Language – Though Sinhala and Tamil are the official language, you will find that most people understand and speak English, while some even speak German and French.

Transport – Getting around is a breeze and quite inexpensive – choose from metered taxis (major cities and airport), 3-wheeler scooter taxis, private and public buses or rail. Public and private buses are the cheapest form of transport, while trains serve a number of prime locations. (Contact the Railway Tour Information Department for more details.) There are also several established Rent – A – Car companies.

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Shopping – Sri Lanka is a shoppers’ paradise! Best Buys include Leather Goods, Carved Masks, Textiles, Tea, Spices, Clothes, Handicrafts, Gems & Jewellery and Ceramics.

What to Wear – The humidity in Sri Lanka’s hot tropical climate averages around 90 percent during the year. So, soft, practical and comfortable clothing is a prerequisite at any given time. On a trip to the cooler climes of the Hill Country however, carrying a sweater or jersey is important. A formal, lounge suit or dress could come in useful for evenings depending on the venue you happen to visit. You must however be fully – attired when you enter Temples and other sites of religious worship.

Airport – Bandaranayake International Airport is around 30 Km north of Colombo. Transportation to and from the airport is available in the form of Buses and Taxis.

Sri Lanka – Profile
Land Area - 65,525 Sq. Km
Population - 19 Million
Population Density - 309 people per Sq. Km
Ethic Composition - Sinhalese 74%
Tamils 18%
Muslims 7%
Others 1%
Literacy Rate - 91.8%
Life Expectancy - Female 74
Male 69
International Time - 6 Hours ahead of Greenwich Time