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Banking Hours |
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| National banking hours are from 0900 hrs. to 1500 hours on weekdays. Banking hours may be different at private banks. Teller machines (ATMs) are operated throughout the day by most banks. |
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| Climate |
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| The southwest monsoon brings rain to the western, southern and central regions from May to July, while the northeastern monsoon occurs in the north and east in December and January. The weather is finest in the coastal regions and hill country of the southwest from October to March. The temperature in the lowlands averages 27 degrees Celsius. However, temperatures fall rapidly with altitude. In Kandy, the temperature on average is around 20 degrees Celsius and in Nuwara Eliya it is often below 15 degrees Celsius. |
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| Communications |
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| The general post office is situated in the city of Colombo. Other towns have central post offices. Privately run agency post offices, cyber cafes, communication centers also function throughout most of the country. |
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| Credit Cards |
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Credit Cards
Reputed credit and charge cards are widely accepted by shops in Sri Lanka. In some cases the shops may try to add a surcharge to the price of the merchandise purchased. This is not an acceptable practice and in such cases the card company should be contacted so that corrective action can be taken. These services are available at the Departure lounge and in Kandy and Colombo.
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| Currency |
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| One Sri Lankan Rupee is made up of 100 cents. Currency notes are in the denominations of Rs.10, Rs.20, Rs.50, Rs.100, Rs.200, Rs.500 and Rs. 1000. Coins are in the following denominations: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, one rupee, two rupees, five rupees and ten rupees. |
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| Health |
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| It is safer not to drink water from the tap though water in major towns is treated. Boiled water, bottled water and water and ice at reputed hotels are safe. Government run hospitals and a number of private hospitals are available in the event of an emergency. Most hospitals are well equipped with medical specialists on call at any time of day. Reputed hotels have a Doctor on call. |
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| Holidays |
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| In addition to Saturday and Sunday, the full moon day (Poya Day) of each month is a holiday in Sri Lanka. On Poya Days all places of entertainment are closed and no liquor is sold. Hotels make special arrangements for customers to order their liquor the day before Poya holiday. |
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| Newspapers |
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| National daily newspapers are published in English, Sinhala and Tamil languages and Magazine type editions during weekends. A comprehensive selection of international publications, newspapers, journals and magazines are available at newsagents, bookstalls and in hotel foyers. |
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| Photography and Video |
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| Photography and video filming often require permits at historical and sacred sites - it is advisable to check with the officials at each place. Film rolls and videotape are freely available in all main cities. |
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| Radio |
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| The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation operates radio transmissions in 9 Languages - Sinhala, Tamil, English, Hindi, Nepali, Kannada, Telungu, Malayalam and Japanese to listeners between 0530 hrs. and 2300 hrs. Other FM Service Transmissions are also available to listeners island wide. Please check daily newspapers for programmes. |
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| Safety |
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| To ensure the health and safety of all guests in Sri Lanka, every tourist hotel has to be equipped with equipment to manage illness and injury. To further ensure that safety standards are maintained, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board is equipping a fleet of ambulances that will be used to bring tourists from the hotel care centres to the closest large hospital or to the nearest point of evacuation if required. |
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| Shopping |
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| Sri Lanka offers good bargains in ceramics, garments, leather goods, gems etc. |
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| Telephone |
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| Card operated telephone booths and cyber cafes can be found in most towns. Cards can be obtained at the nearest shop or kiosk. Mobile telephone rentals are also freely available. |
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| Television |
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| There are 8 channels in operation - Rupavahini, Channel Eye, ITN, Sirasa TV, Channel 1 MTV, TNL, ArtTV and ETV. A wide variety of programmes covering various subjects are telecast on these channels that include news from BBC, Channel News Asia & CNN. Please refer daily press for programmes. |
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| Time Difference |
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| Sri Lanka standard time is 6 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. |
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| Visas |
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| Nationals of most countries may obtain visas on arrival, at the airport. It is best to check with your nearest Sri Lankan diplomatic mission or consulate. The visa that is issued at the point of entry is only valid for 30 days. Extensions can be obtained, if required, from the Department of Immigration & Emigration in Colombo. |
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| Voltage |
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| 230-240 volts 50 cycles A.C. |
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| What To Wear |
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| Light cotton dresses and light weight suits. A wide-brimmed beach hat and sunglasses, comfortable shoes/sandals. A light sweater is recommended in the hill country. Visitors should be decently clad when visiting any place of worship. Beachwear is NOT suitable for temples and shrines. All visitors to Buddhist and Hindu temples are expected to be unshod and have their heads uncovered. Topless sunbathing is prohibited. Bring rain proofs, avoid synthetics. |
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