Sri Lanka Travel Guide

Language

Most people speak Sinhala, which is the national and official language. Tamil is also spoken, and English is spoken at most tourist establishments.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR), which is divided into 100 cents. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and travelers checks in US Dollars are recommended. ATMs are becoming more common, but outside the main cities they are unlikely to accept international cards. Credit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureau de change, banks and hotels, but exchanging cash is more expensive than exchanging travelers checks. Banks are closed on Sundays.

109.5700

Time

Local time is GMT +5.30.

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round, three-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international country dialing code for Sri Lanka is +94. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City or area codes are in use, e.g. (0)11 for Central Colombo. International direct dial facilities are available in Colombo and other major cities. Mobile phone operators provide GSM 900/1800 frequency networks with coverage across all the main parts of the island. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Sri Lanka over 18 years do not have to pay duty on the following items :2 bottles wine and 1.5 liters spirits; perfume up to 59ml and 250ml eau de toilette; and souvenirs to the value of US$250; 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars and 340g of tobacco. For family members traveling together free import applies for two members. Passengers must declare personal effects to ensure free export when they arrive in Sri Lanka. Restricted items include firearms, ammunitions, explosives and weapons, plants, fruits, birds and by-products, medication (unless it is for personal use), and goods for commercial purposes. Prohibited items include drugs or narcotics, pornographic material, and material that ridicules religious belief systems.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Tourism, Colombo: +94 11 242 6900 or www.srilankatourism.org

Embassies in Sri Lanka

• United States Embassy, Colombo: +94 (0)11 249 8500.
• British High Commission, Colombo: +94 (0)11 539 0639.
• Canadian High Commission, Colombo: +94 (0)11 522 6232.
• Australian High Commission, Colombo: + 94 (0)11 246 3200.
• South African High Commission, Colombo: + 94 (0)11 268 9926.
• Honorary Consul of Ireland, Colombo: +94 (0)11 258 7895.
• New Zealand High Commission, New Delhi, India (also responsible for Sri Lanka): +91 (0)11 2688 3170.

Sri Lanka Embassies Abroad

• Sri Lanka Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 483 4025.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7262 1841.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 233 8449.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6239 7041.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 7679.

Emergency

110 (Ambulance), 118 (Police)

Language

Most people speak Sinhala, which is the national and official language. Tamil is also spoken, and English is spoken at most tourist establishments.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR), which is divided into 100 cents. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and travelers checks in US Dollars are recommended. ATMs are becoming more common, but outside the main cities they are unlikely to accept international cards. Credit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureau de change, banks and hotels, but exchanging cash is more expensive than exchanging travelers checks. Banks are closed on Sundays.

109.5700

Time

Local time is GMT +5.30.

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round, three-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international country dialing code for Sri Lanka is +94. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City or area codes are in use, e.g. (0)11 for Central Colombo. International direct dial facilities are available in Colombo and other major cities. Mobile phone operators provide GSM 900/1800 frequency networks with coverage across all the main parts of the island. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Sri Lanka over 18 years do not have to pay duty on the following items :2 bottles wine and 1.5 liters spirits; perfume up to 59ml and 250ml eau de toilette; and souvenirs to the value of US$250; 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars and 340g of tobacco. For family members traveling together free import applies for two members. Passengers must declare personal effects to ensure free export when they arrive in Sri Lanka. Restricted items include firearms, ammunitions, explosives and weapons, plants, fruits, birds and by-products, medication (unless it is for personal use), and goods for commercial purposes. Prohibited items include drugs or narcotics, pornographic material, and material that ridicules religious belief systems.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Tourism, Colombo: +94 11 242 6900 or www.srilankatourism.org

Embassies in Sri Lanka

• United States Embassy, Colombo: +94 (0)11 249 8500.
• British High Commission, Colombo: +94 (0)11 539 0639.
• Canadian High Commission, Colombo: +94 (0)11 522 6232.
• Australian High Commission, Colombo: + 94 (0)11 246 3200.
• South African High Commission, Colombo: + 94 (0)11 268 9926.
• Honorary Consul of Ireland, Colombo: +94 (0)11 258 7895.
• New Zealand High Commission, New Delhi, India (also responsible for Sri Lanka): +91 (0)11 2688 3170.

Sri Lanka Embassies Abroad

• Sri Lanka Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 483 4025.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7262 1841.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 233 8449.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6239 7041.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 7679.

Emergency

110 (Ambulance), 118 (Police)

Language

Most people speak Sinhala, which is the national and official language. Tamil is also spoken, and English is spoken at most tourist establishments.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR), which is divided into 100 cents. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and travelers checks in US Dollars are recommended. ATMs are becoming more common, but outside the main cities they are unlikely to accept international cards. Credit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureau de change, banks and hotels, but exchanging cash is more expensive than exchanging travelers checks. Banks are closed on Sundays.

109.5700

Time

Local time is GMT +5.30.

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round, three-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international country dialing code for Sri Lanka is +94. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City or area codes are in use, e.g. (0)11 for Central Colombo. International direct dial facilities are available in Colombo and other major cities. Mobile phone operators provide GSM 900/1800 frequency networks with coverage across all the main parts of the island. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Sri Lanka over 18 years do not have to pay duty on the following items :2 bottles wine and 1.5 liters spirits; perfume up to 59ml and 250ml eau de toilette; and souvenirs to the value of US$250; 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars and 340g of tobacco. For family members traveling together free import applies for two members. Passengers must declare personal effects to ensure free export when they arrive in Sri Lanka. Restricted items include firearms, ammunitions, explosives and weapons, plants, fruits, birds and by-products, medication (unless it is for personal use), and goods for commercial purposes. Prohibited items include drugs or narcotics, pornographic material, and material that ridicules religious belief systems.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Tourism, Colombo: +94 11 242 6900 or www.srilankatourism.org

Embassies in Sri Lanka

• United States Embassy, Colombo: +94 (0)11 249 8500.
• British High Commission, Colombo: +94 (0)11 539 0639.
• Canadian High Commission, Colombo: +94 (0)11 522 6232.
• Australian High Commission, Colombo: + 94 (0)11 246 3200.
• South African High Commission, Colombo: + 94 (0)11 268 9926.
• Honorary Consul of Ireland, Colombo: +94 (0)11 258 7895.
• New Zealand High Commission, New Delhi, India (also responsible for Sri Lanka): +91 (0)11 2688 3170.

Sri Lanka Embassies Abroad

• Sri Lanka Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 483 4025.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7262 1841.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 233 8449.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6239 7041.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 7679.

Emergency

110 (Ambulance), 118 (Police)

Language

Most people speak Sinhala, which is the national and official language. Tamil is also spoken, and English is spoken at most tourist establishments.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR), which is divided into 100 cents. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and travelers checks in US Dollars are recommended. ATMs are becoming more common, but outside the main cities they are unlikely to accept international cards. Credit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureau de change, banks and hotels, but exchanging cash is more expensive than exchanging travelers checks. Banks are closed on Sundays.

109.5700

Time

Local time is GMT +5.30.

Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round, three-pin plugs are used.

Communications

The international country dialing code for Sri Lanka is +94. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City or area codes are in use, e.g. (0)11 for Central Colombo. International direct dial facilities are available in Colombo and other major cities. Mobile phone operators provide GSM 900/1800 frequency networks with coverage across all the main parts of the island. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Travelers to Sri Lanka over 18 years do not have to pay duty on the following items :2 bottles wine and 1.5 liters spirits; perfume up to 59ml and 250ml eau de toilette; and souvenirs to the value of US$250; 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars and 340g of tobacco. For family members traveling together free import applies for two members. Passengers must declare personal effects to ensure free export when they arrive in Sri Lanka. Restricted items include firearms, ammunitions, explosives and weapons, plants, fruits, birds and by-products, medication (unless it is for personal use), and goods for commercial purposes. Prohibited items include drugs or narcotics, pornographic material, and material that ridicules religious belief systems.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Tourism, Colombo: +94 11 242 6900 or www.srilankatourism.org

Embassies in Sri Lanka

• United States Embassy, Colombo: +94 (0)11 249 8500.
• British High Commission, Colombo: +94 (0)11 539 0639.
• Canadian High Commission, Colombo: +94 (0)11 522 6232.
• Australian High Commission, Colombo: + 94 (0)11 246 3200.
• South African High Commission, Colombo: + 94 (0)11 268 9926.
• Honorary Consul of Ireland, Colombo: +94 (0)11 258 7895.
• New Zealand High Commission, New Delhi, India (also responsible for Sri Lanka): +91 (0)11 2688 3170.

Sri Lanka Embassies Abroad

• Sri Lanka Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 483 4025.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7262 1841.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 233 8449.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6239 7041.
• Sri Lanka High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 7679.

Emergency

110 (Ambulance), 118 (Police)