Sri Lanka travel advice

Risk level

Safety and security

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occur frequently in Colombo, and occasionally elsewhere in the country. Security forces may use tear gas and water cannons during violent protests.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

More about mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Security forces

The Sri Lankan military continues to maintain a strong presence in the country’s north and east, including the Jaffna Peninsula. Military and police checkpoints could be established and roads could be closed suddenly.

Security forces have wide-ranging powers, including the authority to:

• impose curfews
• detain individuals without charge for extended periods
• search individuals, vehicles, residences and businesses

Individuals of Sri Lankan heritage, including those who don’t have Sri Lankan citizenship, have been detained on occasion by police or security forces. 

• Always carry valid photo identification with you
• Keep an eye out for signage warning of military or demining zones
• Keep to well-travelled roads
• Avoid venturing in forested areas or abandoned properties
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• If you’re detained, ask the authorities to contact the High Commission of Canada

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism. People have been killed in past attacks.

Further attacks can’t be ruled out. Targets could include:

• government buildings
• schools, including universities
• places of worship
• airports and other transportation hubs and networks
• public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Landmines

Despite mine clearance efforts, marked and unmarked minefields may still be present in parts of the Jaffna Peninsula and eastern Sri Lanka.

If you are travelling in the affected areas:

• be especially vigilant in remote areas
• stay on paved roads
• stay on main roads
• avoid walking in fields
• avoid roadside ditches, shoulders and unmarked trails
• pay attention to signs indicating the possible presence of landmines
• report any suspicious items to local authorities

Crime

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, occurs frequently, especially on public transportation. Theft has occurred in hotels and guesthouses.

During your stay:

• keep your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, in a secure place
• do not show signs of affluence or wear expensive jewellery
• do not carry large sums of cash or valuables unnecessarily
• be aware of your surroundings, especially in busy tourist areas
• keep doors and windows locked at night or when you’re away

Lost or stolen belongings abroad

Violent crime

Violent crime occurs. Cases of assault, including sexual assault, have been reported by Western foreigners.

During your stay:  

• always be aware of your surroundings 
• avoid isolated areas 
• travel in groups 
• Remain calm and do not escalate a conflict in case of an attack

Fraud

Credit card, debit card and ATM fraud

Credit card fraud is common.

When using your debit or credit card:

• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• pay careful attention when others are handling your cards
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• use ATMs located in public areas or inside a bank or business
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Online scams

Online scams are increasing in Sri Lanka. They are often initiated through Internet postings or profiles or through unsolicited text messages and WhatsApp messages. Common scams include:

• romance/online dating
• contracts with promises of large commissions
• work permits or job offers

To avoid falling victim to an online scam:

• be cautious when posting information or photos on social media
• beware of people who show a keen interest in you online
• keep in mind that you may be the victim of a scam if you go to Sri Lanka to meet an online acquaintance in person
• always meet new acquaintances in a secure and familiar location
• know the risk of inviting new acquaintances to your accommodation

Inter-communal tensions

Inter-communal and religious tensions exist throughout the country and have led to violence. Further violent incidents could occur.

Shortages and the economic situation

Although Sri Lanka's economic situation has stabilized, there are occasional shortages of certain medicines and food items.

Spiked food, drinks and other items

Foreigners have been targeted in incidents of drink spiking, followed by sexual assault or theft. Never leave your food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as these items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

Women’s safety

Women are often the target for unwanted attention and frequently subject to harassment in public. They should exercise caution when travelling alone.

Reports of sexual assault against foreign travellers are increasing. If you’re the victim of a sexual assault, you should report it immediately to the nearest Government of Canada office.

Advice for women travellers

Swimming

Tidal changes and strong winds can cause dangerous riptides.  

Public beaches are generally unsupervised.

• Respect the areas reserved for swimming
• Always maintain a safe distance from boats and restricted areas
• Always respect warning flags advising of dangerous conditions
• Avoid beaches and coastal areas if the weather forecast is poor
• Do not dive in unfamiliar waters, as hidden rocks or shallow waters can cause serious injury or death

Crocodiles are present in some parts of Sri Lanka. Ask locals about safe swimming areas and avoid swimming in rivers.

Wildlife observation

Wild animals can be dangerous, particularly if you are on foot or at close range.

• Always maintain a safe distance when observing wildlife
• Only exit a vehicle when a professional guide or warden says it’s safe to do so
• Only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators
• Closely follow park regulations and wardens’ advice

Tourist facilities

Tourist facilities are widely available, but quality varies, especially inland. You should arrange travel to remote areas through a reputable travel agency.

Roads

Road conditions are usually poor outside major cities.

Drivers can be aggressive and reckless. Road accidents, often causing death and injuries, are common.

Driving can also be dangerous due to:

• poorly maintained vehicles
• stray animals and livestock
• pedestrians on the road

If you plan to travel by car in Sri Lanka, consider hiring a driver.

Public transportation

Buses

Travel by public bus is generally unsafe due to aggressive drivers, poor maintenance and the risk of theft.

Taxis

Taxi availability may be limited outside city centres.

• Only use officially marked taxis
• Avoid hailing taxis on the street
• Only use reputable taxi companies through establishments such as hotels or ride-sharing applications
• Never share a taxi with strangers
• Make sure the driver does not pick up other passengers on the way to your destination
• If there is no meter, confirm the fare in advance
• Have small bills available for payment

Tuktuks

Tuktuks are widely available. You should agree on a fare before departure and have small bills available for payment.

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Sri Lankan authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Sri Lanka.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: required 
Business visa: required 
Student visa: required 
Work visa: required

You must apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to obtain a visa for tourism or business purposes.

An ETA allows for a short visit of up to 30 days. Carry a copy of your ETA approval when you go through immigration upon arrival.

If you plan to visit Sri Lanka for medical treatment exceeding 30 days or for investment, you will need to apply for a residence visa.

Visas and ETAs may be extended at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo.

You cannot convert a visa status once in Sri Lanka. Non-compliance with visa restrictions may result in deportation.

You will also need to fill out an online arrival card. You can complete the online form 3 days before arriving in Sri Lanka.

Electronic Travel Authorization form –Department of Immigration and Emigration

Special permissions

Journalists and media crews need permission to travel to some northern districts.

Entry into Sri Lankan waters, at any point, requires prior permission.

Other requirements

Customs officials will ask you to show them: 

• a return or onward ticket 
• proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay 

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine vaccines

Make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel, no matter where you’re going.

These may include vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal disease, seasonal flu, and others.

Provincial and Territorial Immunization Information

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

When travelling in this destination, you might be at risk for diseases that can be prevented with vaccines or medications. Talk to a travel health care provider about which ones are right for you based on your travel plans.

The highlights below will also tell you if your destination may require that vaccine for entering or exiting.

Safe food and water precautions

Eating or drinking unsafe food or water, or swimming in contaminated water can make you sick while travelling. Take precautions by following these tips:

• Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it (only eat food that is prepared safely)
• Avoid, if possible, getting water in your eyes, mouth, or nose when swimming in freshwater (like streams, lakes, or canals), especially after heavy rain or flooding - the water might look clean but can still be contaminated 
• Don’t swallow water when bathing, showering, swimming in pools, or using hot tubs 

Eat and drink safely abroad

Tick and insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by bites from infected ticks and insects like mosquitoes, fleas, or flies. Before you travel, find out what types of ticks or insects are in the area, when they’re most active, and what diseases they can spread.

To protect yourself from bites:

• use an approved bug spray (insect repellent) on exposed skin
• wear light-coloured, loose clothing made of tightly woven materials like nylon or polyester
• wear socks and closed-toe shoes
• sleep under mosquito netting if you’re outdoors or staying in places that aren’t fully enclosed
• do a full body tick check on yourself, your children, your gear, and any pets you’re travelling with when you return from outdoor activities

Insect bite and pest prevention
Personal insect repellents

Animal precautions

Some infections can spread directly from animals to people, like rabies or bird flu (avian influenza). Others don’t spread directly from animals but can infect people who visit areas animals have contaminated with their droppings or body fluids.

Certain activities can increase your chances of coming into contact with animals, their droppings, or their body fluids, like:

• travelling in rural or forested areas
• camping, hiking, or visiting caves
• visiting places where live animals are sold or killed for food, like wet markets

To reduce your risk of getting sick:

• avoid contact with animals like stray dogs, livestock (such as pigs and cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats.
• stay away from places where animal waste can build up, such as caves
• avoid eating undercooked meat

Make sure to closely watch children; they are more likely to try to touch animals.

Person-to-person infections

When travelling, you can reduce your risk of getting or spreading respiratory infections, like the flu or COVID-19, by:

• staying at your accommodation and limiting contact with others if you’re sick
• wearing a well-fitting mask, especially: 
  
  • if you’re sick and need to be around others 
  • when you’re at large indoor events or in crowded settings, like sporting events, concerts, and airports
• cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
• covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)
Clean your hands to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases
Respiratory infectious diseases: How to reduce the spread with personal protective measures

To lower your risk of getting sexually transmissible infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox, you can:

• get vaccinated against mpox if you’re eligible
• practise safer sex methods
  • use barrier protection during sexual activity, like condoms and dental dams.

Mpox vaccines
Sexual health and travel
HIV and AIDS: Travel health advice

Medical services and facilities

Medical services and facilities do not meet the standards you might normally expect in Canada. 

Medical facilities in certain areas outside of Colombo are limited.

Medical facilities may require confirmation of insurance coverage, guarantee of payment or an upfront deposit before admitting patients.

Medical evacuation can be very expensive, and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

• Pack your own luggage and monitor it closely at all times
• Never transport other people’s packages, bags or suitcases

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Alcohol

The legal drinking age is 21 years.

Alcohol consumption in public places is prohibited. It’s illegal to purchase alcohol on full moon (Poya) days and generally on religious holidays.

Exports

Exporting antiques without a proper licence is illegal.

Photography

Photographing and filming government and military installations, as well as in any designated high-security zone, is prohibited.

Dress and behaviour

You may be fined, arrested or deported for:

• posing for a photograph next to a statue of Buddha
• having tattoos, jewellery and clothing associated with Buddhism
• having your back to a statue or image of Buddha

To avoid offending local sensitivities: 

• dress conservatively 
• behave discreetly 
• respect religious and social traditions and artifacts

Identification

Carry official identification at all times.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Sri Lankan law criminalizes sexual acts and relationships between persons of the same sex. 2SLGBTQI+ persons could also be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

2SLGBTQI+ persons should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Sri Lanka.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Driving

Traffic drives on the left.

If you plan to rent a car, you must bring your Canadian driver’s licence or an International Driving Permit issued outside Sri Lanka. You will then need to obtain a temporary driver’s licence or a recognition certificate from one of the following:

• the permit counter at Bandaranaike International Airport
• the Automobile Association of Ceylon in Colombo
• the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) in Werahera

Canadian driver’s licences are accepted only at the DMT. They must be accompanied by a certified translation if not in English.

International Driving Permit

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Sri Lanka.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Sri Lanka, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Sri Lanka.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Sri Lanka, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Sri Lankan court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Sri Lanka to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children's Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

Useful links

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Children and travel
• The Hague Convention – Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Money

The currency of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR).

Credit cards are widely accepted in major urban and tourist centres. You may encounter difficulties in making credit card cash withdrawals. There are ATMs in major cities, but some do not accept international cards.

Natural disasters and climate

Climate change

Climate change is affecting Sri Lanka. Extreme and unusual weather events are becoming more frequent and may affect your travel plans. Monitor local media for the latest information.

Monsoon and rainstorms

The rainy season (or monsoon) extends from December to March in the northeast and June to October in the southwest.

Severe rainstorms can cause flooding and landslides, which can lead to deaths, injuries and large population displacements.

• Monitor local media for the latest information, including on road conditions 
• Stay away from flooded areas 
• Monitor weather reports 
• Follow instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders 

Useful links

• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Weather forecasts – Sri Lankan Department of Meteorology
• Disaster warnings and weather reports – Sri Lankan Disaster Management Centre

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Sri Lanka is located in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes and tsunamis may occur.

A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. However, the risk of a tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you’re staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region’s evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning. 

Liens utiles

• Tsunami alerts – U.S. Tsunami Warning System
• Tsunami alerts – Bangladesh Meteorological Department