This guide provides practical information on Sri Lanka, including emergency contact numbers and communication tips, to help travelers navigate the island nation with confidence. It offers a comprehensive guide to Sri Lanka, offering a wealth of experiences and pristine beaches.
Emergency Contact Numbers:
Any traveler should have the phone numbers for emergency services at all times. Key emergency services available in Sri Lanka are listed below:
- Police:
- Emergency Hotline: 118 / 119
- Tourist Police Hotline: 1912 (English-speaking officers available)
- Emergency Police Mobile Squad: 011-5717171 (Colombo)
- Ambulance / Fire & Rescue: 110
- Accident Service – General Hospital – Colombo: 011-2691111
- Fire & Ambulance Service: 011-2422222 (Colombo)
Important Note: Before you go, it is strongly advised that you put these numbers in your phone’s contact list.
Embassy and Consular Services:
Find the closest Sri Lankan embassy or consulate before your journey in case you have an emergency that calls for help from your own country. These missions can offer assistance with problems such as misplaced passports, court cases, and urgent medical needs. A worldwide list of Sri Lankan embassies and consulates can be found at https://mfa.gov.lk/, the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Communication:
- Mobile phones: Having a reliable source of communication is essential for getting across Sri Lanka and making emergency contacts. Once there, think about getting a local SIM card. Dialog, Airtel, and Mobitel are three of Sri Lanka’s leading mobile network providers. These provide travelers with prepaid plans that include data packages.
- Wi-Fi: In Sri Lanka, Wi-Fi coverage is getting more widespread, particularly in large towns, popular tourist destinations, and lodging facilities. It might not be dependable all the time, so keeping a local SIM card loaded with data is a smart precaution.
Important Apps:
Adding a few useful apps to your phone will improve your time in Sri Lanka:
- Maps: Google Maps https://maps.google.com/ or Maps.me (works offline) are essential for navigating unfamiliar areas.
- Translation Apps: Google Translate [https://translate.google.com/] can help bridge the language gap if you don’t speak Sinhala or Tamil.
- Ride-hailing Apps: In large cities, ride-hailing applications such as PickMe and Uber (which have limited availability) can be useful for transportation.
Currency Exchange:
The national currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). In large cities and popular tourist locations, ATMs are widely accessible. But since change might be hard to come by, it’s always a good idea to have some small-coin currency in hand for local transactions and taxis.
Opening Hours of Important Places:
- Stores: Store hours can change, although they are usually open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Some stores close between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM for lunch. Muslim Shops close on Fridays from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM for their prayers. Most of the shops are closed on public holidays.
- Banks: On weekdays, banks are open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Certain banks such as Sampath Super Banks operate on Saturdays too.
- Government Offices: On weekdays, government offices are typically open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Restaurants: Depending on the location and kind of establishment, restaurant hours can change. However, the majority of eateries serve lunch and dinner patrons.
