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| Location |
| An island off the south-eastern coast shores of India, 880 km north of the equator, in the Indian Ocean. |
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| Size |
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| 65,525 sq km |
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| Capital |
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| Sri Jayawardenepura |
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| Commercial Capital |
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| Colombo |
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| National Flag |
| National Flag of Sri Lanka is the Lion Flag. A Lion bearing a sword in its right hand is depicted in gold on red background with a yellow border. Four Bo leaves pointing inwards are at the four corners. Two vertical bands of green and orange at the mast end represent the minority ethnic groups. It is an adaptation of the standard of the last King of Sri Lanka. |
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| National Flower |
The Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea stellata) is the National Flower.
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Population |
19 million
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| Population density |
309 people per sq km
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| Life expectancy at birth |
74 female, 64 male
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| Literacy rate |
91.8%
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| Languages |
Sinhala, English and Tamil is widely spoken throughout Sri Lanka, with the exception of remote villages.
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| Ethnic mix |
Sinhalese- 74 per cent; Tamil- 18 per cent; Muslim -7 per cent; Burgher (descendants of Dutch and Portuguese colonist) and others- 1 per cent
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| Religion |
Buddhism- 70 per cent; Hinduism- 16 per cent; Christianity- 7 per cent; Islam-7 per cent
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| Climate |
| Low Lands – tropical, average 270C |
Central Hills – cooler, with temperatures dropping to 140C. The south-west monsoon brings rain to the western, southern and central regions from May to July, while the north-eastern monsoon occurs in the north and east in December and January. Sri Lanka has a good climate for holiday-makers throughout the year.
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| Currency |
Sri Lanka follows decimal currency system in Rupees (Rs.) and cents (Cts.) with 100 cents equal to a rupee. Currency notes are available in the denominations of Rs. 10,20,50,100,200, 500 and 1000. Coins are issued in values of Cts. 25 and 50 and Rs.1,2,5 and 10. The intervention currency continuously will be the US Dollar.
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| Visa |
| Entry & VISA Formalities |
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For nationals of most countries who arrive in the country as bona fide tourists, visas are issued on arrival for 30 days. Extension of tourist visas is handled by the Department of Immigration and Emigration, for further details call Tel: 011 2597511.
Countries whose nationals who get visa on arrival are as follows |
| All the countries in the SAARC region. |
| A |
Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan |
| B |
Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria |
| C |
Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic |
| D |
Denmark |
| E |
Estonia |
| F |
Finland, France |
| G |
Georgia, Germany, Greece |
| H |
Hong Kong (China), Hungary |
| I |
India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy |
| J |
Japan |
| K |
Kazakstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan |
| L |
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg |
| M |
Malaysia, Maldives |
| N |
Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway |
| O |
Oman |
| P |
Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal |
| Q |
Qatar |
| R |
Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation |
| S |
Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
| T |
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan |
| U |
United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Ugoslavia |
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Consult your local Sri Lanka embassy, consulate, tourist office or your travel agent. For more information you could also visit www.immigration.gov.lk |
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| Working week |
Sri Lanka works a five-day week, from Monday to Friday.
However, many private establishments are open ½ day on Saturday.
Shops are open for business from 9 am(or 10 am) until 8 pm
Some key department stores are open for business on Sundays too |
| Business hours |
| Government offices 8.30 a.m. - 4.15 p.m, Monday to Friday |
| Banks |
| 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. or 3.00 p.m. Monday to Saturday |
| Post office |
8.30 a.m.- 5.00 p.m.,
Monday to Friday
8.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. on Saturday. The Central Mail Exchange, at D.R.Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10, (Telephone : 2326203) is open 24-hours
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| What to wear |
| Cotton garments are the ideal as Sri Lanka is a tropical island. However, viscose/cotton mixed garments are commonly worn. Light clothing is recommended in the lowland areas and light woollen clothing is suitable in the hill country. A sun hat and sun glasses may help to escape the heat during day time. |
| Currency |
| Sri Lanka follows decimal currency system in Rupees (Rs.) and cents (Cts.) with 100 cents equal to a rupee. Currency notes are available in the denominations of Rs. 2,10,20,50,100,200, 500 and 1000. Coins are issued in values of Cts.1,2,5,10,25,50 and Rs.1,2,5 and 10. |
| Entering Places of Worship |
| Visitors to Buddhist temples are advised to be properly clad covering the body in full. Briefs, shorts, bear backs and bare shoulders are against accepted norms. When entering Buddhist and Hindu shrines footwear and headgear should be removed. |
| Tourist Information |
| Those who intend visiting Sri Lanka can obtain more information from SriLankan Holidays Franchise Operators, the overseas offices of SriLankan Airlines or the Ceylon Tourist Board or the Sri Lanka Missions in their home country. A Sri Lanka Tourist Board Travel Information Counter at the Airport operates twenty four hours of the day to assist visitors arriving in the Island. SLTB Travel Information Centres at No.80, Galle Road, Colombo 3 (opposite Cinnamon Grand Hotel) and at Kandy also provide information to tourists. |
| Customs Regulations (INBOUND) |
| Declare all your valuable equipment, jewellery and gems. If you have nothing to declare, go through the “Green Channel”. Baggage should not contain goods for others, goods in commercial quantities, and prohibited or restricted goods. You are required to take back all your personal effects when departing the country. You are entitled to bring in 1.5 liters of spirits, 2 bottles of wine, 200cigarettes or 50 cigars, a small quantity of perfume and travel souvenirs not exceeding US $ in value. |
| Customs Regulations (OUTBOUND) |
PERMITTED: You are entitled to take out what you have declared and brought into the country, and whatever you have purchased locally, such as gems, jewellery and Sri Lanka products with the funds brought in. Three kilos of Sri Lanka tea, duty free, foreign currency declared and brought into the country. Unused Sri Lanka currency should be reconverted to foreign currency at departure.
NOT PERMITTED: Gems and jewellery or valuable equipment not declared on arrival or not purchased in Sri Lanka. Gold (crude, bullion or coins) . Firearms, explosives and dangerous weapons. Antiques, statues, treasures, old books, etc., Animals birds or reptiles (dead or alive) and their parts. Tea, rubber and coconut plants. Dangerous drugs
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