Language

Sinhala (74%); Tamil (18%); Other (8%)

Sinhala is Sri Lanka’s official language, and both Sinhala and Tamil are national languages

Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language, is the mother tongue of Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese majority. The low-caste Rodiya community uses a distinct dialect of Sinhala called Rodiya

Tamil, a Dravidian-root language, is spoken by Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Tamils and Sri Lankan Moors, with Moors sometimes using a Tamil dialect that is tinged with Arabic

English is commonly used in government and is referred to in the constitution as the link language between Sinhala and Tamil. Approximately 10% of Sri Lankans speak English

Other languages include Arabic, which is used in religious contexts by Sri Lanka’s Muslim community, Sri Lankan Malay and Sri Lankan Portuguese Creole

Sri Lanka’s indigenous Vedda people had their own tongue, Vedda language, which is now thought to be extinct

Currency

Sri Lankan Rupee

We recommend that you take US dollars with you as it is readily changeable.

American Express, VISA and MasterCard are accepted at hotels and in larger stores for retail purchases.

International Dialing Code

+94

Electricity

Electricity in Sri Lanka is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin types are D (3 pin round) and G (UK – 3 prong).

Visas

Travellers from AU, NZ, CA, US and UK can get and pay for a Sri Lanka ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation’ (ETA) online, a few days before you arrive. You should get your approval notice within 24 hours, and you can use this to enter Sri Lanka. You can apply here at the official website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration www.eta.gov.lk.

It is also possible for travellers from AU, NZ, CA, US and UK to apply for a 30-day tourist visa on arrival if you land at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. However, the Department for Immigration strongly advise visitors to apply for an ETA before entry to Sri Lanka, as the approval of an arrival visa cannot be guaranteed. A visa on arrival costs 60 US dollars, which is 10 US dollars more than the ETA.

Travellers from AU, NZ, CA, US and UK can complete an online arrival form 3 days before arriving in Sri Lanka. The service is free and may save time when you arrive. If you want to stay for more than 30 days, up to 180 days, you need to apply online as you cannot apply on arrival.

Please ensure that your passport has an expiry date of greater than 6 months during your visit to Sri Lanka.

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.