馃嵉 Sri Lanka

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 29% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

Tourists must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The application is made online through the official ETA site before the flight, and approval normally takes 1-3 days. Fee amounts can vary by nationality and have changed over time; sources disagree, so only the official site gives the current fee. Typical requirements include a passport valid for at least 6 months, enough funds, proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket. A payment sent to any website other than the official one will not count as valid for your ETA.

Culture - take note

Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist communities live alongside one another. At temples, wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, and remove shoes AND hats. Photos posed with one's back to a Buddha statue, and selfies with one, are forbidden and may result in arrest and deportation. Trouble can also result from tattoos or clothing that show Buddha images. Some places close and alcohol cannot be sold on Poya days (full moon). Giving and receiving should be done with the right hand. Antiques, coral, shells and wildlife must stay in the country. Be wary of elephant 'attractions' and pick ethical, observation-only places. Stick to bottled water for drinking. Popular trains should be booked early. The monsoon seasons vary by coast: roughly May-September in the south-west and roughly October-January in the north-east. Finding halal food is easy.

Emergency

Police 119. Ambulance 1990. Tourist police hotline 1912.

Good to know

Plugs and voltage

Sri Lanka Tourism lists the supply as 230 to 240 volts at 50 cycles AC, which is 50 hertz. The Public Utilities Commission names the Type G, 13-ampere square-pin plug and socket as the national standard, and says older 5-ampere round-pin sockets stay in use until worn out or August 2038, whichever comes first.

Tap water is not safe

Sri Lanka Tourism's travel tips page says tap water is not safe to drink and that the best solution is bottled water. It adds that the bottle should carry an SLS certification.

Rupees, cards and cash machines

The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. Sri Lanka Tourism says most hotels, restaurants and shopping centres take credit cards, that card surcharges are illegal, and that small notes help because change is hard to find. It says cash machines across the island accept international cards, while Canadian advice says some do not and credit card cash withdrawals can be difficult.

Local laws and customs

Buddha images, temples and alcohol

UK advice says disrespecting Buddhist images is a serious offence that can lead to arrest, visible Buddha tattoos can mean refused entry or deportation, and posing for photos in front of a Buddha statue should be avoided. At Buddhist temples, legs and shoulders must be covered and shoes and hats removed. Nude or topless sunbathing is not allowed. Canadian advice says alcohol cannot be bought on full-moon Poya days. UK advice says same-sex sexual activity is illegal, though it knows of no prosecutions.

Taxis and scams

Marked taxis and tuk-tuks

Officially marked taxis are the only ones Canadian advice recommends in Sri Lanka; it also says to confirm the fare beforehand when there is no meter and not to flag taxis down in the street. Reputable taxi companies booked through hotels or ride-sharing applications are also mentioned. With tuk-tuks, agree the fare before you set off. UK advice says taxi apps can be used, though they are less available outside tourist areas.

Online and card scams

Online scams are on the rise in Sri Lanka, according to Canadian advice, which lists romance and online dating scams, contracts that promise large commissions, and offers of jobs or work permits. Travellers can also be scammed after arriving to meet someone they know only online. Credit card fraud is common as well, and the advice is to shield your PIN.

Who can help

local government

Sri Lanka Tourist Police

Helps with: Sri Lanka Tourism's emergency page lists a Tourist Police number in Colombo for visitors, alongside the national police emergency hotline 118 / 119.

Who qualifies: Tourists and other visitors in Sri Lanka.

Phone: 011-2421052

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA)

Helps with: Sri Lanka's national tourism authority. Its tourism hotline 1912 gives visitor information, and its website links to a tourist complaints page.

Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Sri Lanka or planning a trip there.

Phone: 1912

Email: [email protected]

Address: No. 80, Galle Road, Colombo 03

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Suwasariya ambulance service (1990)

Helps with: A national ambulance service that Sri Lanka's tourism authority lists for tourists. Dial 1990 for an ambulance.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Sri Lanka, including tourists, who needs an ambulance.

Phone: 1990

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Sri Lanka Red Cross Society

Helps with: Sri Lanka's national Red Cross society. Its national headquarters is in Colombo, with contacts for 25 district branches listed on its site.

Who qualifies: People in Sri Lanka who need to reach the Red Cross national headquarters or a district branch.

Phone: +94 11 2694487

Address: 106, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Sri Lanka

Helps with: The UN migration agency's country office in Colombo. Contact it about migration matters in Sri Lanka.

Who qualifies: Migrants and organisations working on migration. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: +94 11 2112 600

Email: [email protected]

Address: 9th Floor, Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka Building, No. 80A, Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 08

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

embassy

Foreign embassies and high commissions in Sri Lanka (official list)

Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. The Sri Lankan foreign ministry's Diplomatic Corps page lists missions in Colombo with addresses and phones.

Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or high commission.

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

local government

Disaster Management Centre (DMC)

Helps with: Sri Lanka's national disaster management centre. Its call centre 117 is the public line for disasters, and it runs an emergency operation centre.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Sri Lanka affected by a disaster or reporting one.

Phone: 117

Official website

Source 路 checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Colombo ColomboModern shopping, temples, Galle Face Green and colonial buildings fill the commercial capital, which is also the main gateway.Photo: T Chamika, CC0 Galle GalleOn the south coast, this Dutch-built fort town has ramparts that can be walked, along with beaches nearby such as Unawatuna and boutique cafes.Photo: Rovin Shanila, CC BY-SA 4.0 Sigiriya SigiriyaRising from the jungle, this ancient rock fortress belongs to the Cultural Triangle, and Dambulla's cave temples are close by.Photo: Wrobell, CC BY-SA 3.0 Kandy KandyThe last Sinhalese kings ruled from this hill capital, which has a scenic lake and its Temple of the Tooth Relic.Photo: Ashan96, CC BY-SA 4.0 Ella EllaTea estates surround this cool village in the hills, where the Nine Arch Bridge, hiking in the mountains and a scenic train ride are the attractions.Photo: Dan arndt, CC BY-SA 4.0 Yala National Park Yala National ParkVisitors join jeep safaris in this popular south-eastern wildlife park to look for elephants, leopards and many kinds of birds.Photo: Ranmith Welikala, CC BY-SA 4.0

City selection based on: Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority departing-visitor survey (2024/25), as reported in the press

Festivals and events

culture

Sinhala and Tamil New Year

13-14 Apr 2027 路 Colombo

Over several days, many shops stay closed during this holiday for families.

religious

Vesak lanterns

around May 2027 路 Colombo

Streets are hung with lanterns, and dansal stalls hand out food for free.

religious

Kandy Esala Perahera

around Jul-Aug 2027 路 Kandy

Processions featuring decorated elephants are held for ten nights.