GEOGRAPHY & CLIMATE
The island of Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean between the northern latitudes 5° 55’ and 9° 55’ and the eastern longitudes 79° 42’ and 81° 52’. Its maximum length is 435 km and it measures 225 km in maximum east-west width.
For a relatively small country, climate is remarkably varied. It has “dry” and “wet” seasons that take place simultaneously on the opposite sides of the island. The island is subject to two monsoons. The northeast monsoon from November to February brings rains to the dry northern and eastern parts of the island. The southwest monsoon from May through September brings most of its rain to the central hill region and the southern and western coasts. Even during the monsoon season, most days are sunny with rain generally falling in the afternoon and evening.
Located off the southeast tip of India, approximately 644 km north of the equator, temperatures are high throughout the year. On the western coast, the average annual temperature is 27°C. Nevertheless mercury falls as you climb into the hills. In Kandy, at an altitude of 500 m, the temperature falls to an average 20°C. In Nuwara Eliya, nestled high in the hills (1884 meters), the temperature averages 16°C and can become quite chilly in the night. On rare occasions, there have been frost. The highest temperatures are usually reached between March and June while November to January are considered to be the coolest months. However the ocean remains a constant 27°C all year long.
TIME DIFFERENCE
GMT + 5:30 hours
COMMUNICATIONS
Post offices open Monday- Friday 08:00 – 17:00. Government post offices exist in all towns and villages and there are also private post offices in larger towns.
Telephone calls throughout Sri Lanka are direct dial. International Direct Dialling (IDD) is available. You can also send express mail faxes, telegrams and e-mails from post offices and private telecommunication agencies. Prepaid telephone cards can be bought from shops near telephone boxes.
BUSINESS HOURS
Banks are generally open between 09:00 and 15:00. Most government and commercial offices open 08:30 to 16:30. Banks and government offices are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Shops open 09:00 or 10:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday, closing early afternoon on Saturdays. Most Buddhist and Hindu temples and shrines are open from dawn until nightfall.
HOLIDAYS
Sri Lanka celebrates many Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim holidays. Poya days – Full Moon Days – are also considered holidays when most businesses close. Observed as Buddhist religious days, no liquor is sold and all places of entertainment are closed. Hotels may make special arrangements for their guests.
ELECTRICITY
230-240V, 50 cycles AC, three-round-pin sockets are the most common.
WHAT TO WEAR
For Men: Light cotton or linen short-sleeved shirts and T-shirts, shorts and light baggy pants for the coast, lightweight linen suit for business or more formal occasions, light jacket or cotton sweatshirt for evenings in Kandy and the hills where evenings can be cooler. Jacket and tie required at some more formal hotel restaurants and clubs.
For Women: Linen or cotton skirts, tops, pants, shorts and T-shirts, beachwear; for business tailored linen dress or suit. Large cotton or silk shawl comes in handy for cool up-country evenings.
ETIQUETTE
Sri Lankans of every faith value modesty. Beachwear is acceptable at beach resorts, less acceptable off the beach and wholly unacceptable at temples, mosques and shrines. Modest wear covering knees, arms and shoulders is required for visiting temples, mosques and sacred sites, including the ancient cities. Footwear and headgear must be removed before entering the shrines. Posing beside or on religious statues is prohibited. Topless and nude sunbathing is illegal.
MONEY
Sri Lankan rupee is divided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents and 1, 2, 5 and 10 rupees. Notes are denominated in values of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000. When held up to the light, the notes have the watermark of the lion.
All commercial banks and most hotels are authorized to exchange money. Banks pay a higher rate of exchange than the hotels and other authorized dealers. At banks, travellers’ cheques enjoy a better rate of exchange than cash. When changing money, ask for smaller denomination notes as merchants, taxi drivers and three-wheeler drivers are often mysteriously unable to give change.
FOOD & DRINKS
The climate in Sri Lanka is much hotter and more humid than many people are accustomed to. The human body fights this heat by perspiring profusely, causing a great deal of fluid loss as well as salt depletion. Drink plenty of liquids. Do not drink water straight off the tap! Water should always be boiled and cooled before drinking. Hence it is best to consume bottled water or drinks. A good thirst quencher that is available almost anywhere is the King Coconut water, drunk straight off the shell.
All fruits should be properly washed and carefully peeled before being eaten.
SUN BATHING
Sri Lanka is renowned for its sunny climate, which can cause severe sunburns. The intense tropical sun is much stronger and more direct than in northern climes. It is best to avoid the midday sun. If you must go out, carry an umbrella or wear a large hat. A good suntan lotion with sun-block agent is recommended. With common sense and precaution, you will enjoy yourself much more.
SAFETY
It is advisable that you use the safes provided by the hotel (in your room or at the Front Office) to store valuables.
SHOPPING
Sri Lanka is a treasurehouse of riches for a souvenir shopper with mementoes to suit all budgets. Small craft and souvenir shops, leather goods such as bags and belts are good value. The quality and price of silver and gold jewellery depends on the workmanship and the gold and silver content. Precious and semi-precious gemstones are widely sold. The most valuable are rubies and sapphires. Beware however of buying gems on the street or beach off dealers who offer a seemingly irresistible bargain – the stone you have bought will turn out to be completely worthless. Reputable gem centers in big cities such as Kandy or Colombo are reliable places to buy gems.
Avoid buying goods made from ivory, turtle shells or reptile skin of any kind. Local vendors may assure you that such wild animal products are legal in Sri Lanka or are made from species that are not endangered. This is unlikely to be true since there are no snake or other reptile farms in Sri Lanka, and your new purchases will be confiscated by customs on your return home.
The export of antiques (articles more than 50 years old) is banned. So is the export of wild animals, birds, reptiles, or parts thereof unless accompanied with proper documentation and licenses.
IMPORTANT Retain some of your hotel and shopping receipts, especially for gems and souvenirs. These would make customs clearance easy.
TIPPING
Universal but modest; 5-10% from the bill amount will be welcomed.
WAKE UP CALLS/BAGGAGE
Please arrange for any wake up calls with the reception. They will also send you a Bell-Boy should you require your luggage to be brought down from your room. Also ensure that all your baggage is loaded into the vehicle you are travelling in – particularly if you are part of a large group.
BEGGARS
Begging has always been a part of life in Asia. Now it has become an unholy profession. Professional beggars haunt the places of interest, busy streets and favourite tourist shops. Hoards of children chant ‘rupee, school pen, bon-bon (candy)’. The government provides a variety of social services such as free medical care, schooling etc., and begging is discouraged. But as long as people continue to give away money, candy and pens, the problem grows. It may seem harsh, but it is recommended not to give to beggars.
PROSTITUTION
Prostitution and sexual exploitation of children are penal offences in Sri Lanka.
ON DEPARTURE
When leaving Sri Lanka, baggage will be checked by security and customs on at the airport. After clearing customs and checking in at the airport, passengers await departure in the departure lounge. There are several shops selling duty-free goods such as tea, handicrafts, jewellery, electronics, books etc., All purchases are to be made in foreign currency only. There is also a restaurant and coffee shop.
Any unspent rupees could be reconverted to foreign currency at a commercial bank at the exchange counter at the lobby of the airport.
I trust that you will find the information given, helpful during your stay. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time should you require any further assistance.