Capital: Colombo
Government: Democratic Republic
Local Time: 4.30 hours ahead of Spain in the summer and 3.30 hours ahead in the winter.
Language: The official languages are Sinhalese (74%) and Tamil (18%). English is widely used and thus considered to be the third language in the country.
Travellers’ Health - Recommendations: There are no compulsory vaccines, however in case of excursions to non-tourist areas malaria prophylaxis and the tetanus vaccine are recommended. However, please consult your nearest health centre. Taking with you intestinal disinfectants, antibiotics and diarrhoea relievers as well as sun block creams and anti-mosquito lotions is advisable. Make sure you always drink bottled mineral water while in the country.
Documentation required: Passport in force valid at least for three months beyond your intended period of stay for stays not exceeding 30 days. In addition, for these types of stays travellers will need to be able to provide a return fare and enough financial means to defray the costs of their intended stay (minimum 30USD/day in cash, travellers’ cheques and /or credit card.)
How to reach there: Sri Lanka can only be reached by air. Flying from European airports usually implies one stopover.
Sri Lanka only has one international airport: Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. The air carrier, SriLankan Airlines, reaches Colombo from various European cities, yet none in Spain. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian fly to Colombo stopping over in some European cities.
Transport: Travelling within the country is quiet easy using different means of transport. The country’s road and railway network is good and government means of transport are the cheapest in the world. Driving is on the left. Everything, from animals to carts, may be seen on the roads. Todo transita y circula por la vía pública.
If you are to hire a vehicle, hire it with driver whenever possible.
Plane: Flight connections between Colombo and other towns (Ratmalana, Trincomalee, Kandy, Galle, Kataragama, Polonnaruwa and Nuwara Eliya) are also available.
Train: Many tourist areas are connected by train from Colombo (Fort Railway Station). Trains are slow and rather old (beginning of the 20th century) but safe. There are several seat classes. Mid to long distance trains only offer second and third class seats. There are also Luxury Trains such as the Viceroy, the most attractive train travelling from Colombo to Kandy.
Currency / credit cards. Try to have Euro with you when you enter the country. Most tourist hotels, travel agencies, money exchange offices and cosmopolitan shops accept exchanging currency. The main credit cards are used, namely Visa and Master Card. The national currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee.
You are recommended to exchange foreign currency in any bank. In order to be able to exchange the SLK Rupees left before you leave the country, you need to keep the proofs for the currency exchange operations undertaken.
Climate: Tropical weather (27ºC to 32ºC on and around coastal areas, 17ºC to 20ºC in mountainous areas). Occasional low intensity monsoon rains. As the central mountain range acts as a partition screen, monsoon rains only affect the north-eastern coast from November to January and the south-western coast from May to July. During monsoon season, it rarely rains throughout the day and never every day.
What to wear: You are recommended to use light summer clothes suitable for tropical climates made of natural, light fibres (cotton). If you are to travel upcountry, also pack some warmer clothing (jumper, jacket) as temperatures may drop to about 15ºC at night. Please as a matter of respect when entering places of worship, wear decent, appropriate clothing, avoid shorts as well as above the knee, low cut and/ or sleeveless garments. You are advised to wear light, comfortable shoes easy to remove when visiting temples or when requested. Make sure to wear socks if you do not like walking barefoot. Nudism and going topless are absolutely forbidden.
Electricity: the electricity used is 220 Volts and 50 Hertz.
Shopping / Customs: Sri Lanka is a true shopping paradise for souvenirs and presents at bargain prices. Bargaining is commonplace, especially in small shops. Colourful batiks, wooden, copper, silver or gold handcrafts, ceramics, worldwide reputed Ceylon tea and reproductions of palm leaf (ola) books, are some of the items tourists treasure the most.
Gems and precious stones: the island’s subsoil contains a wide range of precious stones and gems: blue sapphires, cat’s eyes, rubies, amethysts, garnets…
Common Courtesy: In Temples, Mosques and holy places for local people, be respectful. Follow your guides’ directions. They will help you with details concerning your clothes and behaviour in each given place.
We will be moved by children’s smiles and requests, make sure you have pens, notebooks and sweets with you to distribute equal shares to all.
As travellers to countries where traditions and customs, where religion, life pace, food, habits in terms of order and cleanliness in towns and accommodation differ from ours, we may come across standards that, though usually good for the country, will be somewhat inadequate for us, including ants and other insects respected by some societies and cultures.
It is not about integrating to their way of living, but rather accepting and respecting the differences. Southeast Asian countries may strike the travellers enjoying a short holiday who will need to adjust to a new day-to-day pace, which will undoubtedly become an unforgettable experience worth remembering throughout the rest of their life.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
THE CONSULATE IN BARCELONA WILL OFFER YOU MORE DETAILS ABOUT YOUR TRIP
HONORARY CONSUL: SR AGUSTIN LLANAS
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER: 93 453 4402
ADDRESS: MALLORCA ,192
