Sri Lanka - Country Information

Film Commissions

General Information

Location: Indian Ocean
Local Time: GMT +5
Capital City: Colombo (commercial); Jayewardenepura (administrative)
Population: 19 million
Area: 65,610 square km, 25,332 square miles.
Language(s): Sinhalese, Tamil, English
Dialling Code: 94
Emergency: Police: 433333. Fire & Ambulance: 422222
Directory Enquiries:
TV Standard:
Driving: Driving is on the left. International Driving Permit required. Temporary licence available on presentation of National licence which must be endorsed at the AA office in Colombo. Minimum driving age is 18
Electricity: 230/240V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR 1 = 100 Cents)
Notes: LKR: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 2,000
Coins: LKR: 1, 2, 5. Cents: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted. Foreign currency can only be exchanged at authorised hotels, banks and money changers

Opening Hours
Bank: 0900-1500 Mon-Fri
Office: 0900-1700 Mon-Fri
Shops: 0900-1730 Mon-Fri, 0900-1300 Sat

Public Holidays
2008
Jan 1 New Year's Day, Jan 14 Tamil Thai Pongal Day, Feb 4 National Day, Feb* Maha Sivarathri Day, Mar 20 Milad un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet), Mar 21 Good Friday, Apr 13-14 Sinhala and Tamil New Year, May 1 May Day, Oct 2 End of Ramadam, Oct 28 Deepavali, Dec 9 Hadji Festival Day, Dec 25 Christmas Day
* Dates may vary according to the lunar calendar

Business/Social Hints: Some persons may prefer not to shake hands with those of the opposite sex. The business community generally speaks English. It is the convention to use the right and not the left hand when shaking hands and passing or receiving anything. Smoking is generally accepted. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants or clubs, arrive on time and dress as for business meetings unless suggested otherwise.

Tipping: Service charges are sometimes added to restaurant bills, additional tips of around 10% are discretionary. Tips for taxis are around 10%

Health

Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. Exempt infants under 1 year.

Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria*, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, Japanese B encephalitis*, malaria, polio, TB*, tetanus, typhoid
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: Malaria exists all year throughout the country except in the districts of Colombo, Kalutara and Nuwara Eliya. Rabies.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports

Required by all

Passport Validity: Passports must be valid 2 months beyond intended length of stay

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Sri Lanka
2) Holders of a valid residence permit or residence visa
3) Holders of a re-entry permit

Notes: Entry visas will be issued, free of charge, on arrival at Colombo Airport to tourists, for stays up to 30 days to:
a) British subjects being `Citizen of the United Kingdom & Colonies'
b) Nationals of Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea (South), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Maldives, Moldova, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia & Montenegro, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States & Uzbekistan

Air Transit

Required by all except those as noted above and:
1) Persons continuing their journey to another country by the same or first connecting aircraft within 8 hours

Special Notes

All visitors must hold onward/return tickets & sufficient funds for length of stay (minimum USD 30 per day)

Climate

Typical tropical climate. Temperatures and humidity are high throughout the year although 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 southwestern coast and mountain slopes are the wettest areas mainly between Apr- Jun & Oct-Nov. The northeastern side is much drier with little rainfall between Feb-Sep, the main rainy season being May-July

Clothing

Lightweights or tropical with rainwear at all times. Warmer clothes are necessary in the hilly areas, especially between Nov-Jan

Charts for Colombo

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 30 31 31 31 31 29 29 29 29 29 29 29 Min Temp (C) 22 22 23 24 26 25 25 25 25 24 23 22 Humidity am (%) 73 71 71 74 78 80 79 78 76 77 77 74 Humidity pm (%) 67 66 66 70 76 78 77 76 75 76 75 69 Rainfall (mm) 89 69 147 231 371 224 135 109 160 348 315 147

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

UK Tourist Office
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) Tourist Board
26-27 Clareville House, Oxendon Street
London, SW1Y 4EL
tel: +44 845 880 6333
fax: +44 845 880 6444
e-mail: info@srilankatourism.org.uk
website: www.srilankatourism.org .uk

Embassy
High Commission of Sri Lanka
13 Hyde Park Gardens
London, W2 2LU
tel: +44 20 7262 1841
fax; +44 20 7262 7970
e-mail: mail@slhc-london.co.uk
website: www.slhclondon.org
hours: 0930-1300 (Mon-Fri)