about sri lanka

About Sri Lanka


General Information Location The teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka is located in the Asian continent, in the Indian Ocean. It is just below the southern tip of India, to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal and to the southeast of the Arabian Sea. It is separated from India by the Palk Strait, a 50 kilometre stretch of ocean. Sri Lanka lies 880 kilometres north of the equator, between 5º55' and 9º55' north latitudes and between 79º42' and 81º52' eastern longitudes. See detailed map of Sri Lanka. Climate Visitors to Sri Lanka will be completely fascinated by the unusual climate of the country. It is possible to come across hot and humid tropical weather, cool and misty conditions and dry, parched areas all within the same day. Seasonal changes are based solely on the monsoons - the South West Monsoon and the North East Monsoon. The former blows in from the Indian Ocean, bringing with it heavy periods of rain and which may last from May to September. This season usually starts with a month of heavy rain followed by periods of shorter showers. At this time of the year the seas are rough and the coastal tides are rather dangerous; swimming in the sea should be strictly avoided at this time of the year. The northeastern monsoon blows in from the Bay of Bengal, but doesn't bring much rain and that too is generally to the northeastern parts of the island. Thunderstorms are witnessed throughout the country during October/November when the inter- monsoon period is in effect. These short bursts of heavy rain generally take place late in the evenings after rather sunny, warm and humid days and may bring with them a degree of freshness and coolness. The small lakes which have been filled to their brims with this water and the sweet fragrance of damp soil and the myriad flowers littering the roads and valleys are a welcome sight after these thunderstorms. An umbrella is a must for locals or foreigners alike; this can protect you from the lashing rain as well as the scorching sun and searing heat. The warmest temperatures are normally witnessed in the low-lying southern and western coastal regions - with Colombo averaging 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit). The sea is a warm and inviting 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The temperatures drop noticeably as you move up into the central highlands, and it could get quite chilly towards the night. Kandy, located 305 metres above sea level, records an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius while Nuwara Eliya, at an altitude of 1,890 metres, can reach 16 degrees Celsius.
History Sri Lanka has a recorded history dating back to over 2,500 years. The Mahavamsa provides a detailed historical account of the island; which includes the many trade and cultural links it had established with several other ancient civilizations. Sri Lanka has been known by different names to different people of the world. To the Greeks it was Taprobane, to the Arabs it was Serendib, to the Portuguese it was Ceilao, to the Dutch it was Zeylan, and to the British it was Ceylon. Sri Lanka was the ancient name meaning 'The Resplendent Isle'. Culture Sri Lankans are friendly, helpful and courteous by nature and you are likely to be welcomed with a smile at any part of the country. You are expected to behave accordingly; they will not take kindly to loss of temper of raising of voices on your part and such behaviour may work to your disadvantage. Life is generally laid-back and relaxed although this may be different in Colombo and some of the main cities. People are just as concerned about enjoying life as about working hard and making money. In certain villages, people still have special roles assigned to them and even some professions are specially confined to some villages. Asking very personal questions from all strangers, be they local or foreign, is not considered intrusive here. You would find total strangers asking your name, country, age, marital status and the number of children you have. Although such inquisitiveness is considered unwelcome in western cultures, this is not so in most parts of Asia and would only reflect their friendliness and honesty. Foreigners also have to be prepared to be stared at; every one from the tiniest tot to the ageing grandmother would stare at you specially in rural areas. This is not considered rude here as it is in western societies and has to be taken in its stride. The elderly and children are treated well; elderly parents are well looked after by their grown-up children in extended families, and the western practice of placing elderly parents in elders' homes is looked down upon although this is now a growing trend. The divorce rate is also one of the lowest in the world, with about one divorce per 10,000 people per year. Sri Lankans generally have a relaxed attitude to informal European dress styles. However, religious and cultural sensitivities should be taken into account by all visitors who are in the country. Always remove your shoes and any headgear when entering sacred places such as Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines, and walk barefoot. When entering temples, you should be dressed appropriately; women should wear long skirts or loose trousers and modest blouses or loose dresses, while men should wear long trousers or sarongs. Exposing the skin, bare backs or shoulders are not accepted at religious sites, so don't clad yourself in briefs or shorts. The proper mode of dress and behaviour which should be followed inside religious premises is printed and displayed outside most such places and all visitors, whether local or foreign, are expected to follow suit. These customs apply even in ancient ruined archaeological sites; they are still considered as sacred and should be treated as such. Swimwear is not acceptable in public places. Neither is nudism or topless bathing by females. Sri Lankans are conservative by nature so extreme modes of behavior of whatever kind may not be accepted. Festivals and the rituals associated with them play a major role in the lives of Sri Lankans. They are generally colourful gatherings of family and friends and sometimes whole villages, for instance, for events like peraheras (processions), devil-dancing ceremonies and various events held at temples and kovils. Some of these events are even decided on by astrologers based on horoscopes and the movement of heavenly objects. The rich, vibrant and colourful dance heritage of the country is an integral part of the culture. People Sri Lanka has a population of 20,926,315 with a population growth rate of 1.3%. This multi-ethnic population comprises: Sinhalese - 74% Tamils - 18% Muslims - 7% Burghers (descendants of Dutch and Portuguese) - 1% (A small population of Veddas /indigenous people still live in forests in areas like Mahiyangana.)
Religion The four major religions in the country are: Buddhism (followed by about 70% of the population), Hinduism (about 15% of the population), Christianity (7%) and Islam (7%). Most Sinhalese are Buddhist although there is a small number of Christian Sinhalese. The majority of Tamils are Hindu although there is a significant number of Tamil Christians as well. Religious Services - Place of worship in Colombo are as follows: Buddhist - * Gangarama Temple, 61 Jinaratana Road, Colombo 2 Tel: 011 232 7084 Fax: 011 243 9508 Isipathanarama Temple, Isipathana Road, Colombo 5 • Vajirarama Temple, Vajira Road, Colombo 5 For more information on Buddhist places of worship, contact: Buddhist Research & Information Centre 380/10 Sarana Road, Colombo 7 Tel: 268 9388 Christian – Anglican - * Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 Tel: 269 6383 * St Luke's Church, Colombo 8 (Borella) Tel: 269 1543 * St Peter's Church (Mission to Seamen), 26 Church Street, Colombo 1 Tel: 242 2510 * Bambalapitiya Dutch Reformed Church, Galle Road, Colombo 4 Tel: 232 3765 * St Andrew's Church, Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 222 3765 Baptist - * Baptist Church, 331 Grandpass Road, Colombo 14 * Baptist Manse, 120 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7 Tel: 269 5153 Methodist - * Methodist Church, 6 Station Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 232 3033 Roman Catholic - * St Philip Neri's Church, 157 Olcott Mawatha, Colombo 11 Tel: 242 1367 * St Lawrence's Church, Galle Road, Colombo 6 Tel: 258 1549 * St Mary's Church, Lauries Road, Colombo 4 Tel: 258 8745 Hindu - * New Kathiresan Temple, Galle Road, Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4 * Sri Muthuvinayagam Swami Kovil, 221 Sea Street, Colombo 11 • Sri Samankodu Kadirvekanda Swami Kovil, Main Street, Colombo 11 Islam - * Bambalapitiya Mosque, Buller's Road, Colombo 4 * Jami-ul-Alfar Mosque, 2nd Cross Street, Colombo 11 * Kollupitiya Mosque, Colombo 3 Languages Sinhala and Tamil are the most commonly spoken languages in Sri Lanka. In the main cities, English is widely spoken as well. As most hotels aim at catering to foriegn tourists, almost all hotel staff speak English, and many hotels will also have staff who speak German, French, Russian and other languages. Economy Although Sri Lanka's economy has been reletively stable in the recent past, its future depends primarily on politicial stability, maintaining peace and continued policy reforms. Sri Lanka needs economic growth rates of 7-8% and investment levels of about 30% of GDP for a sustainable reduction in unemployment and poverty. In the past 10 years, investment levels have averaged around 25% of GDP. The island depends on a continued strong global economy for investment and expansion of its export base. The government must have an ambitious infrastructure development programme to boost growth. The service sector is the largest component of GDP at around 60%. There is continued growth and strong expansion, fuelled primarily by strong growth in the telecom, trading, transport, and financial services. There is a growing information technology sector, especially information technology training and software development. Since the volatile security situation has ended in Sri Lanka, the tourism sector is a leading contributor and is rapidly growing on the island. Industry accounts for around 28% of GDP. Manufacturing is the largest industrial sub-sector, accounting for 18% of GDP. The construction sector accounts for 6% of GDP. Mining and quarrying account for 2% of GDP. Electricity, gas and water account for 2% of GDP. Within the manufacturing sector, food, beverage, and tobacco is the largest sub-sector in terms of value addition, accounting for 46%. Textiles, apparel, and leather is the second-largest sector with 24% of value addition. The third-largest sector in value added terms is chemical, petroleum, rubber, and plastic products. Agriculture has lost its relative importance to the Sri Lankan economy in recent decades. It employs 31% of the working population, but accounts for only about 12% of GDP. Rice, the staple cereal, is cultivated extensively. The plantation sector consists of tea, rubber, and coconut. In recent years the tea crop has earned Sri Lanka a well-deserved reputation. It has made significant contributions to export earnings. In fact, Sri Lanka is one of the largest tea exporters in the world, with the Middle East being one of its major markets. There are over Rs. 1 billion of annual remittances from Sri Lankan expatriate workers who contribute in a major way to keeping the country's economy afloat. Most of them are situated in the Middle East. The Head of State is the Executive President elected for a six-year term. The current President is Mahinda Rajapaksa who was elected in November 2005. The country has a multi-party system and a 225-seat parliament, to which members are elected by a modified form of proportional representation. Although members of parliament are generally elected for a six-year term, political volatility in the country as of late has kept the terms of recent parliaments rather short. The parliament is headed by the prime minister who represents the party which obtains the highest number of votes at a general election and there has been an instance where the president and prime minister have been from opposing sides of the political spectrum. The three main parties in the country are the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, which is in power at the moment, the United National Party which has held power in the past, and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna which is the third force in Sri Lankan politics. Public Holidays and Festivals Due to the country's multi-racial, multi-religious nature, Sri Lanka enjoys one of the highest number of holidays among all countries. The Full Moon (Poya) Day of every month is a public, bank and mercantile holiday. The Poya dates change every year as they are based on the monthly lunar cycle. The Muslim holidays of Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramadan), Id-Ul-Allah (Hajj) and Milad-Un-Nabi (Holy Prophet's Birthday) are national holidays and are held on different days each year according to the cycles of the Muslim calendar. National Holidays, which are on fixed dates, are: National Day – February 4 May Day – May 1 Christmas Day – December 25 Other holidays occur in the following months, although the dates may change every year, according to the moon and government decree: * January Tamil Thai Pongal Duruthu Poya * February Nawam Poya * March Mahasivarathri Medin Poya * March/April Good Friday * April Two days associated with the Sinhala/Tamil New Year Bak Poya * May Two days associated with the Vesak Poya * June Poson Poya - 7th * July Esala Poya - 6th * August Nikini Poya - 5th * September Binara Poya - 4th Ramadan - 21st * October Vap Poya - 3rd Deepavali - 17th * November Il Poya - 2nd Hajj - 28th * December Unduvap Poya - 1st Many activities in the country come to a complete standstill on these holidays and festivals. Traveling during Poya holidays can be very difficult and time-consuming since trains and buses are packed with commuters who are travelling to their hometowns. Technically, restrictions exist on alcohol sales on Poya days, but many tourist-oriented establishments serve guests discreetly. Holidays in Sri Lanka can be checked by visiting www.srilankatourism.org/events_festivals.asp
Food Sri Lanka is rich not only in terms of its diversity, culture and natural beauty, but also in terms of its cuisine. Its own indigenous varieties of food vie for attention with many other dishes influenced by Indian, Portuguese, Dutch, British, Malay and Arabian food. Main Foods Rice and curry is the staple food of the country, and curries are made in a hundred different ways. Meat, fish, seafood, vegetables and pulses are made into curries with the addition of thick coconut cream and a host of spices such as coriander, chillies, mustard, cumin, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom and garlic; these are combined in different proportions to give the curry either a fiery hot or more subtle flavour. Incidentally, Sri Lanka has always been famous for its rich spices; they were one of the prime magnets which drew the colonial powers as well as other merchants to the country's golden shores. Rice is consumed even three times a day to the accompaniment of several curries, made spicier with the addition of sliced onions, garlic and green chilies. Mallung or finely shredded leaves mixed with grated coconut, onions and a dash of lime juice, poppadom and various chutneys and pickles complement the main dishes. Hoppers (appa) are a breakfast or dinner item made with a batter of flour fermented with a little palm toddy. It's fried in a round cast-iron pan in such a way that it ends up with a soft, fluffy, well-risen centre and a golden brown crisp border. Sometimes, an egg is baked into the centre. Hoppers are delicious with hot sambols (a hot sharp 'relish' of ground chillies, grated coconut, onions and dried fish), curries, or for those with a sweet tooth, with jam or a little sugar. Milk rice (kiribath) is included in the menu at all special occasions. This is rice cooked in thick coconut cream and eaten with a chillie relish called 'lunumiris', hot curries or with a coconut and treacle confection called 'Panipol'. Light and lacy, string hoppers (indi-appa) resemble little bird nests and are made from a dough formed into strings and steamed. They make a mouthwatering meal with curries and sambol. Pittu is believed to have arrived in Sri Lanka with Malay regiments, but has now taken root in the island as a completely naturalised Sri Lankan staple. It's a mixture of fresh rice meal, very lightly roasted and mixed with fresh grated coconut. It is then steamed in a bamboo mould. It has a soft crumbly texture and is eaten with fresh coconut milk and lunumiris or curries. Kolakenda is taken for breakfast as a nutritious and balanced porridge of brown rice mixed with coconut cream and the juice of green herbs such as Polpala, Hathawariya, Gotukola or Elabatu. It's delicious served on its own or with a piece of jaggery. Roti is made with wheat, rice or brown millet flour mixed with fresh grated coconut and a touch of oil and baked on a hot griddle in thin flat cakes. They are equally good with chillie relish or with butter and jam or a sprinkling of sugar. Thosai – Of Tamil origin, this has now become another favourite item and is consumed for both breakfast and dinner. The base for this lentil pancake is ulundu, a black-skinned pulse of delicate flavour which is soaked and ground to a smooth batter, which is later flavoured with shallots, curry leaves, fenugreek and cumin and cooked on a hot griddle greased with oil. The tortilla- like thosai is eaten with a gravy and finely ground coconut and chillie sambol. Vadai - Often accompanying thosai at mealtimes, these small savoury cakes are made of ground ulundu or dhal. The lentil paste is mixed with minced shallot, green chillies, curry leaves and a dash of cumin and red chilli powder, fashioned into flat cakes and deep fried in coconut oil. Fish and Seafood Being surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has access to a wide variety of fish and seafood. Tuna, seer, mullet, crab, lobster, prawns and cuttlefish are plentiful. Beverages Tea is the most common beverage on the island and is drunk several times a day. Ceylon Tea is famous around the world and continues to be one of the biggest foreign exchange earners for the country. Iced tea and teas flavoured with various spices, ginger and fruits have been gaining in popularity among the younger generation. Another popular beverage, which is a great thirst-quencher, is the sweet and nutritious water contained in the golden king coconut (known locally as thambili). Many parts of plants such as roots, bark and leaves are boiled and the extract drunk for their therapeutic properties. Other popular beverages are juices made with a variety of fruit which are found throughout the island. Sweets and Desserts Sri Lanka is famous for its traditional sweets and some of the most popular are kevum (oil cakes), kokis (a crispy fried delicacy), aluwa, dodol, aasmi and athiraha. Palm treacle is the main traditional sweetener and one of the favourite desserts of the islanders is curd and treacle. Watalappam, though of Malay origin, has become a local favourite. This rich pudding is made with coconut milk, eggs and grated jaggery mixed together and steamed. Getting there By Air The international airport in Sri Lanka is the Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake, which is located 34 kilometres North from the capital Colombo, close to Negombo. The national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines (flight code UL) flies to 45 destinations in 25 countries in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Far East. Some of its major destinations include London, Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Rome, Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Dubai. Sri Lankan is one of the largest foreign carriers operating to India, with 90 weekly flights to 11 destinations. It is also the largest carrier to the Maldives with direct flights from Europe. Some other international carriers serving Colombo are Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Czech Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Expo Aviation, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian Airline, Royal Nepal Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. Getting Around
Car Rental and Driving Renting a car and driving yourself around Sri Lanka could be exciting and leisurely since you have the freedom to roam about as you please. Traffic in the city can be overwhelming so be sure to take necessary precautions. Always carry an updated map and familiarise yourself with Sri Lankan traffic laws. Sri Lankans are very friendly and will not hesitate to give you directions if asked. Although they only want to be helpful, they might sometimes give you wrong directions if they themselves don't know. To be on the safe side, always ask two or three different people as you go along. If the directions vary, you may have to try another approach. To drive in Sri Lanka, you need an International Driving License or a temporary Sri Lankan license. This could be obtained from the Automobile Association of Ceylon (Tel: 011 242 1158), 40, Sir Mohamed Marcan Markar Mawatha, just off Galle Face Green in Colombo. Transportation from the Airport Package tours usually include transfers from the airport to the hotel. A representative from our hotel can be available at the airport to meet you. Plenty of taxis are also available for independent travellers. Chauffeur - driven cars This may be the most comfortable way of getting around in Sri Lanka. Many reputed agencies, offer both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned vehicles. While some car-hire companies also provide long-distance chauffeur-driven services, this may not be more expensive than self-drive. Make sure you fully understand who is responsible for the driver's food and lodging before you start your travels. Please inquire at our hotel desk for more information. Bus Almost all parts of the country can be accessed by bus. Though the fares are rather low, traveling by bus is a slow process; they stop frequently, can get rather crowded, and might by uncomfortable for tourists. Bus services are operated by the government and private bus operators. The sizes of the buses vary. Semi-express and express buses also ply the roads; they make fewer stops and therefore may reach their destinations a little faster. The fastest buses on the road are those identified as something similar to 'inter-city express'. These may be smaller in size with air-conditioning, tinted windows and padded seats. Train Sri Lanka's railway system offers a charming way of getting around the country. Although fares are low, the down side to train travel include overcrowded carriages and delays. Inter-city Express Trains offer express services between Colombo-Kandy and Colombo- Vavuniya. There are 2nd Class seats and Observation Saloon seats on the Kandy trains, both of which can be reserved in advance. Colombo Commuter Trains offer stopping and semi-express services from Colombo to destinations such as Aluthgama, Rambukkana, Puttalam and Avissawella. Local trains offer stopping services for commuters between Aluthgama-Galle-Matara, Maho-Kurunegala, Maho- Polonnaruwa, on the Matale Line, and on the Main Line above Rambukkana. For more information, call train Inquiries on 011 243 4215. Trishaw The most convenient way to make short journeys on the island, and even longer journeys where public transport services are not available, is by trishaw. Trishaws are also known as motorised rickshaws, tuk-tuk's, three-wheeler's and taxi's. They are found all over the country and are willing to travel to almost any destination. With no 'doors', you may find traveling by trishaw a exciting, fun experience or a scary one. Some trishaw-drivers may try to trick foreigners with regard to the fare, so always be prepared to bargain and agree on the fare before you start the journey. A reasonable rule of thumb would be to count on around Rs 30 per kilometre, perhaps a bit more in busy cities such as Colombo and Kandy, and slightly less in rural areas. The charges may be higher in popular tourist destinations. Take plenty of change in notes to avoid being overcharged due to lack of change for your fare once you reach your destination. (Carry plenty of small notes with you to avoid being overcharged since some trishaw-drivers may not have change.) Taxi Numerous metered taxi services operate in Colombo and other major cities and can be booked by calling up their telephone numbers. They may operate cars, vans or mini-vans and are generally reliable, comfortable and not much more expensive than trishaws. Colombo Taxi Firms GNTC Tel: 268 8688 Ace Cabs Tel: 250 1502 Yellow Cabs Tel: 250 2888 Maps The best general maps of the island is the Rough Guides Sri Lanka map, which is printed on indestructible waterproof paper. The Nelles Sri Lanka map has detailed town maps of Colombo, Kandy, Galle and Anuradhapura. Good detailed maps are also available from the Survey Department at Kirula Road, Colombo 5 – Tel: 011 258 5111 (take your passport). The Insight Fleximap Sri Lanka combines clear cartography with informative text and photos illustrating the destination's top sights. Its easy-to-fold laminated finish makes it ideal in any weather. Maps of Sri Lanka can be purchased in the UK from Stanfords, 12/14 Long Acre, Covent Garden. London WC2E 9LP, Tel: 020 7836 1321; www.stanfords.co.uk They have branches in Bristol and Manchester. What to do in Sri Lanka Art Galleries, Nightlife, Ayurveda Resorts, Sport and the Outdoors Art Galleries * Barefoot 706, Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 258 0114 www.barefoot.lk A treasure trove of art and artefacts, this wonderful shop is the ideal place to buy handicraft, ethnic wear, traditional jewellery, Sri Lankan books and other local items. The beautiful courtyard at the back of the shop, which is an art gallery in its own right, is the venue for many different art, sculpture and photography exhibitions. * Gallery Cafe 2 Alfred House Gardens, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 258 2162 The former offices of world-famous architect Geoffrey Bawa, this superb building hosts exhibitions by local artists and photographers. * Lionel Wendt Theatre 18 Guildford Crescent, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 269 5794 Colombo's main performing arts venue hosts occasional displays of photography and paintings by local and international artists. * National Art Gallery 101 Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 269 3965 Open daily except on poya days from 8am – 5pm Displays an extensive collection of 20th Century Sri Lankan art. * Sapumal Foundation 34/2 Barnes Place, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 269 5731 www.theserendibgallery.com/sapu-found Absorbing selection of Sri Lankan visual arts from the 1920s to the present, particularly focusing on work of the artists of the '43Group (of which the members laid the foundation for modern art in Sri Lanka). * Serendib Gallery 36 1/1 Rosmead Place, Colombo 7 Tel: 074 710 002 www.theserendibgallery.com A wide selection of Sri Lankan art and artifacts, from antiquity to the present day, are displayed here. English cinemas Mainstream Hollywood and other other English films are shown at the Majestic Cinema (Tel: 011 258 1759), on level 4 of the Majestic City shopping mall on Galle Road in Colombo 4. Some English-language blockbusters are also shown at Liberty Cinema (Tel: 232 5265), at 35 Dharmapala Mawatha in Colombo 3, while the British Council occasionally screens art-house movies.
Nightlife Sri Lanka is not the ideal venue for those seeking raucous, over-the-top after-dark entertainment but it does have its fair share of midnight fun. Most of the nightlife that is available is centered in and around Colombo. You can also dance the night away in outstation beach resorts such as Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Negombo. In Colombo * Bistro Latino R.A. De Mel Mawatha (Duplication Road), Colombo 4 Tel: 011 2492492 This Latin-themed venue has earned a name for itself over a relatively short period of time thanks to its colourful decor, groovy Latin music, relaxed and friendly atmosphere, free salsa lessons on Thursdays and one of the only Mexican food outlets. * Clancy's Irish Pub & Restaurant 29 Maitland Crescent, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 537 8017 Although not very Irish as the name may denote, this continues to be one of Colombo's most unpretentious and popular drinking venues. It contains live music played regularly, a number of pool tables and pub food of a reasonable standard. * Cricket Club Cafe 34 Queen's Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 250 1384 This cafe is a popular venue with both locals and expatriates and gets packed at most evenings. Its rustic little bar is one of the biggest draws specially with cricket enthusiasts. * Tantra 42 Sir Mohamed Marcan Markar Mawatha, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 471 4788 One of Colombo's hottest venues, this open-air rooftop bar features a comprehensive drinks list, good live music performed on most nights, impressive views of the city and a chic local crowd. * Rhythm and Blues Bar Daisy Villa Avenue, R.A. De Mel Mawatha (Duplication Road), Colombo 4 Tel: 011 536 3859 This live music venue, which had been established a long time ago, features various acts most nights of the week. Casinos The city of Colombo contains many casinos which provide alternative nightlife venues for those who want to try their luck at the gaming tables. All of them offer roulette, blackjack and baccarat. Free drinks and snacks are available to players at these clubs while some casinos offer buffet dinners and live music too. All casinos are closed on Poya days. * Bally's Club 14 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 257 3497 * Bellagio 430 R.A.de Mel Mawatha, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 257 5271 * MGM Grand Casino 772 Galle Road, Colombo 4 Tel: 011 259 1319 * Ritz Club 4 Galle Face Terrace, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 234 1496 * Star Dust Club 5th Lane, Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 257 3493 Eating Out Recommended restaurants, cafes and bars What to eat Sri Lanka has a wide and varied cuisine where a host of local ingredients combine to provide gastronomic delights with their own distinctive and delicious blend of flavors. Rice and curry is the staple diet in the country and Sri Lankans would gladly eat it three times a day, of course with a different combination of meat, fish and vegetables flavored with a heady blend of coconut cream and fragrant spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, chillies, lemon grass, cumin, curry leaves, coriander and tamarind. Learning to eat rice and curry with your fingers can be a nice experience; observe the locals to pick up some tips. There is an array of mouth-watering desserts, sweetmeats and snack foods in Sri Lanka. Don't neglect to try out some of these indigenous foods. String hoppers and hoppers are some of the favorites among locals. Many foreigners have fallen in love with Sri Lankan food over the years. If you happen to fall into this category, there is the Ceylon Daily News Cookery Book of which you could obtain a copy to take home with you, so that you could try out some of the recipes after returning home. This is one of the best known cookery books in the island with a wide range of recipes and is available in a travel-friendly format. * Banana Leaf 86 Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 258 4403 Cheap and cheerful cafe serving a decent range of Sri Lankan food including delicious crab. Banana leaves are used as plates to serve food. * Chesa Swiss 3 Deal Place A, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 257 3433 One of the best restaurants in Colombo, set in a charming colonial villa and offering a sumptuously prepared range of Swiss food, Australian steaks, seafood and vegetarian dishes. Open only for dinner and is closed on poya days and Mondays. * Crescat Boulevard 89 Galle Road, Colombo 3 This lively food court is in the basement of the Crescat shopping mall. It is crammed full of stalls selling everything from pizza and ice-cream to Sri Lankan and Mongolian specialties. A fun place to have lunch. * Cricket Club 34 Queen's Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 250 1384 Cricket Club is a popular cricket-themed bar/cafe/restaurant in an old colonial villa. Watch videos of famous matches and feast your eyes on the memorabilia plastered all over the walls as you tuck into one of the cafe's well-prepared international delicacies – the fare includes burgers, pasta dishes and sandwiches. * Gallery Cafe 2 Alfred House Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 258 2162 One of the most beautiful cafes in Colombo- this is a place which offers good international cuisine. Or just drop in for a drink and you will come across the people of Colombo enjoying themselves. * Green Cabin 453 Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 228 8811 Excellent Sri Lankan cafe and a nice place to check out local cuisine and a wide variety of meals - rice and curry, lamprais and hoppers – is available at quite low prices. * Peach Valley 27 Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha (Flower Road), Colombo 7 Tel: 011 267 2888 Chinese restaurant situated in an old colonial villa with a range of well-prepared dishes at reasonable rates. This place has a significant number of local clientèle too. * Sakura 14 Rheinland Place, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 257 3877 Cute little Japanese restaurant with an informal cafe-like atmosphere, kitsch oriental décor and a surprisingly wide range of dishes covering almost the full spectrum of Japanese cuisine. * Sea Fish Restaurant 15 Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2 Tel: 011 232 6915 Cozy and unpretentious seafood restaurant with a mainly local clientèle and a fair range of moderately priced but well-prepared fish and seafood dishes. Shopping in Colombo What to buy Sri Lanka is an excellent shopping destination for clothes, household items, tea and spices. If you have foreign currency, you should be able to buy a whole cartload of goods at 'dirt cheap' rates. The conversion rate between the rupee and most foreign currencies will ensure that you are able to buy good quality items at a much lower rate. However, be careful when buying brand name items. Clothes, with designer labels, are a risk to buy as the country has a booming market for fake 'designer goods'. Fake labelled goods such as Armani, Gucci, CK Jeans and Tommi Hilfiger are sold on pavement stalls at prices which are a fraction of the real price. Invariably, these low quality goods are produced by unlicensed manufacturers and are not the authentic original product. Other goods that are worth buying are tea, spices, handlooms, masks, carvings and gems such as moonstones. However, be aware about buying good quality gems and jewellery before you proceed with such purchases. When travelling outside Colombo, opt for items which may be unique to a certain area. Some areas of the country might be well known for producing certain goods and such items may offer better quality and lower prices. Ex. Galle is famous for traditional hand-made lace. You would find elderly women selling their marvellous creations outside on the ramparts. Likewise, Veveldeniya on the Kandy Road is famous for handwoven reed ware such as reed baskets. Ambalangoda is the centre of traditional Sri Lankan mask-carving and although masks could be bought from anywhere in the island, this southern coastal town is where you would find the best available at more reasonable prices. Note that the export of antiques (defined as anything over 50 years old) and animal or marine products is illegal unless you can produce the relevant export licences. Contact the Sri Lanka Tourist Board for details.
Clothes * Barefoot 704 Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 258 9305 www.barefoot.lk Exclusive range of stylishly simple garments in vivid cottons and linens created by Sri Lankan artist and designer Barbara Sansoni. A wide selection of other gifts and an excellent bookshop are also available here. There is also a courtyard cafe and an interesting gallery at the rear. * House of Fashions R.A. De Mel Mawatha (Duplication Road), Colombo 4 This huge and enormously popular multi-storey emporium acts as a clearing house for Sri Lanka's garment industry. They sell vast quantities of clothes intended for the foreign labels at give-away prices. * Odel 5 Alexandra Place, off De Soysa Circus (Lipton Circus), Colombo 7 Tel: 011 268 2712 www.odel.lk The only department store of the city, Odel, houses an excellent selection of bargain designer clothing. They also offer books, tea and knick-knacks. There are several other branches in Colombo; at Majestic City and Crescat; at the Bandaranaike International Airport; as well in suburbs such as Kohuwela and Ja-ela. Gifts * Lakmedura 113 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 232 8900 Large and pleasant shop selling a wide selection of mainstream tourist souvenirs from wooden model rickshaws and masks to fine silver metalwork. * Paradise Road 213 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 268 6043 One of Colombo's most fashionable shopping haunts, this attractive little emporium has an appealing range of fancy household items, decorative knick-knacks and stylish souvenirs. The Trans Asia Hotel and The Gallery Cafe also have branches of this delightful store. Books * Barefoot Bookshop 704 Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 258 9305 www.barefoot.lk One of the best bookshops in Colombo, this contains a fascinating selection of everything from mainstream western blockbusters to beautiful coffee-table books. They also provide a huge range of titles on Sri Lankan subjects. * Bookland 430-432 Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 256 5248 Contains a decent selection of English titles. * Vijitha Yapa Bookshop Unity Plaza, 376 Galle Road, Colombo 4 Tel: 259 6960 www.vijithayapa.com Sri Lanka's only national chain of bookstores, most of which stock a reasonable selection of English-language novels and a wide range of Sri Lanka-related titles. There are several other branches in Colombo, at Crescat Boulevard and Thurstan Road plus branches in Negombo, Kandy, Galle and Matara. Gems and Jewellery You need permits from the Controller of Exchange, Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the Controller of Imports and Exports, National Mutual Building, Chatham Street, Colombo 1to export gems which you may have received as gifts. * Colombo Jewellery Stores 1 Alfred House Gardens, Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 259 7584 * Hemachandra Brothers 229 Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 232 5147 * Zam Gems 81 Galle Road, Colombo 4 Tel: 011 258 9090 * Manika 34 Galle Face Shopping Village, Galle Face Hotel, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 242 2522 Tea and Spices • Mlesna, the main tea shop of the island, has branches throughout Colombo and are also available at the airport duty-free. Shopping malls * Majestic City Galle Road, Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4 Large and tourist friendly with lots of clothes, shoe and gift shops. Includes a couple of well set-up photo labs, a Cargills supermarket and food court, and the city's best English-language cinema. * Crescat Boulevard Galle Road, Colombo 3 A shopping mall, with a series of upmarket outlets including a Vijitha Yapa Bookshop, Hameedia's, Mlesna teashop, a Keells supermarket and an excellent basement food court.
Sports Sri Lankans are generally sports-loving people and they are passionate about some sports such as cricket and rugby. Foreign visitors can also get a taste of this passion as most sports clubs and associations in the country accept foreigners as temporary members. Most major hotels in the country also have swimming pools and tennis courts where visitors can indulge in sporting activities. Cricket Cricket is much more than a passion in Sri Lanka; it's an obsession throughout the country and the exploits of the national team are religiously followed by almost every man, woman, boy and girl in the country. Whether rural or urban, almost everyone knows the rules of the game and how it's played. Test matches are played usually at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo 7, Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy and at the Galle Stadium which was newly reconstructed after being devastated by the 2004 tsunami. One-day matches are played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy and the Rangiri Dambulu Stadium at Dambulla. Tickets for matches are available at individual venues. Cricket clubs which accept temporary foreign members include: * Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) 29 Maitland Place, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 269 5293 * Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club Reid Avenue, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 269 1419 Fishing * Department of Wildlife Conservation 18 Gregory's Road, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 269 4241 * The Ceylon Anglers Club Chaitya Road, Colombo 1 Tel: 242 1752 Temporary members are accepted into this club which can provide a wealth of information regarding fishing throughout the country. Deep-sea Fishing Rainbow Boat House, National Holiday Resort, Bentota Tel: 034 227 5383 Golf Three beautiful championship-standard golf courses are located in Sri Lankan – in Colombo, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy. The greens fees, the rate that is charged to play at the course, differs according to the course. Compared to most other countries, these freens fee's are an absolute bargain. The Royal Colombo Golf Club Model Farm Road, Colombo 8 Tel: 011 269 5431 www.royalcolombogolf.com * Nuwara Eliya Golf Club Tel: 052 223 4360 Fax: 052 222 2835 * Victoria Golf Club Rajawella, Kandy Tel: 081 2 376 376 www.srilankagolf.com Mountain Biking Mountain biking expeditions are organised by most tour operators in the country. Adventure Sports Lanka (Contact No. 011 279 1584) is one of the leaders with the most experience and knowledge when it comes to operating the island on two wheels. Tennis * Sri Lanka Tennis Association 45 Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 268 6174 * The Women's International Club 16 Guildford Crescent, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 269 5072 * Orient Club Race Course Avenue, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 269 5068 Water sports and Whitewater Rafting Bentota is the main and the most popular venue for water sports on the island. A range of sporting activities are available by sport operators who offer everything from banana boating to jet-skiing and windsurfing. The best whitewater rafting site is found at Kitulgala in the hill country; the Kitulgala Rest House and Plantation Hotel are some of the parties organising trips along the rapids there. For specialised kayaking and whitewater rafting trips, contact Adventure Sports Lanka (011 279 1584) Swimming Most hotels in the island have swimming pools which could generally be used by non-guests for a fee. There are also many clubs which offer membership and the use of their facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, squash courts and bars. * Otter Aquatic Club 380/1 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 269 2308 * Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) 35 Maitland Place, Colombo 7 Tel: 011 269 5362 * Kinross Swimming Cub 10 Station Avenue, Colombo 6 Tel: 011 258 6461 Sea bathing, lifesaving skills and skin diving are also taught here. * Colombo Swimming Club Storm Lodge, Galle Road, Colpetty Tel: 011 242 1645 Temporary membership is available here. Rowing * Colombo Rowing Club 51 Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2 Tel: 011 243 3758 Only a five-minute walk from the Trans Asia Hotel. Scuba Diving There are reputable and long-standing diving operators found around the coast. They all offer PADI courses and individual dives for those of all standards. A three-day Open-Water PADI course will cost above $350 while an individual dive would cost above $30. The following are the most reputed diving operators in the island: * International Diving School 330 Galle Road, Hikkaduwa Tel: 072 223 1683 * Submarine Diving School Unawatuna Tel: 091 438 0358 * Ypsylon Dive School Beruwela Tel: 034 227 6132 www.ypsylon-srilanka.de Surfing The island's top surfing spot is the east coast village of Arugam Bay, while good waves are also found at Hikkaduwa and Midigama. The best times for surfing are from around May to October at Arugam Bay and from November to April at Hikkaduwa. All these areas have well-equipped surf shops which rent out surfboards, carry out board repairs and arrange surf safaris to various spots around the coast. Several guest houses also rent out rooms. Yachting and Coastal Cruising * Ceylon Motor Yacht Club Indebedda Road, Bolgoda Road, Moratuwa Sailing, windsurfing and swimming available here. * Kelani Yacht Co. 1a Dharmaraja Mawatha, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 258 7507 A good spot for coastal cruising.
National park tours Many tour operators and hotels arrange guided tours of the country's national parks. The cost of the tour includes transport to and from the site. Admission to any national park is the same per person and there is an obligatory fee for the tracker who accompanies visitors into the park. For a guided tour in relative comfort and safety, a four-wheel drive could be hired for an additional fee. Disembarking from vehicles is strictly prohibited inside the parks unless at specially designated points. Around 6.30am or after 3.30pm are the best times of the day to view the wildlife in the park. It's also possible to stay inside the lodges or camps located within most of the national parks but you must book accommodation in these areas well in advance as they tend to get reserved. Lodging is best booked in groups of up to 10, and each person has to bring their own linen, dry rations and kerosene. Besides the charge per person per night, they also have a service charge per stay and the entry fee for the park. Contact the Department of Wildlife Conservation, 18 Gregory's Road, Colombo 7, Tel: 011 269 4241, email: wildlife@slt.lk Cultural Triangle Tours The best way to visit the Cultural Triangle is to be a part of a guided tour. The tour operators will get the permits/ entrance tickets, etc. that are necessary for the visits. If you are traveling independently buy a round ticket which will cover entry to all the main sites in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Kandy, Medirigiriya, Nalanda and Ritigala. These round tickets are for one day's admission and must be used within 14 days of purchase. These tickets can be bought in Colombo from the Cultural Triangle Office, Atapattu Building, 11 Independence Avenue, Colombo 7 (Tel: 011 267 9921). Ticket offices are also located at Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Nalanda and Kandy. Group tickets as well as individual tickets can be bought from them. Children under 12 get admission at half price. Practical Information Begging – A few beggars can be seen on the streets of Colombo. They usually loiter around shopping malls, train stations, temples and at other public venues. Some of these are genuine beggars but a hefty number of them operate as part of a larger begging racket. Such rackets operate mainly in Colombo and even children are involved. Genuine beggars love to receive food of any sort as they can eat it on the spot. If you don't welcome the idea of giving money to beggars, it's better to carry some food such as fruit to be given to them. Body language – As in many parts of the world, a vertical nod of the head means 'yes' (positive) and a horizontal nod means 'no' (negative). However, the famous 'waggle' of the head (a cross between a nod and a shake with the chin pointed outwards) seems to be a feature common to the Indian subcontinent. It could be baffling to foreigners but it usually means a simple 'yes' or 'okay'. Never shake hands with a Buddhist monk or Hindu priest. The traditional and courteous way of greeting them is to join your hands as if in prayer and raising them to your forehead. When offering something to a monk, an elderly or other exalted person, offer it with both hands to show that you honour and respect that person. Gifts of money to religious persons should be placed directly in the temple box/till provided for that reason. When seated in the company of a Buddhist monk, try to sit at a lower level than him and never point your toes in his direction which is considered as a mark of disrespect. Most Sri Lankans don't use cutlery unless they are attending a special function at a hotel-like venue. They eat directly with their fingers but food is always handled with the right hand. The same theory applies when handing things over to another person; either the right hand or both hands are used. Business hours – All government offices and most private sector organisations operate five days of the week, from Monday to Friday. The opening and closing hours differ, but are generally in the range of 8.30-9.30am to 4.30-5.30pm. Some private sector organisations work a half-day on Saturday. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9.00/9.30am to 5.00/5.30pm; some branches of some banks may be open on Saturday too, if only till mid-afternoon. Major post offices are generally open from Monday to Saturday and for longer hours (typically around 7.00am-8.00pm). Almost all shops and banks close on public holidays. Most shops, especially in Colombo, are also closed on Sunday. Major supermarkets in the city, such as Keells and Cargills, have branches all over the country. They are kept open until about 8.00pm or even later everyday. They close only on certain public holidays. In smaller towns, the shopping hours depend on the shopkeepers; shops may be open or closed depending on the whims and fancies of the owner. Children – Children hold a very special place in Sri Lanka and one finds parents, relatives and compete strangers doting on children. Restaurants take extra care to cater to children while most hotels and guest houses have family rooms. Baby food and disposable nappies are available in most major supermarkets, but may be very expensive. It's better to bring baby feeding bottles as those of a good standard are hard to find. Children's clothing is easy to find, cheap to buy and those made of cotton will be ideal for children to wear. Communication – Most major hotels are equipped with telephones that allow direct international dialing facilities, though their rates for local and international calls are relatively high. A cheaper alternative would be to seek the services of a 'communication centre' which could be found almost anywhere in the island. They also offer fax and photocopy services. International access codes are: AT&T 430 430 MCI 440 100 Sprint (01) 458 000 Numerous internet cafes are also available in almost parts of the country. One of the more reputed cafes is: TheCafe@inter.net 491 Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 250 8266 Email: cafe@isplanka.lk Mobile phones can be rented for shorter periods from one of the operators in the country. These include: * Dialog GSM/MTN Networks 475, Union Place, Colombo 2 Tel: 0777 678 678 Fax: 0112 678 698 www.dialog.lk * Mobitel (Pvt) Ltd 3rd Floor, 108 W.A. Ramanayake Mawatha, Colombo 2 Tel: 0712 755777 Fax: 0112 330396 www.mobitellanka.com * Hutchison Telecommunications Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. 234 Galle Road, Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4 Tel: 078 863 2632 Fax: 0788 632 188 www.hutch.lk • * Tigo 05 R.A. De Mel Mawatha, Colombo 4 Tel: 072 2541541 Fax: 072 2541145 www.tigo.lk * Airtel 598, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 5 Te: 075 5 555 555 Fax: 075 5 755 755 www.airtel.lk
Crime and Safety Now that the war has ended, Sri Lanka is a safe destination for tourists. Petty crimes are not that frequent and violent crimes against tourists rarely take place. However, it's always wise to practise caution. Always use your common sense when getting around the country. Some points to keep in mind: Never accept lifts from strangers; keep away from dark and deserted places such as beaches at night; never flash valuables or leave them lying around. The security situation in Sri Lanka may have improved but if you plan to travel to the north or the east of the country, always check with the relevant authorities and seek necessary permission; avoid these areas as much as possible. The traffic situation poses one of the most serious safety hazards in the island. Be at a high level of alert when you are on the road, whether in a vehicle or on foot. You have to be extra careful of the buses on the road. Be extremely cautious around bus stops as bus drivers would suddenly cut in front of you without any prior indication if they see passengers ready to board the bus at the stop. Passengers would also run across the road with no regard for traffic on the road when they see their bus arriving. Take extra caution if you are cycling on the road. You should also take care when swimming specially in places which are not designated sites for swimming. Many locals as well as the occasional tourist have drowned every year by swimming in dangerous spots in the island. Never swim in places where warnings have been fixed about the dangers of swimming. If swimming off an unfrequented beach or isolated lake, always check with the locals about the possibility of swimming there and make sure someone knows exactly you are. Never, ever swim under the influence of alcohol. Useful phone numbers - Police – 011 243 3333 Fire Department – 011 242 2222 Accident Service – 011 269 1111 Red Cross Ambulances – 269 5434/269 1095 Railway Tourist Information Centre – 011 243 5838 Central Bus Station – 011 232 8081 Colombo General Hospital – 011 269 1111 Flight Information – 019 733 2677 Tourist Information - 011 243 7571 Information Centres - * Colombo Sri Lanka Tourism Head Office 80 Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 243 7055 Fax: 011 244 0001 Email: tourinfo@sri.lanka.net www.lanka.net/ctb * Kandy Information Centre 16 Deva Vidiya Tel: 081 222 2661 * Bandaranaike International Airport Airport Information Centre Tel: 011 225 2411 * London Tourist Office 26-27 Clareville House, Oxendon Street, London SW1Y 4EL Tel: 020 7930 2627 Fax: 020 7930 9070 Email: srilankatourism@aol.com The following websites publish up-to-date travel advisories: www.smartraveller.gov.au www.fco.gov.uk www.travel.state.gov/travel_warnings Disabled Travellers Those with physical disabilities will find the going a bit tough in Sri Lanka. The country is not very well equipped to cater to them although the people are friendly and helpful and would go out of their way to help a disabled person. Only a few five star hotels have such basic requirements as wheelchair access. Such facilities are almost non-existent in the public transport sector so a car and a driver would be essential for a guest with a disability. Wheelchairs as well as a passenger Meet and Greet Service is available at the Bandaranaike International Airport, but will have to be organised with a prior request made through the airlines. Electricity Sri Lanka uses 230-240 volts, 50 cycles, alternating current. A large part of the island's electricity is generated through hydro reservoirs so power cuts are witnessed sometimes during long periods of drought although most hotels run on generators at such times. Rural and remote areas may not have access to generators and may therefore have to endure such power cuts. Most power sockets are three-pronged, but adaptors are cheap and readily available from most hardware stores. If you have a laptop computer with you, it's better to bring your own stabiliser as electricity fluctuations are rather common even in the main cities. A laptop plug and adaptor are also additional equipment that you may find handy. Some Sri Lankan Embassies Abroad * Australia Sri Lankan High Commission, 35 Empire Circuit, Forest, Canberra ACT 2603 Tel: 02 6239 7041 * Canada Sri Lankan Commission, Suite 1204 333 Laurier Ave West, Ottawa, Ontario KIP 1C1 Tel: 613 233 8449 * Germany Sri Lankan Embassy, Niklasstrasse 19, 14163, Berlin Tel: 030 80 909749 * United Kingdom Sri Lankan High Commission, 13 Hyde Park Gardens, London W2 2LU Tel: 020 7262 1841 * United States Embassy of Sri Lanka, 2148 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008 Tel: 202 483 4025
Health Sri Lanka boasts relatively high health standards compared to most other countries in the region and some of its health facilities are on par with those of more developed nations. Certificates of immunization are not required by officials unless they have travelled through some area where there is a high prevalence of some infectious disease. Travellers are required to have the standard vaccinations in place. Cholera immunization is also suggested. Anti-malaria tablets, as prescribed by your doctor, should be started about a week before your planned arrival in the island and continued at least two weeks after your departure from the country. However, malaria is prevalent only in some areas of the country, but precautionary measures are always advised. Other mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya are very common in Sri Lanka so mosquito repellents are always a handy item to have in your luggage. A quite effective natural mosquito repellent, which is widely and easily available from local pharmacies and supermarkets, is citronella oil. Sun and heat The sun and the heat could be quite intense not to say dangerous, specially towards mid-afternoon. This could lead to sunburn and even sunstroke and the possibility is very real in lowland Sri Lanka. No matter whether you are sunbathing in a beach or exploring ancient monuments in one of the heritage cities, always carry water. The best option is to avoid the sun altogether when it's at its peak, however if you do have to go out at this time, ensure that you are covered with a good quality sunscreen having a maximum sun protection factor. A large hat, umbrella and a pair of sunglasses are also in order. If you start suffering from the effects of too much exposure to the sun such as nausea, dizziness and headaches, find a shady spot where you can take a rest, drink something cool, eat some salt, bathe your face in some cold water and close your eyes and relax a bit. Avoiding dehydration is the vital factor and the best way to do this is by drinking plenty of liquids. Tap water may be contaminated so don't drink tap water unless you absolutely must. Stick to bottled water unless you know for a fact that tap water has been boiled. Although most restaurants claim that their table water is boiled, it's always better to opt for bottled water, bottled or canned fruit juices or carbonated soft drinks. Be careful about using ice as it may also have been made in most instances using ordinary tap water. Ice made with filtered and purified is sold by the bag for home use; these are a safe option. Avoid cordials and fresh fruit juices specially those sold in wayside boutiques as they are normally made with ordinary tap water if not worse. Mineral water is available at most restaurants and all supermarkets. Buy small bottles which are easy to carry around when you are going out. The safest and most nutritious drink that is available in the country is king coconut water (thambili) which could be drunk straight off its shell. It has no chance of getting contaminated, is a great thirst quencher, has remarkable rehydrating properties and is available anywhere in the island quite cheaply. Stomach upsets Although not as common as in some other parts of the subcontinent, diarrhoea can affect a large number of foreign visitors to the country. What's more this can completely ruin a perfectly planned holiday. However, this disease could be avoided if you take the necessary precautions such as washing fruit with bottled water and peeling them before consuming, drinking and eating only from “clean” places which are not fly-infested and avoiding raw vegetables unless they have been washed with boiled or bottled water. Carrying some medication such as Lomatil or Pepto-Bismal is also advised for those who are prone to 'Delhi-Belly'. Medical Services Most Sri Lankan hotels have a doctor on call while a referral list is provided by most embassies. There are state maintained general hospitals in Colombo (Tel: 011 269 1111), Kandy (081 222 2170), Negombo (031 222 2261) and Galle (091 222 2261), and although most doctors are British-qualified, the hospitals may be very crowded while some may even lack proper facilities. Foreigners are also required to pay for certain services. The country has many private hospitals which are well-staffed, comfortable and are generally well-maintained and run. Some of these private hospitals are Asiri Hospital, 181 Kirula Road, Colombo 5 (Tel: 250 0608), Nawaloka, 23 Sri Sugathodaya Mawatha, Colombo 2 (Tel: 011 254 4444), Oasis Hospital, 18A M.E.D. Dabare Mawatha, Narahenpita, Colombo 5 (Tel: 011 236 9113). Pharmacies Most western medicines as well as their cheaper Indian substitutes are available in Sri Lanka. Always check the label for where a product has been made, expiry date and side effect before you take anything. The pharmacy at Asiri Hospital, 181 Kirula Road, Colombo 5 is open till quite late while the Osusala Pharmacy in Colombo (Tel: 011 269 4716) is open 24 hours of the day. Media Sri Lanka has three daily newspapers, one midweek newspaper and five Sunday papers printed in English. All of these are available from newsstands, pavement hawkers and some shops although some may be a bit difficult to find in certain areas. The Daily News (www.dailynews.lk) and the Sunday Observer (www.sundayobserver.lk) are printed by the state-controlled Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. It is the largest print media organisation in the country putting out a large number of periodicals in all three languages used in the country. Private newspapers comprise The Island (www.island.lk) and its Sunday edition, The Sunday Island; Daily Mirror (www.dailymirror.lk) and its sister publication The Sunday Times (www.sundaytimes.lk); The Sunday Leader (www.thesundayleader.lk) and its midweek edition which comes out on Wednesday, The Morning Leader (www.themorningleader.lk); The Nation (www.nation.lk) and Lakbima News (www.lakbimanews.lk). Most hotels and reputable bookshops in the island stock international magazines such as Time, Newsweek, The Economist and The Far Eastern Economic Review. Although some foreign newspapers are available in Sri Lanka, they take some time arriving there so it's easier to read them online. There are some surprisingly good English-language radio stations available in the country, although some of them may not be very clear out of Colombo. A few of these are the state-controlled Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, TNL Radio (101.7 FM/ www.tnlradio.com), YesFM (89.5 FM/ www.yesfmonline.com), SunFM (99.9 FM), EFM which broadcast a selection of mainstream pop and rock music intermingled with cheesy chat throughout the day. There are also two radio stations which play good golden oldies – TNL Lite and Gold FM. It is unlikely that you would find to hold your attention on Sri Lankan television. Although the number of television channels is quite large for a country of this size, the fare dished out leaves much to be desired. Most of the programmes are in Sinhala and Tamil anyway and whatever English programmes that are telecast are not the sort that would excite a foreigner. Most upmarket hotels have satellite television channels which telecast channels such as BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, HBO, Cinemax, MTV and Discovery.
Photography Colour print film is widely available, although checking the sell-by date is always a wise gesture. Also, avoid buying film which may have been sitting in bright sunlight, over-exposure to sunlight may have damaged the film. Only specialist photographic shops and vendors stock slide film and black-and-white film. It may be difficult to locate these outside Colombo so it's better to carry your own. There are quite a few specialist camera shops in Colombo in case you want to get a camera repaired. Many places in Colombo and the main cities offer one-hour or overnight photo printing services – some of the best places are the photo labs at Cargills at Fort or in the basement of Majestic City, Colombo 4. The heat and humidity can damage the delicate mechanisms of camera and video equipment so keep them in their cases along with the moisture-absorbent silica jell crystals when they are not in use. Postal services Despite being rather cheap, the postal service is not reliable and it's best to register urgent post. When sending airmail letters with stamps, it's best to make sure that they are franked in your presence. All overseas packages should be stamped with a green Customs label stating the contents and their value. Post offices in the country work from 7.00am to 5.00/6.00pm on Monday-Friday and from 9.00am to 6.00pm on Saturday. Mail is delivered around the country every day except on Sundays and public holidays. The simplest way to mail anything is through your hotel, or you could do it yourself through a postal agency. There are also many reliable domestic and international courier services, including the following: * DHL 130 Glennie Street, Colombo 2 Tel: 011 479 8600 * TNT 315 Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2 Tel: 011 230 8444 * FedEX 300 Galle Road, Colombo 3 Tel: 011 452 2222 Tipping A 10 per cent service charge is generally automatically added to the bill by hotels and restaurants, but since this goes to the establishment, you might add an extra 10 per cent tip to the bill for the person who serves you. A daily tip is also expected by chauffeurs and guides but there is no fixed amount here. This could range between five and 10 dollars per day depending on their skills and helpfulness. Those showing you around sacred places such as temples will expect a small tip in the region of Rs. 50-100. One thing you should keep in mind is never to hand over money to monks, which is considered inappropriate. Place the money in the donation box found at most temple premises. Tipping for other services is not generally expected, unless someone has really has out of his/her way to help you and you feel that a tip is the least you could do. Toilets Traditional Asian-style squat toilets are rather rare in Sri Lanka apart from in the rural areas, and the most widely available are Western-style toilets. However, public toilets are extremely difficult to come by and even those that do exist are not very clean or hygienic, so the best option in case of an emergency is to head to the nearest decent hotel. Toilets in better grade restaurants and hotels are kept relatively clean, well-maintained and stocked with paper although you may do well to carry your own supply. Touts and Con Artists Touts are quite common in most major towns and all tourist sites. You will find that most of the time they are trying to get you to ride in their trishaw, book you into a guest house of their choice or take you to a shop or eatery where they will get a commission for bringing a guest. They can generally be gotten ride of with a firm, but polite refusal. One other thing to keep in mind, sometimes touts may try to discourage you from visiting a certain place or staying at a certain hotel etc. by claiming that it's closed for renovations or not of good quality or standard. They may have an ulterior motive of doing this in order to promote a competitor from whom they get a commission. In such instances it's better to check out the place yourself rather than taking their word for it. Worse than these are the con artists who are found hanging around places such as the Fort area in Colombo and Galle, Galle face Green and Kandy Lake. They will try every trick in the book to make you part with your money. Soliciting donations for charities that do not exist, taking you for a trishaw ride or to visit some 'festival' or the other and charging an absurdly high price, various scams involving free or cheap tea or gems, taking you for a drink and landing you with a massively inflated bill (in connivance with the barman, with whom they will share the 'profit'), requests for you to buy expensive tins of milk powder for their starving or ailing family members or heart-rendering stories connected to the civil war or tsunami catastrophe are some of these common schemes nowadays. Websites providing information on Sri Lanka- Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka - www.visitsrilanka.org Official website of Sri Lanka Tourist Board – www.srilankatourism.org Official website of the Government of Sri Lanka with links to major government departments - www.priu.gov.lk Government website Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process - www.peaceinsrilanka.org Weights and measures The metric system is used in Sri Lanka and most roads are marked in kilometres. Women travellers Sri Lankan society is conservative, and a person's mode of dress is generally used to judge him/her as well to determine how a person would behave towards him/her. This is specially true with regard to women. If you don't want to get harassed or hassled, dress conservatively, at least away from the accepted and established tourist areas. Female travellers in tourist spots, especially in beaches, attract more attention than their male counterparts. They can be effectively repelled if you just walk away without any contact or comments. Eye contact of any sort may be considered as a 'come on' and should be avoided completely with men who are strangers. Women travellers may also be victims of opportunistic groping specially inside crowded buses or trains. If this happens, draw others' attention to your situation which is the best way to deal with it. Be wary of the male who comes and sits next to you when there are plenty of other seats available in the public transport. If he starts acting funny, and if you refuse or feel reluctant to move away, that may be taken as an invitation to take things further.
What to Bring You don't need to bring much on a tour of Sri Lanka as pretty much all you need, including mosquito coils to repel the nasty pests, torch, standard medication, condoms and such are easily available in the country and at relatively cheap rates. What you need to bring are tanning lotions and sunscreens as what suits you may not be available here. Also Western brands tend to be quite expensive in the island, so it's better to bring your own toiletries. Another must-have item is a travel wallet that you can wear under your clothing, although ordinary wallets and purses may be quite alright for Sri Lankans. If you have babies with you, it's better to have your own nappies as these are rather expensive in the island. Training pants are, however, a good alternative as it's quicker and easier to clean up children when they wrapped in less layers of clothing. The horrible condition of most roads and pavements in the country render pushchairs and prams useless; a better idea may be a strong, hands-free carrier. If travelling with children, other items that may come handy are small Tupperware containers to pack meals and a spray atomiser of mineral water to cool children effectively and quickly. Fabric mesh food cover may also double as a portable, mini mosquito net for babies. What to Wear Cottons and light natural fabrics such as linens are ideal for the heat of the lowland areas. Skimpy skirts and brief shorts should not be worn outside tourist areas as these are not considered as respectable. Clad in such garments, you may find yourself attracting unnecessary stares, and women may even find themselves being harassed. While visiting temples, the ideal mode of dress is loose and long cotton skirts or trousers with loose, long-sleeved blouses or long frocks for women, and trousers or traditional sarongs with modest shirts or t-shirts for men. A sun-hat, a good pair of sunglasses, and sandals, slippers or open shoes which are easy to slip on and off are also items that you should have with you. Don't forget to take a couple of light sweaters or sweatshirts if you intend to visit the cooler hill country. A sturdy pair of walking shoes or trainers will come in handy if activities such as hiking are on your itinerary. If you are travelling with children, bring loose cotton clothing for them and long-sleeved cotton tops to protect against mosquito bites. A sun-hat, which could be tied under the chin with straps is also a useful item. White garments may get dirty quickly so don't have too many of them unless you are prepared to do a lot of washing up during your holiday. Future Events * Esala Perahera The Esala Perahera or Dalada Perahera is held every July/August in Kandy and draws massive crowds comprising both foreigners and locals. This grand procession is held to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha which is held in veneration at the Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy. This ceremony is originally believed to have been carried out in Anuradhapura where the Tooth Relic was housed since 310 AD when it was brought to Sri Lanka from India. When the Relic was moved to the present Temple of the Tooth in Kandy in the 16th Century, the procession was moved there as well. The cultural and religious pageant is colourful and spectacular and enthralls everybody who are lucky enough to witness it. The many dancers, drummers, whip-crackers, torch-bearers, nilames (custodians of the Tooth Relic) dressed in traditional Sinhalese outfits and the caparisoned elephants parading the streets of Kandy are certainly a sight that one would never forget. The pageant comprises the Kumbal Perahera which would take place from July 27 – 31 and the Randoli Perahera which would be held from August 1- 5. It would culminate on the night of the 5th with the grand procession where the centre piece is the gaily decorated elephant, the Maligawa Tusker bearing the casket which contains the Sacred Tooth Relic. Hikkaduwa Beach Fest '09 An initiative of Sri Lanka Tourism, Hikkaduwa Beach Fest ’09, to be held from July 31 to August 1, is a fun fiesta for kids and adults. The southern coastal town of Hikkaduwa will come alive and vibrate to the pulsating rhythms of DJs, dancers, and musicians from many parts of the world and would be a magnet for all fun-loving people be they from Sri Lanka or abroad. Some of the activities that will add life and soul to the festival are sand-castle building, movie nights, food events and a jazz festival. National Festival of Kites The National Festival of Kites is held every September to encourage the creativity of Sri Lankan children and adults. Here, the sky is literally the limit with thousand of kites, creatively designed out of every conceivable material including colourful sarees and dried leaves, jostling with each other for a place in the sky. Competitions are organised for both children and adults at this delightful event organised at the Mount Lavinia Beach. Facets Sri Lanka During ancient times, Sri Lanka was known as the Land of Gems and the Facets Sri Lanka international gem and jewelery exhibition show us why. The premier show will be held from September 3 to 6 at the BMICH and would attract exhibitors, buyers and visitors from all corners of the world; a new group of participants from mainland China are expected to attend the show this year. Local and foreign booth reservations have already commenced at the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewelery Association Secretariat. Sri Lankan Airlines Golf Classic All you golf enthusiasts, get ready to tee off! The Victoria Golf Club located just outside Kandy, which has been rated among the 100 most beautiful golf courses in the world, is the venue for the Sri Lankan Airlines Golf Classic to be held in October. The amateur tournament held annually attracts the cream of Sri Lanka's golf enthusiasts as those from around the world. World Spice Festival The heady aroma of Sri Lankan spices waft in the air and fill the nostrils of all who attend the World Spice Festival held in November. The culinary festival will showcase the fusion of Sri Lankan spices and cooking methods as well as the talents of visiting chefs and signature spices from their home countries. Apart from the Sri Lankan delights, mouth-watering recipes from Africa, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia will tickle the taste buds of all visitors, be they local or foreign. The event was first organised by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board in 2005 and has grown in popularity over the years. The various restaurants and hotels throughout the city are the venues for the different events which are part of the festival. The spice bazaar held on the banks of the Beira Lake each evening during the festival also draws large crowds. Foreigners who are interested in attending these events are advised to check with the organisers about the actual happening of these events before making travel arrangements.