Travelers with special needs, Especially if they visit Sri Lanka without a companion, should note that the country has relatively few facilities for disabled people, although greater awareness and improvements are evolving. The Colombo airport [ Katunayaka] however has wheelchairs and assistance for embarking and disembarking passengers. Institutions, sundry offices and banks are becoming better-equipped with wheelchair ramps and such like. If you aren’t traveling with a companion, you’ll find that Sri Lankans will be only too eager to assist.
Foreign currency regulations
Visitors to Sri Lanka bringing in more than US $10,000 should declare the amount to the Customs on arrival. All unspent rupees converted from foreign currencies can be re-converted to the original currency on departure as long as encashment receipts can be produced.
Sri Lanka’s Currency
The local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee, one hundred cents making one rupee. As ibn most countries the CENT has depreciated beyond any value and one hardly gets a peep out of coins in the cents range. Currency notes are in the Rs.5000. R.s2000, Rs.1000, Rs.500, Rs.100, Rs.50, Rs.20 and Rs.10 denominations. The lion watermark can be found on a genuine currency note and one needs to check one’s notes when doing any currency transaction lest you end up with counterfeits. Coins are in denominations up to Rs10. Make sure you have plenty of lower denomination notes (Rs50, Rs100, Rs500), especially when traveling and you need to buy small items, fruit, and eat cheap meals, because change is often hard to come by apart from at hotels and big shops.
Bank
Banks are open from 0900 hrs to 1300 hours Monday to Friday. Some city banks close at 1500 hrs, while some are open on Saturday mornings. It’s easy to withdraw money across the island at ATMs using international credit cards or debit cards.
Credit cards
Most hotels, restaurants and shopping centers accept credit cards. Some establishments may try to add a surcharge, which is illegal.
Electricity
Island wide supplies are restricted to 230-240 volts, 50 cycles AC. If you travel with a laptop computer take a stabilizer with you.
Plug Types
Mostly round and square pin plugs are used in Sri Lanka. Travelers are advised to borrow those two types of power connectors or multi-pin plugs.
Languages
Sri Lanka has two official languages. Sinhala and Tamil – with English as a link language. Most people have some knowledge of English with very many boasting superior English language skills , a fact that often amazed the tourist. Most of the signboards are in English and that too should tell the discerning intellect much about the real Sri Lankan multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic culture.
