Sri Lanka

Passports & Visas:

Full Passport required - passports must be valid for 6 months beyond intended length of stay.
Visas are not required for British Tourists visiting for up to 30 days.  Persons of other nationality should check with their Embassy for requirements.  All tourists must have sufficient funds for their visit and an onward ticket.

Vaccination:

Hepatitis A, malaria, polio, tetanus, typhoid are recommended.
Malaria exists all year throughout the country except in the districts of Colombo, Kalutara and Nuwara Eliya.  Rabies is present.
Please refer to the Health Advice for Travellers leaflet and/or your GP for further advice.

Currency:

Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR 1 = 100 cents)  Notes LKR 5,10,20,50,100,500,1000  Coins LKR 1,2,5  Cents 1,2,5,10,25,50 
Import - Local up to LKR 1000.  Foreign - no restriction, amounts over USD 5000 must be declared.  Indian and Pakistan currency prohibited.
Export - Local up to LKR 1000.  Foreign - up to amount imported and declared.
Always ensure that you have sufficient local currency for your immediate use when arriving at your destination.  Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted.  Foreign currency can only be exchanged at authorised hotels, banks and money changers.

Weather:

A typically tropical climate.  Lower level temperatures and humidity are high throughout the year; temperatures on the coast are moderated by sea breezes.  Interior highland temperatures are reduced by altitude giving a pleasant climate, not too hot during the day and not too cold during the night.  Rainfall is heavy/moderate everywhere and well distributed throughout the year.  The south-western coast and mountain slopes are the wettest areas mainly between Apr-Jun & Oct-Nov.  The North Eastern side is much drier with little rainfall between Feb-Sep, the main raining season being May-Jun.

Clothing

Lightweights or tropical with rainwear at all times.  Warmer clothes are necessary in the hilly areas, especially between Nov-Jan.  Sun hats, sun glasses and comfortable shoes recommended. Please ensure that upon entry into the country that all sports/walking shoes are clean and free of mud as they may be confiscated to be disinfected which may take several days and will incur a charge to the owner.

General Information
Location :   Indian Ocean
Local time :   GMT + 5 hours 30 mins
Capital :   Colombo (commercial)  Jayawardanapura (administrative).
Language :   Sinhala, Tamil, English
Electricity :   230/240V AC 50 HZ
International direct dialling :  94
Driving :   Driving on the left.  International Driving Permit required.  Minimum age 18.
Airport :   Colombo International Airport
Population :  Approximately 20 million
Business hours :  Banks 0900 - 1500 Mon - Fri  Shops 0900 - 1730 Mon - Fri 0900 - 1300 Sat
Departure Tax :  Included in the cost of the air ticket.

Sport Sri Lanka

The season for cricket is September to March for adults and Under 19 cricket, the younger age groups play April -September.  The season for Rugby is April to September.  Soccer, Hockey, Netball, Athletics, Swimming and Tennis are played year round.