Embassies, high commissions and consulates

Australia,Australian High Commission 21, Gregory’s Rd, Colombo 7, 94 11 246-3200, fax: 94 11 268-6453

 Canada, Canadian High Commission 33A, 5th Lane, Colpetty, Colombo -03, 94 11 522-6232, fax: 94 11 522-629

China,Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, 381-A Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7, 94 11 268-8610, fax: 94 11 269-3799


 France, French Embassy, 89, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7,Sri Lanka, 94 11 2639400, fax: 94 11 2639402


 Germany, German Embassy, 40 Alfred House Avenue, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka, 94 11 2580431, fax: 94 11 258 044


. India, High Commission of India 36-38, Galle Road, Colombo 03,Sri Lanka, 94 11 2327587, 94112422788">+94 11 2422788, 94 11 2421605, fax: 94 11 2446403, +94 11 24481


6. Italy,Embassy of Italy, 55, Jawatta Road, Colombo 5,Sri Lanka, 94 11 2588388, fax: 94 11 2596


44. Japan,Embassy of Japan, No. 20, Gregory’s Road, Colombo 07,Sri Lanka, 94 11 2693831 /2/3FORMAT, fax: 94 11 269


629. Malaysia, High Commission of Malaysia, No. 33,Bagatalle Road, Colombo 3,Sri Lanka, 94 11 7557711, 94117557712">+94 11 7557712, 94 11 7557713, fax: 94 11 75


7714. The Netherlands, 25, Torrington Avenue, Colombo – 7,Sri Lanka, 94 11 2510200, fax: 94 11 2

02855. Norway, Royal Norwegian Embassy, 34 Ward Place, Colombo 7,Sri Lanka, 94 11 2469611, fax: 94 11

Russia,Embassy of the Russian Federaration, 62,Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 7,Sri Lanka, 94 11 2573555, 94112574959">+94 11 2574959, fax: +94 11 2574957.

 Thailand, Royal Thai Embassy, 46/46 Nawam Mawatha, 9th Floor, Green lanka Towers, Colombo 2,Sri Lanka, 94 11 2302500-3, fax: 94 11 2304511-


 United Kingdom,British High Commission, 389 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo – 7,Sri Lanka, 94 11 5390639, fax: 94 11 539069


. United States,American Embassy, 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3,Sri Lanka, 94 11 249-8500, fax: 94 11 249-8

How to stay connected in Sri Lanka

Phone The country code for Sri Lanka is 94. Remove the intercity prefix (0) before the area code when dialling internationally into the country (i.e., 0112 688 688 becomes +94 112 688 688) when dialling from abroad). The two next numbers after 94 represents the area code, they are different for every district for more information see Telephone numbers in Sri Lanka.

Mobile The use of GSM cellphones is widespread and the coverage is good. Dialog and Mobitel are two operators that have sales offices at the airport inside the arrivals lounge. Dialog Mobile has the widest coverage in the country including rural areas and has the best quality GSM / 3G / HSPA /4G network. Mobitel also has a 3G/HSPA network.All the mobile operators are having same call rates due to floor rate tariffs. Therefore it is advisable to go to the network which offers you the best quality.All Mobile Operators offers cheap IDD Call rates. If you want to surf internet, best way is to buy a HSPA dongle and a Mobile Broadband connection. Dialog Mobile, Mobitel, hutch,Etisalat and Airtel offers prepaid Mobile Broadband services which can be activated and used immediately. Dialog is the Vodafone Roaming Network in Sri Lanka and offers the best range of Value added services for Roamers and the rates are cheaper. Etisalat and Airtel also provide cheap roaming rates specially to India. Mobile Phones are cheaper and widely available

How to gain respect in Sri Lanka

There are several customs that, specially for Western travellers, would take a bit of getting used to. It is customary to remove shoes and wear respectful attire (i.e. no miniskirts, tank tops, short pants, etc…) when visiting temples. It is also the custom to remove shoes before entering a home, though this is not as strictly followed as in places such as Japan. Never touch or pat Buddhist monks, including younger monks and children who practice at a temple. Do not display tattoos that depict the Buddha. This can be regarded as highly insulting in Sri Lanka, even if acceptable in other Buddhist countries and regions.Arrest and deportation are realistic scenarios. Do not turn your back to a Buddha statue while within a reasonable distance. This includes posing for photos, where you should not make arm or body contact with the statue. It is advisable to photograph a Buddha statue with all persons facing towards it (as observing it),rather than posing alongside. Public nudity is illegal in Sri Lanka – nude/topless sunbathing and skinny dipping should be avoided, except in the private beach resorts which allow it. Although much latitude is given to tourists, it is more polite to use your right hand when handing money and small objects, etc… Of course you can use both hands for something big and/or heavy. Be respectful to monks. There’s no particular etiquette for Westerners – just be polite.Always give them a seat on a crowded bus (unless you’re disabled or very elderly). It is highly controversial to discuss politics, particularly the Sinhalese/Tamil divide or the LTTE. The 26-year civil war which ended in 2009 saw thousands of attacks throughout the country, including suicide bombings and massacres which have killed scores of politicians and civilians on both sides alike. No photography of sensitive locations (inside and outside), and inside of shopping malls and tea factories (outside OK).Be especially careful in Fort, Colombo (except on the beach). If soldiers are guarding something, it probably shouldn’t be photographed. Don’t rely on signs alone, as sometimes they are old or missing. For example, one end of a bridge may have a “No Photography” sign, but not the other. Seemingly innocuous public displays of affection between lovers such as kissing and/or hugging may be culturally frowned upon as it is considered to be private behaviour but it is acceptable in functions and establishments designated for adults such as nightclubs, casinos and beach parties. Much lenience is given to foreigners and holding hands and public affection between parents and their children is not frowned upon.

How to stay healthy in Sri Lanka

Vaccinations are recommended for Hepatitis A+B and Tetanus. Also, obtain the Typhus vaccination outside of tourist areas especially in the wet season. The CDC also recommends vaccination against Japanese encephalitis 9 . Dengue fever: During the rainy season use mosquito repellent. When head and joint aches occur get a blood check. There is no vaccination yet. Malaria : Gampaha (e.g. Negombo), Colombo,Kalutara, Galle, and Nuwara Eliya districts are considered malaria free, as is the city (but not the entire district) of Kandy.Elsewhere, malaria exists and is most likely in Anuradhapura. In the dry season, using DEET repellent for a mid-day road or train trip to Kandy (including visits to the Peradeniya Gardens) or Nuwara Eliya should suffice. Risk increases after sunset. Malaria prophylaxis (anti-malarials) are warranted for trips to the north (especially Anuradhapura), east, and southeast (however some types are not available locally, and it may not be as effective as what you could obtain back home.) Yellow fever:A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas. Filaria:Sri Lanka is the first country in the South Asia region to eradicate Filaria 10 . Polio:Sri Lanka is considered polio free. Visitors should avoid drinking water from the tap. It is best to stick to bottled water for both drinking and tooth-brushing. Although snake bites are extremely rare among tourists (comparable to being struck by lightning), anyone bitten should seek prompt medical care. This is true even if the bite doesn’t result in any pain and swelling. The National Emergency number is 119. In Colombo, dial either 119 or if you want an emergency ambulance – 110. There are tiny little flies that live in the sand.Any contact with the dry sand usually results in bites and subsequent painful scratches. So avoid even a little sand on your skin, including legs. Visitors should avoid drinking water from the tap. It is best to stick to bottled water for both drinking and teeth brushing. Leafy,raw vegetables and salads should also be avoided, as they are washed with tap water.

How to stay safe in Sri Lanka

In June 2009, the Sri Lankan government lifted travel alerts after the military defeat of rebel insurgents in the north of the country, though it is advisable to check with the local travel advisory bureau in your country if there is any doubt.Sri Lanka’s lengthy and bloody civil war was ended one month earlier, when the government forces finally wiped out the Tamil Tigers. However, there might be land mines left, which can be troublesome, and the facilities in northern (and some parts of the east) cities and towns are war torn. These were the areas where the Tamils lived. The UN, NGOs and the Sri Lankan authorities are currently engaged in rapidly clearing landmines laid out by the warring parties. It’s a long and difficult process. Bombings and assassinations were a firm part of both sides in the conflict, and there is heavy security in all sensitive locations. While the separatists have never targeted tourists there have been deaths, notably in a landmine explosion at Wilpattu National Wild Park in 2006, and some have been wounded by terrorist actions. War is, after all, dangerous. In general, though, traffic accidents kill more people than terrorism. It’s quite safe to travel in Sri Lanka and many tourists from all over the world started to come to the country after the end of the civil war.You’ll see many foreign tourists at the tourists sites, mostly Westerners. Locals will greet foreigners with a smile and are generally helpful. It is recommended to avoid going alone after dark.Pickpocketing on public transport is uncommon, but take precaution. Violent crime is not usually any more serious a problem for tourists in Sri Lanka than it is anywhere. There has been an increase in violent crimes involving tourists in the past few years, but it is still very rare. Tourists should exercise the same care and attention as they would at home. Under colonial-era laws which are still in place, homosexual activity between consenting adults are punishable by fines and whipping. LGBT travelers should exercise discretion.

Where to go to get educated in Sri Lanka

Buddhist Studies and Pali Language. The universities of
Peradeniya and Kelaniya offer a variety of Buddhist studies and Pali
language courses in English.
Meditation.You may find monasteries and meditation centres that
offer meditation courses (generally free of charge) in the
Lanka_monasteries_2008_jan.pdf Buddhist Publication Society
guide.
Mahamevnawa Meditation Monastery is a good place to learn
true Buddhism.
Dancing There are many foreign enthusiasts to learn Sri Lankan
traditional dance under three categories which are Udarata,
Pahatharata and Sabaragamu.And there are distinguished
drumming for those categories.

Where to sleep in Sri Lanka

Accommodation in Sri Lanka has been transformed in recent years. What would be recognized as the modern tourist industry began in the 1960s with traditional beach hotels built on the west coast which were aimed primarily at the package holiday crowd and traditional travel operators. But the past decade has brought a major change, with the growth of villas, boutique hotels, and small independent and individualistic properties offering a huge array of choice. With the end of the civil war and the defeat of the Tamil forces in May 2009, tourist arrivals have been going up,and as there still aren’t a great many decent hotels it’s probably better to book early.