Official Name |
: |
Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka |
|
Area |
: |
65,525 square km |
| |
|
Location |
: |
Island off the south eastern
shores of India, 800km north of equator |
| |
|
CommercialCapital |
: |
Colombo |
| |
|
Population |
: |
20 million |
| |
|
Literacy Rate |
: |
89% |
| |
|
Languages |
: |
Sinhala, Tamil & English
( English is widely spoken throughout Sri Lanka, with
the exception of remote villages.) |
| |
|
Ethnic Mix |
: |
Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%,
Moor 7% Burgher, Malay & Others 1% |
| |
|
Religions |
: |
70% Buddhist, 15% Hindu,
8% Christians and 7% Muslim |
| |
|
National Flower |
: |
“NIL-MANEL”.
Found in abundance in the marshes and waterways of
the rural areas, it is a water lily that is also found
in other tropical countries. It is often placed on
altars of Buddhist temples around the country as an
offering to Lord Buddha and the \Hindu God Vishnu,
due to its colour which is deep blue/violet hue. |
| |
|
Major Exports |
: |
Textiles, Garments, Tea,
diamonds, rubber, coconut products and gems |
|
|
Currency
|
: |
Sri Lanka Rupee (Rs) –> 100
cents = 1 Rs |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Travellers cheques
Credit cards
Visas
|
:
:
: |
You will
have no problem changing travellers cheques at any
major bank.
Master card
and visa are the most commonly accepted cards.
American express and diners club are also accepted.
A 30 day visa is granted to most
nationals on arrival. Visa extensions are possible
on application to the department of immigration. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Time Zone |
: |
Five and a half hours
ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT + 5 1/2) |
| |
|
What to Wear |
: |
Cotton & light clothing
in Colombo and other coastal and dry areas. Light Woolens
in Kandy and the Hill Country. Visitors to places of
worship should be modestly attired. (shorts, and sleeveless
cloths are not allowed) - Footwear and headgear must
be removed before entering a shrine. |
| |
|
Electricity |
: |
Voltage 230 – 240
volts 50 cycles A.C. |
|
| |
|
The right time
to travel |
: |
Climatically, the driest
and best seasons are from December to March on the
west and south coasts and in the hill country and May
to September on the east coast. December to March is
usually the peak time. |
| |
|
Type of currency |
: |
The Sri Lankan currency
is the rupee [Rs] which is divided into 100 cents.
There are 5, 10, 20. 25, 50 cents and of Rs 1,2,5 and
10. Notes come in denominations of Rs. 10, 20, 50,
100, 200, 500 and 1000. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Visa requirements
and custom formalities |
: |
Regulations relating to
Visa is simple and therefore, tourists visiting Sri
Lanka can enter the country without the hassle of many
formalities.
Citizens from sixty-four countries are eligible to enter
Sri Lanka without a prior visa and obtain a visa for
between 30-90 days, at the point of entry without any
payment. This issuance of Visa depends on the country
of origin.
Nationals of countries not classified under the above
64 countries are required to posses a valued visa prior
to entering the country irrespective of the purpose of
visit. Visa could be obtained from the respective Sri
Lanka Diplomatic mission. Tourists should have a return
airticket, sufficient foreign exchange reckoned as US$
15 per day, and a valid travel document to establish
their bonafide as tourists. |
| |
|
Language of communication
- English |
: |
As English is the language
of communication many people speak English in hotels,
restaurants, supermarkets and wayside inns. English
is generally understood by the people. Road signs are
written both in English and Sinhala which is the native
language of the people. |
| |
|
Medical Services. |
: |
Almost all major towns
have two to three pharmacies for the sale of medicine.
You are recommended to patronize a private hospital
for your health service and are advised to obtain an
adequate health insurance cover. |
| |
|
Vaccinations. |
: |
Vaccination is important.
You are required to produce your health card for yellow
fever vaccination, if you are entering the country
from a yellow fever infected point of departure. You
will also have to update Hepatitis A, Polio and Tetanus
dose. You are also advised to take anti- malarial precaution,
if you plan to travel the beaten track. |
