Sri Lanka Travel Guide

Social Conventions

Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting. It is customary to be offered tea when visiting and it is considered impolite to refuse. Punctuality is appreciated. A small token of appreciation, such as a souvenir from home or company, is always welcomed. Informal, Western dress is suitable, except when visiting Buddhist temples, where modest clothing should be worn (eg no bare legs and upper arms). Visitors should be decently clothed when visiting any place of worship, and shoes and hats must be removed. Jackets and ties are not required by men in the evenings except for formal functions when lightweight suits should be worn.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airline is SriLankan Airlines (UL) (website: www.srilankan.lk).

Departure Tax

None.

Main Airports

Colombo Bandaranaike (CMB) (Katunayake) is 29km (19 miles) north of the city. To/from the airport: Buses go to the city regularly (journey time - 1 hour). Taxis are available. There are trains to Maradana Station, located 1.6km (1 mile) from the city center (journey time – 1 hour). Facilities: Duty-free shop, restaurant, bar, banks, post office, left luggage, tourist information and car hire.

Getting There By Water

Main ports:Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Kankasanthurai, Point Pedru and Trincomalee. For more information, contact the Sri Lanka Port Authority (tel: (11) 242 1201/31; website: www.slpa.lk).

Duty Free

Overview

The following items may be imported into Sri Lanka by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 2 bottles of wine and 1.5L of spirits.
• A small quantity of perfume and 250mL of eau de toilette.
• Personal clothing and other essentials.
• Souvenirs should not exceed US$250 in value. Note: Please note that with effect from April 2006, there is no longer a duty-free allowance for tobacco products. Any passenger arriving into Colombo and clearing customs, if having any cigarettes in their possession, will be charged at Rs.6,000 per carton of cigarettes approximately. (A few packets for personal use only may be allowed.)

(a) Only two members of the same family traveling together are entitled to free import allowances. (b) Valuable personal effects (including jewelry), must be declared on arrival in Sri Lanka. (c) There is no gift allowance. (d) Unused Sri Lankan currency should be reconverted to foreign currency upon departure. You are not permitted to leave Sri Lanka with currency in excess of Rs.250.

Prohibited Imports

Firearms, explosives and dangerous weapons; antiques; animals/birds/reptiles (dead or alive) and parts; tea; rubber; coconut plants; dangerous drugs; pornographic materials.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

The major domestic airport is Ratmalana at Colombo. There are daily flights to Jaffna and Trincomalee by Aero Lanka and Expo Aviation (website: www.expoavi.com). Charter flights can be arranged by plane, or by helicopter with Deccan Helicopters (we www.deccanhelicopters.com).

Getting Around By Rail

Trains connect Colombo with all tourist towns, but first-class carriages, air conditioning and dining cars are available on only a few. New fast services operate on the principal routes, including an intercity express service between Colombo and Kandy, otherwise journeys are fairly leisurely.

Note: Rail services to Jaffna, Batticaloa and Talaimannar have ceased owing to political disruptions in the north and east.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the left. Flashing lights mean that the driver is asserting right of way. Avoid remote areas and traveling at night.

Bus: An extensive network of services of reasonable quality is provided by the Sri Lanka Central Transport Board (tel: (11) 258 1120; website: www.transport.gov.lk). Private bus drivers are paid according to the number of passengers and can often drive rather dangerously.

Taxi: These have yellow tops and red and white plates. In Colombo, taxis are metered but it is advisable to agree a rate before setting off. Drivers expect a 10% tip.

Car hire: This is available from several international agencies. Air-conditioned minibuses are also available. Motorised rickshaws are also readily available for hire in towns and villages. Chauffeur-driven cars are less expensive and recommended.

Regulations: Most roads are tarred, with a 56kph (35mph) speed limit in built-up areas and 75kph (45mph) outside towns. The minimum age for driving a car is 18.

Documentation: In order to avoid bureaucratic formalities in Sri Lanka, an International Driving Permit should be obtained before departure. If not, a temporary license to drive is obtainable on presentation of a valid national driving license. This must be endorsed at the AA office in Colombo.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

The Central Transport Board provides intensive urban bus operations in Colombo, where there are also private buses and minibuses. Fares are generally collected by conductors. Services are often crowded.

Journey Times

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Colombo to other major cities/towns in Sri Lanka.

	Air	Road	Rail
Matara	-	4.00	4.30
Badulla	-	9.30	9.00
Anuradhapura	0.45	5.30	6.00
Trincomalee	1.00	6.00	7.00