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| Sri Lanka |
Overview
Depending on your viewpoint, Sri Lanka’s shape resembles either a pearl or a teardrop, cast adrift in the Indian Ocean.
Those who consider this country a teardrop may do so because of its long history of troubles. The first Europeans to arrive in Sri Lanka were the Portuguese, quickly supplanted by the Dutch in the 17th century. The British acquired Sri Lanka (as Ceylon) from the Dutch in 1796, assuming full control in 1802. But once the country became a Republic in 1972, adopting a new constitution along with the Sinhala name, Sri Lanka, serious conflict arose from the Tamil minority’s (occupying the north and east parts of Sri Lanka) demands for a separate Tamil state, with terrorist activity by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam prevalent since the 1970s.
The Indian government became involved in this conflict, initially as official mediator but then, after the failure of an armistice in 1987, intervening militarily (on the government’s side). Its two-year military campaign ended with the death of over 1,000 Indian soldiers and an ignominious retreat. The assassination of Indian premier Rajiv Ghandi in 1991 was the apotheosis of the Tigers’ campaign of revenge. After that, the war entered a period of effective stalemate. Outside the Tiger-controlled areas in the north and east, the political environment was dominated by the struggle between the country’s two main political groupings – the centre-right United National Party and the People’s Alliance (a coalition of social-democratic and socialist parties).
General Information
Area
65,525 sq km (25,299 sq miles).
Population
19.4 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density
296 per sq km.
Capital
Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (official). Population: 115,826 (2001). Colombo (commercial). Population: 2.2 million (2005). Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is only 10km (6 miles) from Colombo.
Government
Democratic Socialist Republic since 1978. Gained independence from the UK in 1948.
Language
Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Religion
Buddhist majority (70%), with Hindu, Christian and Muslim minorities.
Time
GMT + 5.5.
Climate
Tropical climate. Upland areas are cooler and more temperate, and coastal areas are cooled by sea breezes. There are two monsoons, which occur May to July and December to January.
Required Clothing: Lightweights and rainwear.
Passport/Visa's
Passports
Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Not required by nationals of countries referred to in the chart above, who will be issued with visas free of charge for a period of 30 days on arrival at Colombo Airport (for touristic visits only), except the following:
1. nationals of Malta and the Slovak Republic who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) All business visitors from countries referred to in the chart above require a visa. (b) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist and Business: £38 (up to three months); fee given is for UK nationals. Fees vary according to nationality; contact the consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses. Multiple-entry visas cost £114 (three months) or £189 (12 months).
Validity
As above. Visitors can request to extend their stay by applying to the Department of Immigration & Emigration, 23 Station Road, Colombo 3 (tel: (1) 259 7513). This is issued at the discretion of the authorities who must be satisfied that the applicant has at least US$30 per day for the stay and holds an onward or return ticket for travel.
Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses. British nationals, travelling as tourists, may obtain a visa upon arrival, upon port of entry into Sri Lanka, for up to 30 days.
Working Days Required
At least three.
Money
Currency
Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of LKR1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of LKR10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. There are also large numbers of commemorative coins in circulation.
Currency Exchange
Foreign currency must be changed only at authorised exchanges, banks and hotels, and these establishments must endorse such exchanges on the visitor’s Exchange Control D form, which is issued on arrival and must usually be returned at the time of departure.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Diners Club has more limited acceptance.
Traveller's Cheques
The rate of exchange for traveller’s cheques is better than the rate of exchange for cash. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Banking Hours
Mon-Sat 0900-1300. Some city banks close at 1500, whilst some even have night bank facilities.
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