Sri Lanka Travel Safety Guide
What are the emergency numbers in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka emergency numbers: 119 (Police), 110 (Ambulance), 111 (Fire Department).
Is Sri Lanka safe for travelers?
Low level crime has increased, with theft from hotels, guesthouses, and street bag snatching by riders on motorbikes all reported.
Large protests can happen at short notice and may trigger curfews, roadblocks, or tear gas. Avoid all demonstrations.
What health risks should travelers know about in Sri Lanka?
Tap water is not the safest default for short term visitors. Bottled or properly filtered water is the safer choice.
Dengue and heat are more relevant day to day risks than cold weather.
What laws should tourists know about in Sri Lanka?
Drug laws are strict, including for cannabis.
How is transportation in Sri Lanka?
For cities and tourist corridors, PickMe and Uber are the most useful default ride apps where they operate. They are usually safer than negotiating every street pickup.
Traffic can feel chaotic, especially with buses, tuk tuks, and motorbikes. Crossing the road often needs more patience and eye contact than visitors expect.
What should travelers know about money in Sri Lanka?
Currency is Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). Cards are accepted in many hotels, supermarkets, and better restaurants, but cash is still important for tuk tuks, smaller shops, and local transport.
Bank card fraud is common. Use ATMs inside banks or hotels where possible and keep cards in sight when paying.
Tipping is moderate. Check whether a service charge is already included before adding more.
What practical info do travelers need for Sri Lanka?
Plug types commonly include D, G, and M, 230V.
City Specific Info
Colombo
Colombo combines the highest card fraud risk, protest disruption, and dense traffic. Use bank or hotel ATMs and keep extra time for road delays.
Which embassies are in Sri Lanka?
Mostly in Colombo.
Afghanistan
Australia
Bangladesh
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
Holy See (Vatican City)
India
Indonesia
Italy
Japan
Maldives
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Palestine
Romania
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
South Africa
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the emergency number in Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka, you can reach police at 119, ambulance at 110, fire services at 111. These numbers work from any phone, including mobile phones without a local SIM card.
Is Sri Lanka safe for tourists?
Low level crime has increased, with theft from hotels, guesthouses, and street bag snatching by riders on motorbikes all reported.
What currency is used in Sri Lanka?
Currency is Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). Cards are accepted in many hotels, supermarkets, and better restaurants, but cash is still important for tuk tuks, smaller shops, and local transport.
What health precautions should I take in Sri Lanka?
Tap water is not the safest default for short term visitors. Bottled or properly filtered water is the safer choice.
What laws should tourists know about in Sri Lanka?
Drug laws are strict, including for cannabis.
Get wayGard for iOS
Get all of Sri Lanka's safety info offline.
