An economic crisis has impacted Sri Lanka since 2020, causing shortages of necessities and medical services. Lengthy rolling blackouts that can last as long as 13 hours per day have also be initiated.
Particularly in Colombo, violent protests erupted due to the dire economy and dissatisfaction towards the government. The President's House was occupied by protesters, and other key infrastructure were affected as well. Tear gas and water cannon were frequently used, a state of emergency was declared, and a curfew was implemented by authorities. Stay away from protests and comply with government orders.
Colombo (Sinhala: කොළඹ, Tamil: கொழும்பு) is the largest city and commercial capital of Sri Lanka, and still perceived by many as the capital though the suburb of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is now the official capital. Just like another typical South Asian big city, Colombo is congested, noisy, busy, and vibrant with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings. It is the financial centre of the island and a popular tourist destination.
Colombo is the commercial and financial capital of Sri Lanka after the administrative capital was moved to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, a suburb east of the city. "Colombo" could refer to either the city proper, or to Greater Colombo that includes the areas of Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.
Due to it being on a strategic route in the Indian Ocean, Colombo hosts one of the busiest ports in South Asia, and was known to traders 2,000 years ago. It was an important port on the Maritime Silk Road. Today, the city is the centre of the country's activities and is home to most of the country's restaurants and entertainment venues.
Colombo has a tropical monsoon climate, bordering on tropical rainforest climate, so the weather is warm or hot around the year with temperatures usually around 25 °C-30 °C, and wet during much of the year. For the best weather, visit during the north-east monsoon season, including the driest months December to March. There's also a shorter dryer period in July and August.
The Portuguese gave the city its current name, which is derived from Sinhala: kolon thota - "port on the river Kelani" or kola-amba-thota - "harbour with leafy/green mango trees" or kolamba - "ford or harbour". And thanks to its natural harbour it has been a trading point for thousands of years, visited by traders from as far as China and the Roman Empire. From the 8th century Arab traders settled in the area and eventually came to control the trade through Colombo.
They were followed by the Portuguese, who in 1505 made a treaty with the Kingdom of Kotte where they were allowed to establish a trading post in Colombo and trade in cinnamon in exchange for protection from outer invaders. The Portuguese eventually set up a fort, expelled the Arabs from Colombo and proceeded to take over the whole island, formerly ruled by many kingdoms, over the course of the 16th century. The surroundings where the fort stood are now known as the Fort district, though the Dutch tore it down replacing it with their own fort, which the British replaced with military barracks and other buildings, and the barracks were demolished in the 1970s to make room for the Colombo World Trade Center.
The Portuguese presence in Sri Lanka was marked by a long war, the Sinhalese-Portuguese war from 1527 to 1658. The Dutch, Portugal's main rival during the age of colonization became involved in the war and took over Colombo in 1656. The city became a centre for the Dutch East India Company's operations on the island, and by that they also came to control the rich cinnamon lands in the region.
In 1796, during the Napoleonic Wars, Colombo was captured by the British, first serving as a military base and from 1815 on as the capital of British Ceylon. During British rule, Colombo grew and started developing into the city it is today and many of its notable landmarks were built during this period. The first representative government on Sri Lanka, the Legislative Council of Ceylon, was established in 1833.
After World War II, in 1948, Ceylon became a British dominion, and in 1972 an independent republic. After that a decision was made to move the capital out of Colombo, to the suburb of Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. The new parliament opened in 1982 and officially it is the national capital, but the relocation of governmental offices is reportedly still in progress. Even so, Colombo, the biggest city by far, remains the commercial capital and the centre of much of what's going on in Sri Lanka.
Colombo is divided into numbered administrative districts. They're used for postal services but also for indicating where in the city a place is, and some businesses include them in their address information. There are 15 districts in Colombo. Outer districts have higher numbers – see the adjacent map.
| | | | style="width:100px;"| Postal number | City suburb | | Colombo 1 | Fort | | Colombo 2 | Slave Island, Union Place | | Colombo 3 | Kollupitiya | | Colombo 4 | Bambalapitiya | | Colombo 5 | Havelock Town, Kirulapana/Kirulapone, Kirilapone North/Kirulapone North | | Colombo 6 | Wellawatte, Pamankada, | | Colombo 7 | Cinnamon Gardens | | Colombo 8 | Borella | | Colombo 9 | Dematagoda | | Colombo 10 | Maradana, Panchikawatte | | Colombo 11 | Pettah | | Colombo 12 | Hulftsdorp | | Colombo 13 | Kotahena, Bloemendhal | | Colombo 14 | Grandpass | | Colombo 15 | Modara/Mutwal, Mattakkuliya, Madampitiya |
Air service to Colombo is provided by the national airline Sri Lankan Airlines and foreign airlines, mostly from India and Asia. Direct flights are available from major centres in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast and East Asia and Australia, as well as from many cities throughout the subcontinent.
Ground transportation from Katunayake Airport (Bandaranaike International).
The international airport is closer to Negombo than to Colombo, so if you're arriving late, it might be a better option to head to Negombo for the night instead. Confirm the cost of any mode of transport before using it.
Airport taxi: immediately after leaving customs there's a taxi counter on your right. Tell them your destination and they will print you a voucher with the price. An A/C van from the airport to Colombo 1 (Fort) cost Rs 2904 (2013). Other popular taxi services: Kangaroo Taxi and taxi yala airport taxi service Airport Taxi booking. Most 4- or 5-star hotels have their own counter just outside the arrivals hall.
You can also take a tri-shaw aka tuk-tuk from the bus depot (get there by free airport shuttle bus), it takes about an hour and Rs 1500 (2011) from airport to Galle Road.
This is the cheapest way to get into Colombo, but will take some effort and time. The public bus #187 to Colombo Fort leaves from the airport bus depot, where you can get by catching a free shuttle or walk for about 10-15 min. To catch a free shuttle bus, come out of the airport, turn left and walk all the way to the end of the building. You will not find any signs, so be sure to ask airport personnel. You will see an old white bus with a sign that says main terminal. Get on this bus and ride for 5 minutes till the bus depot. From the bus depot, catch bus #187 to Colombo at a cost of Rs 40 (although the bus collector may try to make tourists pay more 'for luggage' etc., the typical luggage a tourist may carry is not supposed to be accommodated in public transport, thus be prepared to not even be allowed in the bus if there is a crowd waiting to take the bus) to Colombo Fort station. Only the big white buses (similar to the airport shuttle) will be Rs 40, the smaller buses with aircon will charge foreigners definitely more, like Rs 70-100. The personnel in minivans are often cheaters; if they are asking more than Rs 150, refuse to pay and just walk away.
The journey into Colombo Fort could take anything between an hour and fifteen to two hours. Once you reach Colombo Fort, you can get a three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) to get to your destination, it should not cost more than Rs 150 to go to hotels near Galle Face. Or catch a bus to Galle Face, less than Rs 10.
This is probably the least known way to get into Colombo, but completely possible. Take either the free airport shuttle to the bus station and then follow the road (Canada Friendship) to the Katunayaka South station (around 1 km, if you don't have luggage) otherwise just to take a tuk tuk right from the airport to the train station. Should be Rs 100, if you're good at haggling you might get them down even a bit more.
Then, at the train station, get a ticket to Colombo Fort, you'll be arriving right next to where the buses drop people off. Cost is Rs 30. Trains are sometimes delayed, but driving relatively frequently, around 1 per hour, more during rush hour. It will take around 1 hour to get to Fort station, so definitely quicker than by travelling by bus, if you manage to just catch a train without much waiting. Check online timetable (look for Katunayake, as "Katunayake Airport" station is not in use) on one of the free computers in the terminal when arriving about the next train, if it suits you, it's an easy way into the city for very little.
Long-distance train services are starting to improve after decades of neglect due to the civil war. Sri Lankan Railways resides over an increasing network with the central station Colombo-Fort as main hub. As of early 2021 there are daily trains from Jaffna, Kandy, Batticaloa and Badulla, and on weekends from Nanuoya. Nighttrains from Badulla, Batticoloa, Trincomalee and Vavuniya.
Apart from the government-owned SLR there's ExpoRail (dead link: January 2023) with a high-end service on the Badulla-Kandy-Colombo stretch. Prices are about twice as much as the government trains but still affordable for a tourist, the ticket includes an onboard meal.
Fort Station is in the heart of the city, next to Colombo Fort and Pettah and close to the meeting points of the A1 and A4 highways. The station provides access to businesses and offices in Colombo Fort, as well as the markets at Pettah.
Maradana Railway Station is another major rail hub in Colombo. The station is served by Sri Lanka Railways, with many inter-city and commuter trains entering each day. It is the terminus of several intercity trains. Maradana is home to the suburban-Colombo network's centralised traffic control centre.
The Sri Lanka Transport Board is the government-owned bus service. Buses are the principal mode of transport in the country. If you cannot speak or understand Sinhalese, however, travelling by bus might prove more difficult than train travel but is entirely feasible and may be much quicker. Prepare for severe over-crowding and make sure to confirm your destination with the driver and conductor of the bus.
The three primary bus terminals — Bastian Mawatha, Central, and the Gunasinghapura Bus Terminals — are in Pettah.
Passenger services linking Sri Lanka with India at Tuticorin have been suspended for many years. It will still be many years until they are re-established, if ever.
Getting around by Tri-shaw (Three wheeler, tuk-tuk) is most convenient. Most three-wheelers do not have any meters fitted with them and so you have to always negotiate and agree on a price before you take a trip. But it's best to hail a meter taxi (identified by the words "Meter Taxi" on its windshield) that is travelling in the direction that you need to go instead of hiring one from the parking area or the tuk-tuk stand. The meter taxi costs Rs 50 for the first kilometre and Rs 30 for every additional kilometre plus waiting fees.
The Sri Lankan Tourist Development Authority also operates its own fleet of 'tuk-tuks' around Colombo which are tourist friendly and metered to ensure that travellers are aware of the price being paid. Tourist board tuk tuks are distinguishable by their unique paintings. These three-wheelers can be booked 24 hours a day by calling 0712 500 800 or 0772 299 299.
Colombo has an extensive network of buses going around the city/region. It's fairly easy to find the right one by asking locals or your accommodation. Fares depend on the type of bus and distance. Prices start usually at Rs 10. Travelling by bus is an adventure in itself!
Taxis are safer and much more comfortable than tuk-tuks.. There are 'Tata Nano' cars in service nowadays and the charges start from Rs 40 per kilometre with air-conditioning. The tuk-tuks also offer their service for a fee of Rs 30 per km and do not forget to go for the ones with the "Metered Taxi" name board in front. Others may not have the meters running. Uber is available in Colombo with options for smaller cars (Go and Zip), as well as UberX, but XL is not available. A local ride-sharing app called Pick Me allows to order everything from a tuk tuk to a van, although there have been reports about the app not working for all users.
Car rentals: it is also possible for travellers to hire car with or without a driver. Many companies based in Colombo offer such services.
Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, Lankamatha Road, Ragama suburb of Colombo (from Ragama Railway Station 2 km NE or bus to stop 'National Basilika Ave'), 7.03586°, 79.93554°. A Roman Catholic church with basilica status. The church is home to the venerated statue of Our Lady of Lanka.
St Luke's Anglican Church, Borella district of Colombo-8, 6.918056°, 79.874838°. The church plays an important role within the history of the Church Missionary Society on the island.
St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church, Polwatte (159, St Michael’s Road, Colombo 3) (Cameron Pl corner; 100 m east of Kollupitiya Jumma Mosque), 6.91347°, 79.85194°. It was dedicated on 29 September 1887 and is a landmark in Kollupitiya, a suburb of Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. A magnificent building of stone, mortar and wood.
St Andrew's Scots Kirk church, No. 73, Galle Road, Colombo 3 (close to the High Commission of India), 6.91893°, 79.84768°. It was founded in the late 19th century, and prospered during the colonial and post-colonial periods, it was a centre for the Scots element in Colombo, the capital city of what was then Ceylon.
St Lucia's Cathedral, St Benedict's Street and St Lucia Street, Kotahena (in the northeast of Colombo; 200 m north of Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium), 6.94824°, 79.86406°. The seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo in Sri Lanka.
St Paul's Church (1853), Galle Rd, Milagiriya district (Dr Lester James Peries Mawatha Street corner; take bus to stop 'Milagiriya'), 6.88593°, 79.85840°. It is one of the oldest churches in Sri Lanka. Built by the Portuguese as a Roman Catholic church, and was known as Nossa Senhora dos Milagres
Buddha Jayanthi Chaithya stupa, Colombo Harbour, 6.93843°, 79.84191°. A Buddhist shrine, built with reinforced concrete.
Gangaramaya Temple, 61, Sri Jinarathana Road, Colombo 2 (Hunupitiya Lake Rd corner), 6.916639°, 79.85654°, +94 11 2 435169. One of the most important temples in Colombo. The temple's architecture is an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese styles. And adjoining it just to the west is the Seema Malaka, another Buddhist temple complex that sits upon Beira Lake, along with Gangamaraya Park. Some urban and eccentric views of the surrounding skyline can be had from here, including looking back on the Altair Sri Lanka apartment tower that looks like one building falling on another.
Sri Bala Selva Vinayagar, 6.90786°, 79.89263°. Hindu temple in Colombo 10. Devoted to Shiva and Ganesh.
Kalani Raja Maha Viharaya., 6.9516°, 79.9187°. Located about 9 km away from Colombo, the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya is one of the most significant Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. The temple had been built more than 2,000 years ago and contains images of reclining and preaching Buddha along with frescoes depicting incidents from his life.
Memm Harnafi (Dawatagaha Jumma Masjid), Dr C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha, 6.91586°, 79.86471°. Mosque founded by C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha.
Church of St Anthony, 6.94682°, 79.85627°. It is beside the sea where Sea Street and St Anthony’s Mawatha meet.
Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, Second Cross Street in Pettah, 6.9385°, 79.8518°. This historic mosque is a popular tourist site. Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque was built in 1909 by the Pettah Muslim community to fulfill their required five-times-daily prayer and Jummah on Fridays. It is one of the oldest mosques in Colombo.
Victoria Masonic Temple, Galle Face, Colombo 03, 6.92293°, 79.84797°. It is the meeting place for the Masonic Lodges. It was built in 1901 during British rule and designed by E. Skinner, an associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and built by the Colombo Commercial Company. The building was built in neo-Georgian style mixed with elements of Eastern architecture.
Wolvendaal church, 363, Galle Road, Colombo 06, 6.9421°, 79.859°. One of the oldest churches built during the Dutch era in 1749. The interior is decorated with Dutch furniture with the wooden carved pews, chairs, pulpit and lecterns.
India House, 6.90110°, 79.85843°. The official residence in Colombo for the Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka. Built in 1926-27 for the Imperial Bank of India and taken over by the Government of India in 1956. It is a colonial style villa/bungalow, with large gardens along Thurstan Road. It is guarded by personnel from the Border Security Force.
Lakshmigiri Mansion (Saifee Villa), 6.89967°, 79.85962°. A bungalow at 102, Thurstan Road in Colombo.
Storm Lodge., 142 Galle Rd, Colombo-03, 6.9146°, 79.8479°. A mansion, owned by the Colombo Swimming Club.
The Lighthouse., 6.9112°, 79.8659°. A large bungalow. Owned by the Sri Lankan Government and houses the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies. It is in the Cinnamon Gardens a suburb of Colombo, it was built by D. Peiris.
Whist Bungalow (Pradeepa Hall), 6.96851°, 79.86864°. A large bungalow. A 19th-century stately home modelled on Neoclassical style. It is in Mutwal north of Colombo on the coast where the Kelani River used to meet the Indian Ocean. It is now used as a reception hall for weddings.
Slave Island 📍 is a commercial suburb popular with locals and visitors alike with shopping, eating and drinking places as well as many hotels. People of many cultures and religions including Malay, Sinhalese, Tamil and Burghers (Eurasian Sri Lankans), call the suburb home.
When Sri Lanka was a Portuguese colony, the area was a camp for African slaves, and due to this history, the British gave the island its name. During the British era the Slave Island railway station was built, a notable Victorian landmark. Many historical buildings have been replaced by modern high-rises or left to decay.
Places to shop include:
Sri Lankan mines produce some fine gemstones, especially sapphires and moonstones, and Colombo is one of the main places where they are marketed. Cut but unmounted stones and finished jewellery are sold in many places. The beach town of Beruwela, about 55 km to the south, also has a large gem market. Ratnapura, 100 km south, is in the centre of the main gem mining area and also has large markets.
See our article on gemstones for more detail.
Sri Lankan food can be very spicy, so visitors not accustomed to spicy foods will need to exercise caution.
That said, Colombo has a wide range of food places, and there should be something for almost any combination of food preference and budget.
Available everywhere are small bakeries selling rotis (either flat or folded into triangles filled with egg, vegetable or fish), hoppers (bowl shaped pancakes made with coconut milk), and other "short eats" (bread-based snacks or fried foods). The price of individual items range from Rs 50-100.
Buy a "lunch packet" from street stands practically anywhere in the city. Typically, it will be a filling meal of rice and vegetables for about Rs 180.
Colombo's nightlife is on par with most other Asian destinations and features a number of establishments that offer decent music and drinks, served in a pleasant atmosphere. Expect the music to range from 80s retro to modern chart toppers as elegant partygoers dance the night away sipping the poison of their choice. Most clubs close around 04:00, R&B perhaps a little later.
Mount Lavinia 📍 is about 20 minutes away from the city and has a good deal of nightlife. The beach and the friendly people draw plenty of visitors. Along the beach are a variety of restaurants that serve alcohol have food to suit every budget. The variety of the beach spots themselves are interesting, from nice little coves for a quiet chat a and a drink to well lit, busy places with dance floors, music courtesy of a live DJ and well stocked bars. Try Jo Jo's, a quiet little place where they serve pretty decent food and drink and has a nice homey feel to it. Buba, on the other side of the Mount Lavinia Hotel which divides the public beach is also popular.
Mount Lavinia also serves as the gay district of Colombo. Although not home to any gay bars, it is a very gay friendly town and always plays host to Colombo's Gay Pride week in June. Do not be surprised if some bars have the rainbow flag flying on the beach.
Popular watering holes include:
Whitehorse, 6.91946°, 79.85003°. 2020-01-21
In... on the Green, 6.92022°, 79.84643°. 2020-01-21
7 Degrees North, 6.9294°, 79.8496°. 2020-01-21
Cheers, 6.91845°, 79.84829°. 2020-01-21
Most nightclubs may charge admission and smart/casual dress is encouraged with trousers and shoes a must.
After a night out, some people will end with a late night snack, try e.g., Hotel de Pilawoos along the Galle Road in Kollupitiya to enjoy a Chicken Roti (chicken and cheese wrapped in a roti) followed by an iced Milo (sweet chocolate and malt flavoured drink)
Colombo's cheap accommodations in the centre of town apart from the famous YMCA (containing a gay bathhouse) are mostly concentrated along the road opposite the Colombo Fort Railway Station. Many rooms are available but with shared bathrooms. These, however, tend to be dirty and dingy affairs that even seasoned travellers are unlikely to tolerate.
Moving south along Galle Rd, one can find a lot of more reasonable housing. Around Kollupitiya, you will still be dealing with air-conditioned concrete boxes where a sleazy clerk will tell you that they have a "budget single room for only 57 dollars". Further down south, prices and people will get more reasonable. There are quite a few small hotels in the side streets off Galle Rd. in Wellawatte area. If you continue south and get as far as Mount Lavinia, there will be hundreds of small guesthouses, some of them very affordable, in a quiet old-fashioned area with a lot of greenery and right by the sea (the only problem being that it's far from the centre). As of May 2014, typical costs were Rs 1,000-2,000, depending on the room quality. Buses 100, 101 and others go down Galle Rd. from Colombo Fort station (Rs 20 to get to Wellawatte).
Galle Face Hotel, 2 Galle Road, Kollupitiya, Colombo 3, 6.920008°, 79.846208°, +94 11 254-1010, reservations@gallefacehotel.net. A famous, old fashioned colonial style grand hotel. Most rooms come with a view of the ocean or the Galle Face Green. The hotel also has a variety of restaurants on site to choose from, including: The 1864 and Verandah. Spa and butler services are also available for guests. Rs 15536
Hotel Nippon, 123, Kumaran Ratnam Road (Slave Island, Colombo - 2), 6.92387°, 79.85227°. Decent rooms fitted with air-con, cable TV, etc. It is located in a prime location in the city close to all essential sight seeing spots. Some of its facilities and services are restaurant, and bar. Rs 13131
The Havelock Place Bungalow, 6-8, Havelock Place, Havelock Town, Colombo 5, 6.88530°, 79.86513°, +94 11 258-5191. A boutique hotel, consisting of two restored colonial homes. Tastefully decorated using antique colonial furniture. Provides wireless Internet, pool, jacuzzi, restaurants.
Uga Residence, 20 Park street, Slave Island, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka, 6.91740°, 79.85823°, +94 11 5673000. Near major shopping centres and business establishments. Decked with colonial touches, like antique furniture and high ceilings. Rooms are equipped with Jacuzzi, DVD player and refrigerator.
Tintagel, 65 Rosmead Place, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka, 6.91316°, 79.87084°, +94 114 602 060. Situated in Rosmead Place. Once a stately home to the political Bandaranaike family. The 10 elegant suites have high ceilings and timber floors. They open to a private courtyard, balcony, or separate lounge area. Each suite also has king-size beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, and a bathroom with a rain shower and bath.
The Kingsbury Colombo, 48 Janadhipathi Mawatha, Fort, Colombo 1, 6.93299°, 79.84201°, +94 112 421 221, hotel@ceyloncontinental.com. Has 250 rooms, all with views of the city or Indian Ocean. Various onsite restaurants and cafes on site. 24-hour room service, fitness facilities and spa services.
Cinnamon Grand Colombo, 77 Galle Road, Kollupitiya, Colombo 3, 6.91794°, 79.84848°, +94 11 243-7437, reservations@cinnamonhotels.com. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: noon. Has a spa and meeting facilities. US$127
Taj Samudra, 25, Galle Face Centre Road, Kollupitiya, Colombo 3, 6.92261°, 79.84682°, +94 11 244-6622. A variety of rooms; they range from standards with views of the sea and pool to presidential suites with separate dining and dressing areas. Also equipped with a fitness centre, book shop and swimming pool. There are also a variety of restaurants ranging from casual in dress to fine dining.
Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, 115, Sir Chittampalam A.Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 2, 6.92901°, 79.84935°, +94 11 249-1000, lakeside@cinnamonhotels.com. As of Dec 2012, the rooms were quite tired and are in need of renovation. The price they ask does not reflect this. Despite this, the service is good and otherwise is a reasonable place to stay.
Colombo Courtyard Boutique Hotel, 32 , Alfred House Avenue, Colombo 03, 6.897765°, 79.856454°, +94 114 645 333, info@colombocourtyard.com. Has a wine cellar, a rooftop café, cloud café, spa, pool side dining options. The Scarlet restaurant offers European, Mediterranean and Asian food. Starting from US$117 2017-04-20
Shangri-La Hotel, 6.9284°, 79.84442°, +94 117 888 288. Luxury class hotel tower standing out among the mushrooming skyline of Colombo. Rs 24627 2020-12-31
Cinnamon Red Colombo, No. 59, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, +94 112 145 145, reservations@cinnamonhotels.com. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: noon.
Colombo is like most other South Asian capitals. Although it is not as dangerous as one would think, tourists should be very vigilant. Many first time visitors to Colombo find themselves falling victim to scams and touts; however, seasoned visitors to Sri Lanka are rarely scammed and it is very simple to avoid being a victim of scammers as long as you take precautions such as:
Once you are past the scammers, Colombo is a far more welcoming destination than other South Asian cities. Certainly single women, although not advised to explore every nook and cranny of the city on their own late at night, will not find the pestering attentions of leering men. Sri Lankan women are also very "western" in their dress sense, so it is very normal to wear skirts, tank tops, etc. You may get a few whistles and hellos from bored school boys, but they are more friendly and not meant to be threatening, so just ignore it and they will leave you alone.
The civil war that once raged is now long over, with much development occurring since. The country is now generally free from terrorism, though in April 2019, an Islamist terrorist bomb attack against churches and hotels in Colombo and elsewhere in Sri Lanka killed 259 people and wounded more than 500.
SIM cards for unlocked phones may be purchased upon arrival at the international airport.
Mobile data is a simple way of connecting when traveling in Sri Lanka. The internet is supplied through Data cards (this is the local interpretation of the item) . They are simple, small-sized scratch coupons available in almost every store in the city. A data card is priced according to variations of the package and the company manufacturing it. A few trustable companies are Dialog, Mobitel, Hutch and Airtel.
In a normal coupon, usage details are normally applied in the back, along with a hidden serial number which can be accessed by scratching off the top layer with a coin (Quite similar to a scratch lottery). You have to dial the given ussd code and proceed with the instructions given in the back of the card. If you are not so sure about trusting local stores (scammers are present in most of them), you can easily request a card from the hotel reception (depends on the hotel quality, a low budget hotel might not serve willingly.) or visit the company headquarters (most of them are located in Colombo).
WiFi can be accessed easily in the city. Travelers can either log into free public WiFi which is usually available in parks, cafes and shopping malls, or they can log onto the hotel WiFi by requesting the password from the reception. Most hotels provide free WiFi. Public WiFi is usually slow and laggy due to high usage, WiFi in hotel lobbies are the same, however, WiFi provided in hotel rooms works well.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division