For the past years, Sri Lanka has become one of the best countries to visit in the world. Sri Lanka tourism industry has risen the bar for all tourists. If you are a person who already has visited or having future plans to visit the beautiful island of the Indian Ocean, there are certain facts that have been updated and should be learned. Whether you are on a Holiday or on a Business matter, travellers to Sri Lanka must have electronic travel authorization (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. Below is the Sri Lanka travel guide.
Sri Lanka’s Currency
The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee. Currency notes are Rs.5,000, Rs2,000, Rs1,000, Rs500, Rs100, Rs50, Rs20 and Rs10. Coins, should you have receive them, will be in denominations of Rs. 01, Rs. 02, Rs. 05 and Rs10.
Make sure you have plenty of lower denomination notes and coins in order to avoid uncomfortable situations (Rs50, Rs100, and Rs500)
Time Difference
Sri Lanka Standard Time is five and a half hours ahead of GMT. (Allowance should be made for summer-time changes in Europe.)
Language
Sri Lanka’s official language is Sinhala, Tamil and English as a link language. Most people have the knowledge of English, and signboards are often in English as well.
What to Wear
You are entering a tropical island, therefore cotton clothes are useful at any time of the year, but you will need light woollens for the hills and waterproof clothing or an umbrella.Do not forget comfortable shoes, sandals. If you are planning to trek and climb go prepared with suitable gear. Water sports enthusiasts would do well to take their snorkels and diving equipment along.
Safety
In general the threats to personal security for travellers in Sri Lanka are remarkably small. It is more pleasant to travel with a companion, as it is advised not to travel alone especially after dark.
Health Precautions
The Travel Guide in Sri Lanka states that certain health risks in Sri Lanka are different to those encountered in Europe and North America. Watch out for bowel diseases such as diarrhoea and amoebic dysentery, vector borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, and a variety of fungal infections. Sri Lankan physicians, though, many of whom have trained in the West, are particularly experienced in dealing with locally occurring diseases.
