Tourist Information of Sri Lanka

Information for Tourist

Customs Duties

The Sri Lanka tariff is based on the Harmonized System of Nomenclature. Import duties are normally based on the CIF value.

Travel Documents and Period of Stay

Visitors to Sri Lanka must possess a valied pasport together with an apporopriate entry visa where required. Extension of stay would be granted on application to the Controller of Immigration and Emigration. Under an oder effective from 1.1.90, visit visas will be issued on arrival to each passenger carrying a minimum od US Dollars 30 per day and an outbound air ticket. The Controller of Exchange has authorised that visitors not carrying foreign currency but valid international credit cards be issued entry visas.

Health Regulations

Visitors to Sri Lanka are required to hold, (if arriving via infeted areas) certificates of vaccination against yellow fever and cholera.

Currency Regulations

Foreign Currency should be encashed only at banks or authorised money chargers of the Exchange Control Dept. The currency declarations made at entry to te country may be required at this stage.

Accommodation

Awide variety of accommodation is available, ranging from international chain hotels to informal guest houses. The price of a single room (room only) is between US dollars 50 to US Dollars 70 in a Five Star Hotel. Detailled information is available from

The Travel Information Centre,
Sri Lanka Tourist Board,
78, Stewart Place,
Colombo 3.
Sri Lanka.

Tel. +94-1-437054 or +94-1-437060

Hotels

Hotel Galadari - Colombo
Hilton - Colombo
Hunas Falls Hotel - Kandy
Sigiriya Village - Sgiriya
St. Andrews Hotel - Nuwara Eliya
Seashells Hotel - Negombo
Sea Garden Hotel - Negombo
Yala Safari Beach Hotel -Yala
Royal Oceanic Hotel - Negombo
Blue Oceanic Hotel - Negombo
Tropical Villas - Beruwila

Air Route to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's Main Airport is the Katunayale International Airport, which is 29 km. from the city. Coach Services ply at regulat intervals between the Airport and the city. Taxi services are also available.

AirLines

Following Airlines have regular services to and from Colombo.

Air Lanka Ltd.
Aeroflot Soviet Airlines
Balkan Bulgarian Airlines
British Airways
Indian Airlines
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Kuwait Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines
Saudi Aradian Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Thai Airways International Ltd.
UTA French Airlines
Quantas

Travel in Sri Lanka

Air :
It is possible to charter helicopters and certain light Aircraft from Sri Lanka Air Force, Heli Tours or Upali Travels Ltd.

Rail :
Railway travel is comparatively cheap. Sleeping cars are available on journeys to more distant parts of the island. These should be booked in advance.

Road :
There is a good network of metalled roads throughout the island connecting all principal towns. Hiring vehivles comprise cars, coaches, and self drive cars with or without A.C. Taxies are available in Colombo and in most of the principal towns.