Sri Lanka Travel Information

Travel Alert Status

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Time Difference

UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Travel Climate

Monsoons produce two rainy seasons. The southwest monsoon lasts roughly from May to September. During this period, the southwestern part of the island, including Colombo, receives much of its average annual rainfall of 100 inches.

The northeast monsoon, from about October or November through February, provides the northern and eastern parts of the island virtually all their average annual rainfall of 60 inches. Monsoon showers can become torrential in the Colombo area. December through March generally proves the driest period.

Travel Currency

Sri Lankan rupee (LKR)

Languages

Sinhala (official) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8%. English is widely understood.

Ethnic Groups

Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Moor 7%, Burgher, Malay, and Vedda 1%

National Holiday

Independence Day (National Day), 4 February (1948)

Geographic Coordinates

7 00 N, 81 00 E

Location

Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India

Airports

Sri Lanka Weather

Sri Lanka Currency Exchange

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Sri Lanka Travel Video

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