TRAVEL WARNING
Overview Sri Lanka
Current information
Due to construction work, air traffic at Bandaranaike International Airport is currently only between 4.30 p.m. and 8.30 a.m. Due to the increased number of passengers during these hours, travelers are advised to arrive at the airport early. Check-in desks close 90 minutes before the scheduled departure; transport after the counters have closed is excluded. Travelers can ask the airlines for more information.
Country-specific safety instructions
There have been no more terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war in May 2009. The military and police are still visibly present. Instructions for security checks should be followed. Large crowds and demonstrations should be avoided, as escalation of violence and arrests cannot be ruled out.
All travelers have the opportunity to add themselves to the Federal Foreign Office’s crisis prevention list (external link, opens in a new window Website: http://elefand.diplo.de). If necessary, safety instructions are sent about this. In particular, travelers who are not part of a package tour group are advised to make use of this option. Package travelers may be informed about the security situation in the country of travel via the tour operator.
Travel to all holiday areas in Sri Lanka is possible.
There is a comparatively increased military presence in the northern province. There are still isolated demining operations taking place there. In the vicinity of military camps and in mined areas, access restrictions sometimes apply. General caution is advised. Tourist infrastructure is mainly available in Jaffna and is developing in neighboring regions.
When traveling to the districts of Trincomalee (also Upuveli and Nilaveli), Batticaloa and Ampara (Arugam Bay), you can expect military presence and occasional checkpoints along the roads and in public transport (bus, train). A tourist infrastructure is developing again along the coastal strip in the east.
Traveling to the hinterland in the east can be difficult. An increased mine risk cannot be ruled out here. In the Yala National Park you can only travel in the so-called “Block 1”.
Travel over land
When traveling overland, the train is preferable to public buses, which are often involved in serious accidents due to reckless driving.
Driving at night is not advisable for reasons of road safety outside the cities; Pay special attention to the often unlit traffic control points, even in urban areas.
MONEY
Currency
1 Sri Lankan rupee = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: Rs, LKR (ISO code). Banknotes are available in denominations of 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 RS. Coins worth 5, 2 and 1 RS as well as 50 and 25 cents (extremely rare). There are also numerous commemorative coins in circulation. US $ and Euros are sometimes accepted as means of payment.
Credit cards
Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted, Diners Club is less common. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted in Europe and worldwide. Further information from banks and credit institutes. ATMs are available in many places, often in smaller ones.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank customer card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the options for using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 9 am-1pm / 3pm, e.g. T. also in the evening and Saturday mornings.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import of the national currency is limited to 250 Rs, the export of the national currency is prohibited in Sri Lanka, a country located in Asia according to localtimezone.
The import of foreign currencies must be declared for an amount equivalent to US $ 15,000 or more (import of Indian and Pakistani currencies not permitted). When exporting foreign currencies in excess of the equivalent of US $ 5,000, the receipts received at the time of import stating the declaration of the full amount imported as well as exchange receipts must be presented, even if the amount imported is less than the equivalent of US $ 15,000 $ is.
Currency Exchange
Foreign currencies may only be exchanged in authorized banks, exchange offices and hotels; the transactions must be entered in the form D issued upon entry. You should check with a bank before entering the country, as some currencies (e.g. those of Pakistan and India) are not exchanged. The better exchange rate can be obtained by exchanging on site.
