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Country Introduction
Blessed with a tropical climate, golden sandy beaches, rolling green hills studded
with tea plantations, a rich cultural heritage and abundant wildlife. An island
paradise - warm, friendly and welcoming.
Country Information
WHAT TO EXPECT - A beautiful island with much to offer of historical and cultural
interest. Most hotels offer a simple standard of accommodation and often have ceiling
fans instead of air-conditioning. Service tends to be slow but friendly and the
food can be rather simple. Due to distinct climatic changes on the island, the high
season on the west coast is during our winter.
* Beaches: All beaches are public beaches, but hoteliers will do everything to keep
the beach area fronting the hotel as clean as possible. Some beaches may be eroded
due to tidal movements and weather conditions.
* Swimming in the ocean is only recommended for experienced swimmers because of
the strong undercurrents.
* Arrival: Flights to Sri Lanka arrive early in the morning and hotels will try
to have your room ready for arrival, but occasionally it may be necessary to wait
a while before moving into your room.
* Check-out: Flights back to the UK leave late at night or early in the morning
and you will be required to vacate your room by midday even if you are not being
picked up until 8 or 9 p.m., or even later. Hotels will usually let you keep your
room for a few extra hours for a small charge, but if you wish to keep your room
until departure time then you will need to pay for an extra night. Hotels will provide
a 'courtesy' room where possible for showering and changing before departure.
* All-inclusive clients will have to pay a supplement (advised locally) to use hotel
facilities following the vacation of your room.
FOOD & DRINK - Sri Lankan food is closely related to Indian food. A typical
meal might consist of a variety of small curried dishes using meat, vegetables and
fish served with rice. As you might expect there is a wide variety of excellent
seafood on the island and in many of the beach resorts you will find delicious prawn
and crab dishes.
* Sri Lanka is one of the best places to develop a taste for tropical fruits, which
include rambutan, mangoes and jackfruit.
* A Sri Lankan speciality is Toddy, which is a natural drink, produced from palm
trees. It has a taste reminiscent of cider and is extremely potent.
* It goes without saying that one should try the tea, which is grown in abundance
on the island.
RELIGION - The majority of the population is either Buddhist or Hindu and the remainder
are made up of Christians and Muslims.
LANGUAGE - The official languages are Sinhala, Tamil and English.
CLIMATE - On account of its proximity to the equator, the mean temperature in Sri
Lanka is high with an average daily temperature of 80F in the lowlands. Due to the
altitude the temperature in the central highlands is usually lower than elsewhere.
For example, Colombo, which is at sea level, has an average temperature of 80F.
Kandy, which is at 1,600 feet above sea level, averages 75F and Nuwara Eliya, which
is at 6,200 feet above sea level, averages only 60F. There is little seasonal variation
in temperature.
* Rainfall is heaviest in the west of the island during the months April to June
and again between October and December. Climatically Sri Lanka has no off season
as such and weather conditions are generally agreeable throughout most of the year,
and warm sunny days prevail in most parts of the island.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS - February - Navam Preehera, street festival in Colombo
* 4 February - Independence Day * April - Sinhala and Tamil New Year * 1 May - May
Day * May - Birthday of Gauthama Buddha (Vesak Full Moon) * June - Advent of Buddhism
to Sri Lanka (Poson Full Moon) * July/August - Esala Festivals, the most magnificent
one being held in Kandy * October - Deepavali (Hindu festival of light) * October
- Holy Month of Ramadan November - Eid al-Fitr Day (end of Ramadan) * 25/26 December
- Christmas *The exact dates of festivals tend to change each year as they depend
on lunar or solar phases.
WHILST IN SRI LANKA
SHOPPING - Most visitors like to purchase local handicrafts as souvenirs and gifts.
Masks, batik, leather and gems are among the preferred mementoes. Other attractive
handicrafts are available in the markets for which one should be prepared to bargain.
Otherwise tea is the local commodity and one can export up to three kilos of tea
duty free.
* It is important to understand that the condition, delivery and subsequent valuation
of any purchases you make must be a matter between yourself and the shop directly,
although we shall do everything practicably possible to assist you with any enquiries
you may have.
* The shops are open Monday to Friday 0830-1630 and Saturdays 0830-0100.
CAR HIRE / TAXIS - Car hire is not recommended in Sri Lanka due to the poor road
surfaces but it is possible to hire chauffeur driven cars for little more than the
cost of self-hire.
* Taxis are available from major hotels and the airport and if they are not metered
one should agree the price before departing.
CURRENCY - The currency in Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan Rupee ( CER ) which is divided
into 100 cents. It is only permitted to import and export CER 250.
* There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be imported
provided it is declared on arrival.(N.B. It is prohibited to import currency from
either India or Pakistan). The export of foreign currency is permitted up to the
amount that was declared on arrival.
* Money should only be exchanged by authorised banks or hotels and the exchange
receipts should be retained until your departure.
CREDIT CARDS - Major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and
large shops. Be aware that some shops may add a 5% surcharge to the price of the
merchandise purchased, if you are using a credit card.
BANKS - Open on Monday from 0900-1300 and on Tuesday to Friday from 0900-1330. The
banks do not open at the weekend. The Bank of Ceylon at the airport will be open
for all international arrivals and departures.
TIPPING - The giving of gratuities is at the individual's discretion. Most restaurant
bills will include a service charge of 10%.
ELECTRICITY - 220-240 volts AC. If you plan to take any electrical appliances with
you an adaptor will be useful.
TIME - Sri Lanka is 5 and a half hours ahead of GMT.
USEFUL ADDRESSES
Sri Lanka High Commission Tel: 0207 262 1841
13 Hyde Park Gardens Fax: 0207 262 7970
London W2 2LU E-mail: mail@slhc.globalnet.co.uk
Website: www.slhclondon.org
Sri Lanka Tourist Board Tel: 0207 930 2627
Clareville House Fax: 0207 930 9070
26-27 Oxendon Street E-mail: srilankatourism@aol.com
London SW1Y 4EL Website: www.srilankatourism.org
Useful Information
PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
PASSPORT - Required. Must be valid for 6 months from the date of your entry into
Sri Lanka.
VISA - Visas are not required for British passport holders for stays of up to 30
days.
Clients travelling on any tour including a visit to India must obtain a visa for
entry into India.
FOREIGN OFFICE TRAVEL ADVICE - For up-to-date advice on the political situation,
please contact the Foreign Office :- www.fco.gov.uk This information may also be
available on BBC2's Ceefax, page 470.
ADDITIONAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS - A valid certificate of vaccination against yellow
fever will be required if you arrive in Sri Lanka within 6 days of leaving or transiting
an infected or endemic area.
* Malaria exists year round in Sri Lanka and a course of anti-malaria medicine is
therefore very strongly recommended and medical advice should be sought on the protection
that you will need whilst in the country.
WHAT TO TAKE - Sunglasses and sun block are essential. Insect repellent will also
be useful. Towels are provided at all the hotels for the beach and pool.
WHAT TO WEAR - Lightweight cotton clothing is standard all year round. Dress requirements
are for the most part casual although some clubs and restaurants may require men
to wear a jacket and tie and ladies to wear dresses in the evening. Remember to
take a sun hat and your beach shoes.
* In the hill country, and Nuwara Eliya, in particular you may need a sweater or
light jacket in the evenings as the temperature is generally somewhat cooler than
elsewhere. A pair of trainers or lightweight walking shoes will be useful if you
intend to explore the hill country.
* Visitors should be decently clad when visiting any place of worship; beachwear
is not suitable for visiting temples and shrines. All visitors to Buddhist and Hindu
temples are expected to remove their shoes.
* The laws of Sri Lanka prohibit topless sunbathing and strict fines may be imposed
on those that ignore this law.
* Some departures for the Ceylon Tour may stay at the Hill Club in Nuwara Eliya
where a jacket, tie and proper shoes are required. These items can be hired there
if necessary. You will be advised of your itinerary before departure.
RECREATION - Sea conditions will restrict the use of watersports especially in the
months between April and June and between October and December when the rains are
heavier and consequently the sea more turbulent.
PHOTOGRAPHY - Permits are required in order to photograph most monuments and archaeological
sites in Sri Lanka. These permits are only available in Sri Lanka and information
on how to obtain them and their cost will be provided by our local representative
when you arrive. The price of these permits does change from time to time but the
cost is not prohibitive.
RECOMMENDED READING
Sri Lanka a Travel Survival Kit - published by Lonely Planet.
Sri Lanka Handbook - published by Trade & Travel Handbooks.
Insight Guide to Sri Lanka - published by Apa Publications.
Berlitz Guide to Sri Lanka.
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