General Information

Weather

While the monsoon season in southwestern Sri Lanka runs from May to September, August is something of an exception, with fewer days of rainfall in parts of the country (particularly near Colombo and the west coast). Temperatures in most of Sri Lanka are fairly stable year-round, cooling off slightly during the monsoon. In August, Colombo experiences highs of around 30°C and lows of 26°C, while in Kandy, highs are around 28°C. At the hill station of Nuwara Eliya, which is cooler than the rest of the country, temperatures can run as low as 12°C. Northeastern Sri Lanka is still in its dry season, so temperatures are sunny and hot. In Jaffna, highs are an average of 32°C, in Trincomalee, they reach 35°C, and in Anuradhapura, they reach 33°C.

Electricity

The voltage in Sri Lanka is 230 Volts and the frequency of the electric current is 50 Hz.
Sri Lanka hotels and homes use 3-pin plug sockets. Old-day sockets come as 3-round pins (Type D), but most modern buildings have square pins (Type G).
The current power supply in Sri Lanka is stable when compared with the breakdowns and fluctuations in the previous months. More than 93% of the country has electricity and western province its nearly 100%. Now the Jaffna peninsula is also connected to the national grid and has a 24-hour electricity supply.

Currency and Exchange rate

Sri Lanka’s official currency is known as the Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR), which is available in various denominations, including 5000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, and 20. The country’s central bank is responsible for regularly releasing the daily exchange rates.

Please refer to the link below to know the prices:
https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/rates-and-indicators/exchange-rates/daily-buy-and-sell-exchange-rates

TAX

Under normal circumstances, hotels in Sri Lanka typically apply a 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) rate along with a 1% Tourism Development Levy (TDL), a 2.5% Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL), and a 10% Service Charge. Similarly, some guest houses, restaurants, and other establishments offering comparable services and registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority may follow the same tax rates, but there could be variations. If these businesses are not registered for VAT, they might not apply the 15% VAT, but they could levy other charges. The exact charges in such cases cannot be stated definitively.

Regarding transportation services, it is common for most service providers not to be registered for VAT. However, if they do register for VAT, they may then apply the standard 15% VAT rate.

Please note that tax regulations and policies may change over time, so it’s essential for customers to inquire about the specific charges applicable to the services they are availing during their visit or stay in Sri Lanka.


Language

The official languages of Sri Lanka are Sinhala and Tamil, which have equal status under the constitution. Sinhala is the mother tongue of the Sinhalese people. In addition to the official languages, there are also many other languages spoken by minority groups in Sri Lanka.

Useful Sinhala Phrases.

English Sinhala Tamil
Hello
Ayubowan
Vanakam
Yes
Ow
Aam
No
Naha
Illai
Thank you very much
Bohoma sthuthi
Mikka Nandri
Good Morning
Suba udasanak wewa
Kaalai vanakam
Good Afternoon
Suba dahawalak wewa
Madiya vanakam
Good Evening
Suba sandawak wewa
Maalai vanakam
Good night
Suba rathriyak wewa
Iniya iravu
Sorry
Samawenna
Mannikavum
Nice to meet you
Munagaseema sathutak
Ungalai sandiththadil mahilchi
I don’t know you
Mama obawa danne naha
Ennaku ungalai theriyadu
See you again
Nawatha hamuwemu
Meendum sandippom
Please
Karunakarala
Thayavuseithu
How are you?
Oyata kohomada?
Eppadi irukiringal?
What is your name?
Oyage nama mokakda?
Ungal peyar enna?
My name is ____
Mage nama ____
Enathu peyar
Hotel
Hotalaya
Sapattu viduthi
Breakfast
Ude ahara wela
Kaalai unavu
Lunch
Dawal ahara wela
Pagal unavu
Dinner
Rathri ahara wela
Irawu unavu
What is the time now?
Dan welawa keeyada?
Ippoluthu neram enna?