Useful information for new arrivals

Etiquette 

Business settings remain formal with small cultural nuances, but leeway is given to foreigners in this respect. While men normally shake hands with other men, and women with women, some women may not wish to shake hands with men outside of family circles. It is best to wait and see if a woman extends her hand before shaking it. Titles are important, and business cards should be treated with respect, always held and received with two hands. Sri Lankans are very non-confrontational in their communication style, which often requires interpretation. The word “no” is frequently avoided, seen as too blunt and making one at risk of losing face. It is customary for tea to be offered during business meetings.

Dress

Sri Lankan men dress in traditional Western apparel for business, including shirt and tie, though jackets are uncommon. During recreation, sarongs are often worn by men The sari is the most common form of professional dress for Sri Lankan women, particularly in the public sector.

Language

Sinhala, or Sinhalese, is the dominant language spoken across the island and amongst Sri Lanka’s Buddhist Sinhalese majority. It is one of the recognised official languages of the country alongside Tamil, Sri Lanka’s minority ethnic group. Within the business community English is commonly spoken, though this can be a challenge when navigating the streets of Colombo or in more rural areas.

Transport

Sri Lanka lacks a regularised domestic flight network, with the exception of Cinnamon Air, which carries a small fleet of propeller planes catering to tourists. Inland travel is most commonly conducted through an extensive rail network with different class cabins, or through private car hire. Within Colombo and across Sri Lanka, three-wheelers, or tuk-tuks, remain the most common form of transport for Sri Lankans and travellers alike. A number of these are metered and can be flagged safely on the street. Additionally, taxi companies like Kangaroo Cabs have formed a presence in Colombo, and have call-in numbers and smartphone applications.

Currency

The national currency of Sri Lanka is the rupee, shortened to LKR. Notes are available in 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are widespread on the island. Cash is still recommended for more informal transactions like taxis and three-wheelers. The exchange rate in February 2016 was $1:LKR144.

Cuisine 

Sri Lankan cuisine is influenced by South Indian cuisine, foreign traders and its rich colonial history. Key ingredients include coconut, rice and spices. Rice curries can include fish, chicken, beef, mutton, vegetables and lentils.

Tipping

Tipping is voluntary. Most restaurants and hotels add a service charge to the bill.

Visa

A traveller intending to visit Sri Lanka for a short stay must obtain an electronic travel authorisation, which can be completed online in advance or applied for upon entry at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). This grants 30 days in country, and is extendible. Fees at BIA are to be paid in US dollars.

Health

Health facilities in Colombo are generally at or near international standards. Travellers should always possess mosquito repellent, with dengue virus present across the island. Sri Lanka also has a high incidence of snakebite victims, so travellers should be cautious, both in and out of urban centres.

Commuincation

The country code for Sri Lanka is +94. SIM cards can be obtained with your passport upon arrival at BIA and at any outlet for Dialog, Mobitel, Airtel, Etisalat or Hutch. The country enjoys some of the lowest mobile tariffs in the world.

Electricity

Sri Lanka runs on a 230-V 50-HZ electrical system, using three-pronged British-style plugs, either square or rounded. Other plugs will require adaptors, which a majority of hotels can provide upon request. As of 2016, nearly the entire island is electrified and blackouts are generally very rare.