Mini Travel Guide Of Sri Lanka

Money

CURRENCY: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Exchange rate (July 2022)): 1USD=358LKR, 1EUR=366LKR.You can exchange money in all big hotels, banks and registered money exchanges. Some jewelry shops also does money exchange.

ATMs: ATMs are available in all main cities. Almost all ATMs accept international cards. Remember to inform your local bank that you are visiting Sri Lanka and activate your card for international shopping.

COSTS: Other than flights to and from Sri Lanka, everything else is remarkably cheap. Sri Lanka is a seriously budget-friendly destination with many opportunities for affordable luxury as well

WEATHER

Except for the hill towns, the weather is very hot and incredibly humid everywhere. Surprisingly, it doesn’t get much better in the evening.

Sri Lanka has almost constant sunrise (06:00) and sunset (18:00) times throughout the year.

Always apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses and a hat when travelling in direct sunlight.

Carry an umbrella for sudden and, inevitable, downpours.

COMMUNICATION

LANGUAGE: Sri Lanka has two official languages: Sinhala and Tamil. Road signs etc. are always written in both languages and English. English is widely spoken by Sri Lankans who are somehow related to the tourism industry. In rural areas, people may not be fluent in English.

SIM CARDS: The best network coverage is from dialog and Mobitel. The other Networks are airtel and hutch. Telephone data and calls are very affordable. You can buy the SIM cards from the airport. Mobitel SIM card can be purchased in the airport before the immigration counters. So, you can buy even if you are in a transit at the airport.

Food & Groceries

RESTAURANTS: Restautants are referred to as hotels. You must check hotels which have accommodation. Please don’t assume that all hotels have accommodation

WATER: Do not drink tap water. Make sure your bottled water comes with an undamaged cap seal.

SUPERMARKET CHAINS: KEELS, CARGILS FOOD CITY and ARPICO. Payments through bank cards are available in these supermarkets. Many small shops do not have card payments.

Transport

Public busses are always in a hurry. And the busses always race. They do not wait for the pessengers to get in and get out. If one foot is on the bus or ground, they take off

Uber and “pick me” provide taxi services for your daily transport needs.

Petrol stations are run by CEPETCO and LANKA IOC

The vehicles are right hand drive.

Renting of scooters is one of the best way to travel. You must have an international driving license with category A. Remember to rent from a rental company only. Always check the tires and brakes in a test drive. You must always carry with you the revenue license. Insurance, and emission test certificate (to be provided by the rental company)

Be extra careful when crossing roads even if you are on a zebra crossing.

Sanitation

Waste Disposal: It is very rare even in the capital to find garbage disposal bins. Even in public places. Therefore, please carry extra bags to collect the garbage to dispose it later.

Toilets: They are wet type and many places you will not find toilet paper and soap. It is advisable to carry toilet paper and handwash. Some public toilets charge per use.

other

Monkeys: be careful when monkeys are around, they are ready to grab food, flowers etc from your hands and bags.

Always face the Buddha statues when taking photographs. Facing your back to the Buddha statues is considered disrespectful.

Do not forget to carry mosquito repellent sprays or creams with you when traveling to Sri Lanka, especially in the more remote areas of the country.

Popular sinhala phrases/words

Hello -Ayubowan

How are you?– Kohomadhe

Good – Hondai

Thankyou– isthuthi

Yes- ouw

No- na

Do you speak English – Oyate Ingrisi Katha Karanna Puluwanda

I Don’t Speak Sinhala– Singhala Danna Naa

How much is it – Meeka Kiyadha

I don’t understand– Mata Terenne Na

Can I make a call– Mata Call Ekak Ganda Pulu Wandha

Wait a Minute– Poddak Inna

When– kavadha da?

Tomorrow– heta

Yesterday– eiye

Today- adha

Money – salli Toilet – vasikiliya

Train – dhumbriya Car– vahane

Food– kaema Water– wathura

Chili– miris Sugar– sini

Salt– lunu More– wadi

Less– adu Tasty– rasai

Numbers

1 eka 10 daahaya

2 deka 20 vissa

3 thuna 30 tiha

4 hathara 40 hataliha

5 paha 50 panaha

6 haya 60 heta

7 hatha 70 heth thewa

8 ata 80 assuwa

9 namaya 90 annuwa

100 seeiye 1000 daha

200 Desiya 5000 pan daha

Emergency Numbers

Tourism Hotline: 1912

Ambulance Service: 1990

Tourist police: 0112421052

Fire and Rescue: 110