Sri Lanka
The practical basics before you go: plugs, emergency numbers, money, tipping and the time.
The country in brief
About 21.8 million people live in Sri Lanka, on 65,610 km². The capitals are Colombo and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
- Capital
- Colombo and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
- Population
- 21,756,000
- Area
- 65,610 km²
- Official languages
- Tamil and Sinhala
No land borders
Facts change, so check the important things before you travel.
Population: World Bank, 2025 (CC BY 4.0). Capital, area and languages: Wikidata. Facts fetched October 30, 2026.
Before you go
Which plugs are used in Sri Lanka?
Sockets take plug type D/G/M, at 230 V and 50 Hz.
What is the emergency number in Sri Lanka?
Call 119 for the police, 1990 for an ambulance and 110 for the fire brigade.
Do you tip in Sri Lanka?
About 10 %.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Sri Lanka?
Traffic drives on the left, so look right first when you cross the street.
What currency is used in Sri Lanka?
Prices are in Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR).
What language do they speak in Sri Lanka?
Official languages: Tamil and Sinhala.
How do I call a number in Sri Lanka from abroad?
To call a number there from abroad, start with +94.
Entry rules and travel advice
Visa rules depend on your passport and can change at short notice. Your own government keeps them up to date, so check its advice before you book.
Links checked October 30, 2026.
