Important Information
Society
Sri Lankan society is a conventional but liberal south asian society and its greatly influenced by neighboring India. It is predominantly influenced buddhism and therefore its a tolerant society with hospitable and smilling people.
Clothing(What and what not to Wear)
Since Sri Lanka is a tropical country influenced by south asian culture, it is suitable to wear cotton clothing and lightweight suits. Tourists are advised to wear descent beach clothing(ex: avoid staying topless in two piece swim suits)respecting the local culture. Furthermore it is recommended to wear wide brimmed hats and sunglasses to avoid sun burn and damage to the eyes. When visiting upcountry(the highlands) you may need to wear pullovers, or medium thick slacks, as the climate turns cool. It is important to wear proper and respectable clothing, when visiting places of religious importance(ex: long sleeved clothes and covering the legs). You can wear sandals instead of shoes as they are easier to put on and off.
What to declare at arrival
Once you arrive to the country, it is
important to declare currency, travelers cheques, and drafts you
carry. It is recommended to declare other valuable belongings such as
gold, silver, gems, jewelry.
In an Emergency
Police emergency service -119
National Help Desk(under ministry of defense) – 118
Colombo Emergency control -0112433333
Government Information Center -1919
Currency
Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) is the local currency.
Time Difference
Working
Hours
From Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.30 pm are taken as
the normal working hours. And from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm on Saturday.
Sundays and public holidays are not working days.
News Papers
Most of the news papers are published in English, Sinhala and Tamil are available on the Internet.
Radio
channels.
There are lot of radio stations transmitting on
Sinhala, English & Tamil languages which are both government and
private. Both television Channels and cable- TV operators
available in Sri Lanka.
Some of the TV channels are available on
the Internet.
Transport
Buses: The general public mostly use buses in their day to day work .since it is cheap and available all the time.
Trains:traveling by train is the best way to see the country at a very cheap price. Train routes cover the hill country, down south, northern dry zone and most of the other tourist attractions in the Island. It is possible to travel to Kandy via a vintage steam engine train consisting of luxury compartments and run by charcoal combustion.
Auto-Rickshaws (Three Wheelers): These are a type of taxi and are available throughout the country, and can travel 1Km to a price less than Rs.60/=.
Taxis : Several companies run radiocab services which possible to call within Colombo and suburbs. Better be prepared to bargain the fare with the taxis which are not metered.
Telephone
/Internet/E-mail
Communication facilities are widely spread in
towns in Sri Lanka. Possible to find communication Centers, Post
offices, cyber cafes in Colombo and in other cities and towns.
Internet Services, IDD, Fax and many other facilities are available
in most towns and cities.
Medical
Facilities
Nursing homes, Government and private hospitals
provide medical services in the city of Colombo and in all other
cities throughout the country.
Major Hospitals in the Colombo Area:-
Colombo
General Hospital
Sri Jaywardenapura,
Kalubowila
Voltage
230-240
Volts 50cycles AC
Information
Service
The Tourist Information Center (TIC) run in Colombo
by the Ceylon Tourist Board is located at 78, Steuart Place, Galle
Road, Colombo 3.
Tel:437571,437059,437060.
Kandy TIC -
Headman's Lodge, 3, Deva Veediya, Kandy, 08-22661. Open 900 hrs. to
1645 hrs. on weekdays. Saturday 0900 to 1300 hrs.
Negombo TIC -
12/6, Lewis Place, Negombo. Open 0900 - 1715 hrs.
Hikkaduwa TIC -
Commercial Bank Bldg., Galle Road, Hikkaduwa. Tel : 09-23397
Airport
TIC - Located in the arrivals lounge of the International Airport,
Katunayake and open day and night. Tel: 452411
Tourist
Police
Special Tourist Police Units are available to help
tourists.
Tourist
Police Units
Tourist Police, Fort Police Station, Bank of
Ceylon Mawatha, Fort, Colombo.
Tel: 433342
Galle Road,
Moragalle, Beruwela
Ethukala, Negombo Pushpadana Road, Kandy. Tel
: 08-22222.
Sigiriya Village Hotel Road, Sigiriya
Police
Station, National holiday Resort, Bentota. Tel: 03475022.
Police
Station, Galle Road, Hikkaduwa. Tel: 0957222
Entry
Fees and Photographic Permit to Archaeological Sites
Anuradhapura
(US$12)
Sigiriya (US$12)
Polonnaruwa (US$12)
Kandy (US$
10)
Nalanda (US$10)
Inclusive tickets for all sites - (US$30),
are available from the Central Cultural Fund 212/1 Bauddhaloka
Mawatha, Colombo 7. Tel: 500732.