and spirits are widely available. Bottled
mineral water is available in 5 star hotels. Please note: Alcohol is not sold on Poya (fullmoon day of the month) days and on some special days.
A Note from Abzolute
Holidays is required here.