Travel guide – sri lanka
sri lanka
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Overview
The island of Sri Lanka lies off the southern tip of India in the Indian Ocean, a verdant paradise that is the cradle of the Buddhist faith. Apart from hundreds of miles of the world's most beautiful palm-fringed beaches, Sri Lanka boasts no fewer than seven World Heritage Sites listed by Unesco, ranging from sacred cities, palaces and cliff-top citadels to colonial strongholds, spanning close to 3,000 years of history. To complete the picture of perfection, Sri Lanka is situated just three degrees north of the Equator, meaning the weather is constantly hot, humid and tropical. Sunny skies are the order of the day; even in the brief monsoon season there is always a daily spell of sunshine.
There has, however, been trouble in paradise. Modern Sri Lanka has experienced indigenous terrorism, particularly in the north of the island and the metropolis of Colombo city, but the beautiful beaches and towns of the south and southeast coast have been unaffected. Anyone travelling to Sri Lanka is advised to acquaint themselves with the current political and security situation before embarking on their visit. To compound matters, the island's tourism infrastructure is still recovering from the effects of the catastrophic tsunami which devastated coastal areas in December 2004. (See Basics: Safety in this guide).
Adventurous visitors who enjoy some mystery and wonderment will, however, marvel at the ancient sites of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Panduwasnuwara, where the remains of a great civilisation are to be seen. The cities of Colombo and Kandy show the influence of the foreign colonial powers that fought for control over the strategic, lush island in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Dutch-inspired buildings stand cheek to jowl with Victorian British mansions and Portuguese fortifications.
Sri Lanka offers leisure and pleasure opportunities at a gentle pace; this is no package holiday destination but rather one to be savoured by discerning travellers who enjoy discovering their own diversions.
Regions and cities within Sri Lanka...
Colombo
Matara
Climate
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with high humidity, tempered by sea breezes on the coast. The average temperature is about 81ºF (27ºC). January is the coolest month, becoming especially cold in the highlands, and May is the hottest time of year. Monsoon season is between May and July, and December and January.
Health
Food and waterborne diseases are a primary cause for ill health in travellers. Visitors should only drink bottled water, avoid ice in drinks, and take care to eat well-cooked food. Cholera is regarded as a serious risk and precautions are advised, while typhoid is more of a problem in rural areas. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required by travellers coming from infected areas. Malaria and dengue fever are a risk throughout the year. Travellers are strongly advised to take out good travel insurance, and seek medial advice at least three weeks before leaving for Sri Lanka. There is also a particular danger from contaminated seafood.
The basics
Time
GMT +6.
Electricity
230 volts, 50Hz. Round, three-pin plugs are used.
Language
Most people speak Sinhala which is the national and official language. Tamil is also spoken, and English is spoken at most tourist establishments.
Tipping
A 10% service charge is added to most restaurant and hotel bills. Tipping is a customary way to show appreciation for almost all services and small amounts are sufficient, otherwise 10% of the amount due is standard. There is no need to tip taxi drivers.
Safety
There is a risk of terrorism in the country, and although foreigners have not been the targets of previous attacks, there is a risk of being caught up in incidents, such as the attacks on 29 November and 11 December 2004 where grenades were thrown into a bus in Trincomalee and in a concert in Colombo respectively that caused death and injury. Following the assassination of the Foreign Minister in Colombo on 12 August 2005, a state of emergency was declared, and visitors should avoid public gatherings and demonstrations. There has been a dramatic increase in political violence since December 2005. The Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been involved in long-standing conflict which has resulted in indigenous terrorism, particularly in the north and northeast of the country. A ceasefire agreement has been signed, but violence continues and visitors should keep themselves informed of developments and remain vigilant. As a result of the conflict much of the north and east remains heavily mined, particularly around the A9 road to Jaffna, and travellers are advised to avoid the area unless travel is essential, except for Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay. Violent crime against foreigners is infrequent, but there have been cases of sexual assault and robbery in rural areas and women are advised to take care when travelling alone. Asian Tsunami: The tsunami on 26 December 2004 caused large-scale damage and extensive casualties along the eastern, southern and south-western coastline of Sri Lanka. A number of the hotels in the south and south-west are now functioning as normal. Anyone planning to travel to those areas should check with their tour operators and/or the hotel before departing that the hotel has re-opened for business. Most hotels on the east coast in Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay suffered major damage and remain closed.
Communications
The international country dialing code for Sri Lanka is +94. The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Sri Lanka also has area codes. International direct dial facilities are available in Colombo and other major cities. Four mobile phone operators provide GSM 900 and/or 1800 frequency networks with coverage across all the main parts of the island. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.
Duty Free
Travellers to Sri Lanka over 18 years do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 2 bottles wine and 1.5 litres spirits; perfume up to 59ml and 250ml eau de toilette; souvenirs to the value of US$250. For family members travelling together free import applies for two members. Passengers must declare personal effects to ensure free export when they arrive in Sri Lanka. Restricted items include firearms, ammunitions, explosives and weapons, plants, fruits, birds and by-products, medication (unless it is for personal use), and goods for commercial purposes. Prohibited items include drugs or narcotics, pornographic material, and material that ridicules religious belief systems.
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