Sri Lanka

SAFETY: poor
In the country's various tourist areas, the usual precautions are advised.
Common crime, such as theft or pickpocketing targeting foreigners, may occur, particularly in the tourist resorts in the south of the country.

TRANSPORT: poor
The roads are not in ideal condition, although over 80% of them are paved. Traffic is fairly heavy, and there is a reasonable choice of public transport as well as domestic flights.

Main airports: Colombo (Bandaranaike and Ratmalana), Jaffna (Kankesanturai)
Ports: Colombo, Galle

ACCOMMODATION: good
The country has a wide choice of accommodation of various kinds, categories and prices.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. – Location: in the Indian Ocean, with the Bay of Bengal to the north-east, separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait; – Borders: the Bay of Bengal to the north, the Indian Ocean to the west and south, and the Andaman Sea to the east. – Time zone: 4 hours 30 minutes ahead of Italy; 3 hours 30 minutes ahead when daylight saving time is in force in Italy. – Area: 65,610 km² – Capital: Colombo. – Population: 21,203,000. – Religion: Buddhist 73%, Hindu 15%, Muslim 7% (steadily growing), Christian 5%. – Languages: the official languages are Sinhala and Tamil. English is widely spoken only in the capital and in the tourist areas. - Units of measurement: the metric system is in use.

CURRENCY: Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) - Currency and customs formalities: sums in excess of 10,000 US dollars must be declared to the border authorities. Please note that the euro is generally accepted and can be obtained at the main banks in Colombo. US dollars in cash, travellers' cheques and credit cards are also accepted. It is advisable to keep exchange receipts in case you wish to change rupees back into euros or dollars when leaving the country, as the local authorities require them. The export of antiques more than 50 years old is prohibited. - Credit cards: mainly usable in tourist establishments, since in rural areas - especially in the north - there are few cash machines and few businesses that accept electronic payments.

ELECTRICITY: Voltage: 230 V and 50 Hz. – Sockets: types D and M (bring an adapter).

DOCUMENTS. A passport is required, with at least six months' remaining validity. At least one blank page is needed (for the visa), but it is advisable to have two available. – Driving: holders of an international driving permit must obtain a driving permit from the AAC. This formality is subject to a fee; holders of an Italian driving licence must apply for a provisional permit valid for one month by presenting the Italian licence and two photographs to the Department of Motor Traffic in Colombo, on payment of a fee of 1000 LKR. Department of Motor Traffic (RMV) Werahera Branch (Foreign Driving Licences) Horana Road, Boralesgamuwa.
Insurance: compulsory third-party insurance, to be taken out locally.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES:  International dialling code: 0094. – Telephones: not all of the country has coverage, but mobile phones work reasonably well in all the main cities. It is advisable to check costs and coverage with your Italian operator. – Web domain: .lk. Emergencies: Tourist Police, 119 - Ambulances: Red Cross 0094.11.269.10.95 - 269.44.87, Fire Brigade: 242.22.22

RULES, LAWS AND CUSTOMS:
Legislation on drug use and/or dealing: drug legislation is very strict, with sentences of up to life imprisonment in the most serious cases. Although a de facto moratorium on the death penalty for drug-related offences has long been in force, some political parties are insistently calling for it to be reinstated.
Legislation on sexual abuse or violence against minors: the local authorities pay particular attention to cases of paedophilia and child prostitution, for which severe prison sentences are laid down.
It should also be remembered that those who commit offences against minors abroad (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution) are prosecuted on their return under the laws in force in Italy.
In the event of problems with the local police authorities (detention or arrest), it is advisable to inform the Embassy of Italy in Colombo so that the necessary assistance can be provided.

HEALTH SITUATION:
No compulsory vaccinations are required; the quality of the health service is low. The capital has a few medical facilities of an acceptable standard. Medicines are not readily available.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: Numerous festivals are celebrated according to the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Muslim calendars. January, Duruthu Perahera (Buddhist); March-April, Easter (Christian); February, National Day; March-April, New Year; May, Wesak or Festival of Lights (Buddhist); 22 May, Republic Day; July-August, Kandy Esala Perahera (Buddhist); July-August, Vel Festival (Hindu); July-August, Kataragama Festival (Hindu); according to the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid al-Fitr, end of Ramadan (Muslim); according to the Islamic lunar calendar, Ghadir-e Khom, birthday of the Prophet (Muslim); 25 December, Christmas (Christian)

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Sat 9.30-16.30 - Banks: Mon-Fri 9.00-13.00 - Shops: Mon-Sat 9.00-17.00

CLIMATE: tropical monsoon, hot and humid. The monsoon rainy seasons, with frequent violent downpours (sometimes lasting whole days), traditionally run from May to September in the south-western regions and from November to April in the north-east. Lately, however, the seasons have become less predictable, and storms can occur even outside the monsoon periods. Average temperatures, in both the dry and the monsoon seasons, are high (around 30 degrees Celsius) and constant, with no significant variation or daily range, except in the upland plantation areas, where the climate is milder and cooler, and the mountain resorts, where winter night-time temperatures can drop to 2-3 degrees Celsius.

Monthly min/max temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain) /monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES
Embassy of Italy in Colombo
55, Jawatta Road, Colombo 5
Tel.: (0094 11) 2588388 –
Fax: (0094 11) 2596344 or 2588622
Duty officer's mobile for emergencies: (from Italy) 0094 777 488688 (from Sri Lanka) 0777 488688

e-mail: ambasciata.colombo@esteri.it