The Climate

Sri Lanka is a tropical country and consist of very distinctive dry and wet seasons. The Average temperature of the country is range from 28-32 degrees Celsius. The lowest temperature is reported from “Nuwara Eliya” (Little England)” , the central Highlands. And the highest temperature is mostly reported from “Batticaloa”, the East coast of Sri Lanka. Holiday Packages in Sri Lanka

Monsoon Seasons

First Inter-monsoon Season (March – April) – Thunderstorm type rainfall with warm and uncomfortable conditions. Holiday Packages in Sri Lanka

Southwest-Monsoon Season (May – September) – The warm season is eased away by the windy weather during this particular monsoon season. Rains can be expected during any time of the day.

Second Inter-monsoon Season (October – November) – Rains occur with thunder storms while the influence of the weather system like depression and cyclones in the Bay of Bengal is considered to be common. The whole island experiences wide spread rain with strong winds. Holiday Packages in Sri Lanka

Northeast-Monsoon Season (December – February) – Cold and dry windy weather can be expected during this season while cloud free and days filled with sunshine can be expected. Rain can be expected in several parts of the island as well.

Clothes and accessories

Since Sri Lanka is a tropical country, you will need to bring comfortable cotton and linen clothes most of the time. If you travel to central highlands, the coolest area of Sri Lanka “Nuwara Eliya” you definitely needs rain jackets, woolen clothes, good quality boots, socks and hats. Rest of the destinations, you will be comfortable with cotton and linen dresses along with good quality of flip flops and sandals.

Also do not forget to bring high sun protection creams / oils to protect your skin from the heat.

Language

The Official Language and the mother tongue is “Sinhala”; Other official Language is “Tamil” English is the third language and most of the people understand and speak English. English is spoken at all hotels, major restaurants and shops. Traumland Tours provides guides in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese languages to foreign visitors requiring assistance. Road signs are written both in Sinhalese & English throughout the country, with few exceptions.

Visa

There are two categories of Visa to Sri Lanka.

Tourist Visa 

Tourist visa will be issued for a certain period to a traveler who wish to visit tourist attractions, sightseeing, relaxation, visiting friends and relatives and do wellness programs. To visit to Sri Lanka for a holiday purpose or a business purposes, every traveler need to have “Electronic  Travel Authorization (ETA). 

Business Visa 

Business visa is issued for a foreign traveler who travels to Sri Lanka for Business purpose.  There are two type of Business visa to Sri Lanka;

• Short Term Business Visa – Less than 30 Days stay
• Long Term Business Visa – More than 30 Days stay

 For more information, please log into  www.eta.gov.lk

Authorized Government Department for any kind of visa requirement.

Department of Immigration & Emigration

Suhurupaya, Subuthi Dr, Battaramulla

Telephone : +94 115 329 000

E mail  : controller@immigration.gov.lk

Dress codes & Photo permission

When you visit a Buddhist temple and a Hindu Temple in Sri Lanka, you have to be in a dress which covers your shoulders and knees mainly. Also you are not allowed to wear a cap, hat or a hoodie when you are entering to a religious place. And have to remove footwear also as a custom of Sri Lanka.

There are many sites and places in Sri Lanka require photo permits, mainly religious places. Before making a photograph, you have to pay your attention of their photo restrictions. You are not allowed to make a photo with a Buddhist image with a human. This rule is applicable for selfies too.  This is considered as a disrespectful activity.

Roads in Sri Lanka

Generally Sri Lanka has good quality network of Roads. Specially between every cities and towns have well maintained safe roads with traffic lights and road signs. There are two highways are functioning at this moment. One if from Colombo International Air Port to Colombo and other one is from Colombo to Matara City which is connected all major cities and towns of Southern coast. But there are some roads which are not being maintained well in rural areas such as villages in Sri Lanka.

Foreign Currency

A traveler may bring any sum of money in foreign currencies into Sri Lanka. This sum could be in TCs, bank drafts or currency notes. However, if the total of such sum exceeds US$ 15,000 such sum should be declared to the Sri Lanka Customs.

Sri Lankan Currency

“Sri Lankan Rupee” is the local currency and most of the time we use codes such as “LKR” & “Rs”. The major notes of local currency are – Rs 5000, Rs 2000, Rs 1000, Rs 500, Rs 100, Rs 50, Rs 20 and Rs 10.

Banks in Sri Lanka

There are several banks in Sri Lanka including Government banks and private banks. The major Government bank is “Bank of Ceylon”. Most of banks are open from 09.00am until 1200 noon.  Travelers can withdraw money at any time across the country with ATM’s using international credit and debit cards.

Credit Cards

Credit Cards are widely used and accepted by local establishments (even in small towns). The most widely used card types are Visa and MasterCard, with Amex to a lesser extent. It would be a convenient option to use your Credit Card (valid for international use) whenever possible.

Due to currency regulations in Sri Lanka, credit card charges cannot be made in foreign currency Local tourist establishments (including Traumland Tours ) will apply the daily exchange rate on the day of your payment and convert foreign exchange rate to Sri Lankan Rupees. Please use the exchange rate indicated in the currency converter only as a guideline as we will apply the prevailing bank exchange rate at time of transaction.

Stay Healthy

We want you to be stay healthy in Sri Lanka. We do not recommend you to try street food, fruits, vegetables or any beverage. Do not drink tap water in Sri Lanka, always use bottled water during your tour. Our chauffer guides/ tour representatives will advise and assist you.

Safety

Sri Lanka is quite a safe destination to travel and one of the most picturesque countries on earth. The country is well known as “The friendliest” in the world. The country is at peace and we are experiencing record a record number of visitors; as Sri Lanka is considered one of the few ‘un-spoilt’ destinations in Asia . Our tours are conducted in areas which are considered safe for tourists to visit. Many of our clients have become friends and cannot wait to return to their ‘second home’, feeling safe and secure in our care.

Time Difference

Standard Sri Lanka time difference is 05 and half hours ahead of GMT

Power & Energy

The General voltage of Sri Lanka is 220/ 240 Volts.

Most of the hotels are using two types of Plug bases;

1. UK Type (G) – 3 Rectangular Pins – 13 Amps
2. India Type (D) – 3 Round Pins      – 05 Amps