Sri Lanka Travel Facts

                                                                               

Thinking of Sri Lanka vacations? Plan your trip and tell us what you’re interested in doing or check out some of our tailor-made Sri Lanka tour packages and inquire about any package that you are interested in.

• Sri Lanka Vacations                     Facts & Figures
• Official Name                                 Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
• National Holiday                            Independence Day, 04 February (1948)
• Total Area                                      65,610km2
• Geographic Coordinates             6-10 N, 80-82 E
• Location          -                              Island off the Southeastern shores of India, 800km north of equator
• Coastline         -                             1340 km
• Capital            -                               Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
• Commercial Capital   Colombo
• Population (million) [2011]      20.401
• Languages      Sinhala, Tamil & English. English is widely spoken throughout Sri Lanka, with the exception of remote villages.
• Ethnic Mix           Majority are Sinhalese, minorities Tamil & Moor
• Religions            mostly Buddhist, then Hindu, Christian & Muslim
• Major Exports    Textiles & garments, tea, diamonds, gems, rubber & coconut products
• Highest Peak    Pidurutalagala (Mt. Pedro) At 2524m, Adam’s peak (Sri Pada), holy to believers of all religions, ranks 4th at 2,243m.
• Essentials
• Time Zone        GMT +5:30. Daylight Savings Time is not observed.
• Voltage Requirement  230/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Round three pin plugs are usual, with bayonet lamp.) fittings
• Currency          Sri Lankan Rupee – LKR (Rs.) USD 1 = LKR 130
• Travelers Cheques  Widely accepted in banks and money exchanges, a 1% stamp duty is payable, plus a small commission.
• Credit Cards    Increasingly accepted in the main areas, but don’t expect your local shopkeeper to take one.
• ATMs    Common in large towns
• Tipping A service charge of 10% is added to all restaurant and hotel bills. A small tip (no more than 10%) above this is appreciated.
• Drivers expect a tip if you have bargained well.
• Working Week Monday to Friday
• Medical Facilities         The professional standards of doctors and surgeons are excellent with specialist hospitals including Eye, Children’s, Ayurvedic and Maternity
• For emergencies call:
• Fire & Ambulance: (011) 2 422222
• Police: (011) 2 433333 / 119
• Tuk tuk and taxi drivers will know of the nearest hospital.
• GSM Network  900
• Transportation
• Taxi  Radio cars can be called by telephone and are very good value.
• The minimum charge is Rs. 45 - 65 per kilometer. Other taxis are available, but are not metered, so it is wise to agree on the fare.
•  Cabs from the airport taxi counter at Bandaranaike International Airport cost from Rs 1,500 – 2,500 for the journey into Colombo.
• Other taxi counters may charge more. Always ask before.
• Rentals Self-drive hire cars are readily available, but if it’s your first time here, consider hiring a car and driver from the counters at the airport or from your hotel.
• Drivers offer excellent insight into the island and great flexibility, staying in dedicated drivers’ rooms at the same hotel(s) as you.
• Tuk-tuks   You’ve not been to Sri Lanka if you've not traveled in a tuk-tuk. Rs35-45 per km. Bargain for the best prices.
• Trains    Many places of interest are served by trains from Colombo Fort station.
• Buses    A comprehensive network covering the island with express services between principal towns. Can get  crowded.