Sri Lanka - Traveller information

Local laws and conventions: Visitors should not enter a Buddhist temple wearing headgear or with bare legs or shoulders; footwear must also be removed.

Alcohol cannot be sold on Poya holidays. Visitors can be fined if they ignore instructions not to smoke or drink in public. Penalties for all drug offences are severe.

Photography and videotaping are not permitted near military bases and government buildings, and posing for photographs in front of a statue of Buddha is prohibited.
Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. Informal dress is acceptable, except when visiting Buddhist temples, where modest clothing should be worn. Businesswear is generally casual, though women should dress conservatively. Appointments are necessary for meetings and punctuality is important. Business cards are usually exchanged on first introduction and English is widely used. Office hours are Mon–Fri 0900–1700.

Immigration and customs: Visas are required by all visitors, and passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended length of stay.

It is prohibited to import weapons, ivory, antiques, statues, old books, animals or birds, reptiles, tea, rubber and dangerous drugs.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by all those arriving from infected areas.

Travel within the country: Traffic drives on the left and an international driving permit is required for foreign visitors. Car hire is inexpensive and is available from international agencies. There is a 56kph speed limit in built-up areas and 75kph outside towns. If another driver flashes their headlights, they are asserting their right of way.

Trains connect Colombo to most other cities, and first-class air-conditioned carriages are available on a few services. An intercity express service operates between Colombo and Kandy.

There is an extensive bus network that operates around the country. Taxis have yellow tops and red and white number plates. Most are metered but visitors should always agree the fare before travel. Motorised rickshaws are readily available for hire and chauffeur-driven cars are also available.

Visitors should seek advice from local authorities if they wish to travel to Anuradhapura.

Travel health: Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended. Emergency medical treatment is limited outside main cities, and treatment in private hospitals can be expensive.

Mosquito-borne diseases – dengue fever, chikungunya and malaria – are present in Sri Lanka, and visitors will need to bring insect repellent and suitable clothing to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

Water should be boiled or sterilised before used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice. Many hotels provide bottled or mineral water for guests. Unpasteurised milk should be boiled before use.

Money: There are ATMs in major cities, but some do not accept international cards. Most major banks will change US dollar travellers cheques and accept Visa and Mastercard withdrawals. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US dollars or pounds sterling. Visitors should note that foreign currency can only be changed at authorised exchanges, banks and hotels, and that these establishments must endorse such exchanges on the visitor’s Exchange Control D form, which is issued on arrival and must usually be returned at the time of departure. Banking hours are Mon–Sat 0900–1300.

There were 549,308 tourist arrivals in 2005.