Survival Pack

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Travel Survival Pack

Everything you need for your Sri Lanka trip in one page. Bookmark it, print it, or share it with your travel buddies.

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🚨 Emergency Numbers

119

Police Emergency

Sri Lanka Police

110

Ambulance / Accident

Suwa Seriya (National Ambulance)

110

Fire & Rescue

+94 11 242 1052

Tourist Police

24/7 tourist assistance in English

112

General Emergency

Works from any phone

1919

Information Service

Government info hotline

🗣️ Basic Sinhala & Tamil Phrases

English	Sinhala	Tamil	How to say
Hello	Ayubowan	Vanakkam	Ah-yu-BOH-wan
Thank you	Istuti	Nandri	Is-TOO-tee
Yes	Ow	Aam	Ow
No	Naha	Illai	Na-ha
How much?	Kiyada?	Evvalavu?	Ki-ya-da?
Too expensive	Godak Mila	Romba Vilai	Go-dak Mee-la
Water	Wathura	Thanni	Wa-thu-ra
Food	Kama	Sappaadu	Ka-ma
Help!	Udaw!	Udhavi!	U-dow!
Where is...?	Koheda...?	Engey...?	Ko-he-da?
Hospital	Rohala	Maruthuvaminai	Ro-ha-la
I need a doctor	Mata doctor kennek ona	Enakku doctor venum	Ma-ta doctor ken-nek oh-na
Excuse me	Samawenna	Mannikkavum	Sa-ma-wen-na
Delicious!	Rasai!	Suvai!	Ra-sai!
Goodbye	Gihin ennam	Poittu varein	Gi-hin en-nam

💰 Currency & Money Tips

Currency

Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). Notes: 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000. Coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50.

ATMs

Widely available in cities. Commercial Bank and HNB ATMs accept international cards. Max withdrawal ~LKR 40,000–60,000 per transaction.

Cards

Visa and Mastercard accepted at hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets in cities. Always carry cash for small shops, tuk-tuks, and rural areas.

Money Exchange

Exchange at the airport on arrival (decent rates). Avoid street money changers. Banks and licensed exchanges offer better rates than hotels.

Bargaining

Expected at markets and with tuk-tuk drivers. Not appropriate at restaurants, supermarkets, or shops with fixed prices.

🙏 Tipping Guide

Category	Suggested Tip
Restaurants	10% service charge usually included. Extra tip of LKR 100–300 for good service is appreciated.
Tuk-tuk Drivers	Not expected but appreciated. Round up the fare or add LKR 50–100 for longer trips.
Hotel Staff	LKR 200–500 per day for housekeeping. LKR 100–200 for porters.
Tour Guides	LKR 1,000–2,000 per day for private guides. LKR 500 for short temple/site tours.
Safari Drivers	LKR 500–1,000 per person for a good safari experience. More if they spot a leopard!
Spa / Ayurveda	10% of the treatment cost is standard.

🏥 Health & Safety

Drinking Water

Do NOT drink tap water. Bottled water is cheap (LKR 70–100) and available everywhere. Check the seal is intact.

Mosquitoes

Dengue fever is present. Use insect repellent (DEET-based), especially at dawn and dusk. Wear long sleeves in the evening.

Sun Protection

UV is intense. Use SPF 50+ sunscreen, wear a hat, and stay hydrated. Heatstroke is a real risk.

Food Safety

Eat at busy restaurants with high turnover. Avoid salads washed in tap water. Street food is generally safe at popular stalls.

Pharmacies

Well-stocked in cities. Look for "Osu Sala" signs. Basic medication available without prescription.

Hospitals

Government hospitals are free but crowded. Private hospitals (Asiri, Nawaloka, Lanka in Colombo) have English-speaking staff. Travel insurance recommended.

Vaccinations

No mandatory vaccinations, but Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus are recommended. Consult your doctor before travel.

📱 Ride-Hailing & Getting Around

PickMe

iOS & Android

Most popular ride-hailing app in Sri Lanka. Cars, tuk-tuks, and bikes. Pay by cash or card.

Uber

iOS & Android

Available in Colombo and major cities. Reliable pricing but limited outside urban areas.

Train Booking (SLR)

Web

Sri Lanka Railways official site for train schedules. Book scenic routes (Kandy–Ella) in advance.

📲 Other Useful Apps

Google Maps (Offline)

iOS & Android

Download Sri Lanka map for offline use. Essential for areas with poor signal.

maps.me

iOS & Android

Alternative offline maps with hiking trails and POIs. Great for rural areas.

XE Currency

iOS & Android

Real-time currency conversion. Useful for comparing prices.

Dialog MyTV / Mobitel

iOS & Android

Buy local SIM card from Dialog or Mobitel at the airport. ~$5 for 15GB data.

💡 Practical Tips

Power sockets are Type D and Type G (UK-style 3-pin). Bring a universal adapter.
Sri Lanka is UTC+5:30 year-round. No daylight saving time.
Modest clothing required at temples — cover shoulders and knees. Remove shoes at the entrance.
Always carry your passport or a photocopy. You may need it for train tickets and hotels.
Tuk-tuks: Always agree on a price before getting in, or insist on the meter.
Most sites close by 5-6 PM. Plan temple and attraction visits for the morning.
Wi-Fi is common in hotels and cafes. Buy a local SIM for 4G data (Dialog or Mobitel).
Full moon (Poya) days are public holidays — alcohol sales are restricted and some attractions close.
Don't touch anyone's head and avoid pointing with your finger — it's considered rude.
Use your right hand when giving or receiving items. The left hand is considered unclean.

🏛️ Embassy & Consulate Contacts

US Embassy – Colombo

+94 11 249 8500

210 Galle Road, Colombo 03

UK High Commission

+94 11 539 0639

389 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07

Australian High Commission

+94 11 246 3200

21 Gregory Road, Colombo 07

Indian High Commission

+94 11 232 7587

36-38 Galle Road, Colombo 03

German Embassy

+94 11 258 0431

40 Alfred House Avenue, Colombo 03

French Embassy

+94 11 263 9400

89 Rosmead Place, Colombo 07

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the emergency number in Sri Lanka?

The general emergency number is 112. Police is 119, Ambulance (Suwa Seriya) is 110, and the Tourist Police can be reached at +94 11 242 1052.

How do you say thank you in Sinhala?

Thank you in Sinhala is 'Istuti' (pronounced Is-TOO-tee). In Tamil, it's 'Nandri'.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Sri Lanka?

No, tap water is not safe to drink. Always buy bottled water, which is widely available for LKR 70-100.

What currency is used in Sri Lanka?

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). ATMs accepting international cards are available in cities. Carry cash for rural areas.

Do I need a visa to visit Sri Lanka?

Most nationalities need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) which can be obtained online before arrival. The cost is approximately $50 USD for a 30-day tourist visa.

How much should I tip in Sri Lanka?

Restaurants usually include a 10% service charge. Tipping LKR 100-500 is appreciated for hotel staff, tour guides (LKR 1000-2000/day), and safari drivers.

Have a great trip! 🌴 Explore more on friday.lk