Information that could be a life safer when travelling in Sri Lanka for International Travellers

Air

The National Airline in the Sri Lankan airlines.
(UL) (Website: www.srilankan.lk).

Approximate flight times

USA – SRI LANKA = 18 hrs and 38m

LONDON – SRI LANKA = 10hrs and 30m

SINGAPORE – SRI LANKA = 3hrs and 31m
Main airports

There are two main airports in Sri Lanka.

The Bandaranayke international airport in Katunayake which is 29km (19 miles) north of the city. You can find duty free shops, restaurants, bars, banks, post offices, car hires available to suit your requirements.

Travel by Bus

Buses travel to the city regularly and it only takes 45-60m.

Travel by Train

You could even get the train to Maradana station which is located 1.6km (1 mile) from the city. It is a 60m journey.
Sea

Name City Description
Port of Colombo Colombo Largest port in the country
Port of Hambantota Hambantota New port in the south
Trincomalee Harbor Trincomalee Fifth largest natural harbor in the world
Port of Galle Galle Regional Port
Port of Point Pedro Point Pedro Minor harbor, the northern-most in the country

Duty Free
The following items can be imported into Sri Lanka by a person who is over 18 years of age without any customs duty applied:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 340g of tobacco;

2 bottles of wine and 1.5l of spirits;

A small quantity of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.

Prohibited items are as follows
Firearms, explosives and dangerous weapons; ivory; antiques, statues and treasures; old books; animals / birds / reptiles (dead or alive) and parts; tea; rubber; coconut plants; dangerous drugs.

Please Note that
(a) only two members of the same family traveling together are entitled to free import allowances.

  1. b) Valuable belongings such as jewelry must be declared on arrival in Sri Lanka.

(c) There is no gift allowance.

(d) Unused Sri Lankan currency should be reconverted to foreign currency upon departure. You are not permitted to leave Sri Lanka with currency in excess of Rs.250.