Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is like the Asia in miniature. With a surface area smaller than Ireland, Sri Lanka hosts some of the best beaches, historical and cultural sights, capital colonial cities and a lush hill country. Offering star class accommodation, restaurants serving fusion cuisine from various cultures and of course quite a buzzing nightlife. Sri Lanka boasts its natural beauty with some of the best national parks, hikes and water activities. Sri Lanka is a truly the pearl in the Indian Ocean and is an enriching experience that will always be remembered.
Tipping.
Restaurants and bars- A tip of 10% is the usually accepted tip at restaurants.
Taxi- Tipping is not necessary, but you can round the fare if you like.
Hotels- You can tip hotel staff about Rs 100 or 200 for good service at the end of your stay.
Lingo in Sri Lanka.
The national languages in Sri Lanka are tamil and sinhala. While hotels and restaurant staff understand english, taxi drivers and other vendors may only know basic english. Getting around is not difficult but it helps to know a few simple phrases get by. .So lucky for you, we got you covered. Here’s a couple phrases to help you get by.
General lingo.
Subha udǣsanak /Kālai vaṇakkam (sinhala/ tamil ) = Good morning
Kohomadhe? / Celakkiyama? (sinhala / tamil )= How are you?
Isthuthi / Nandri (sinhala/ tamil) = Thank you
Karunakerara / Tuyavu ceytu (sinhala/ tamil) = Please
Ayubowan / Vanakkam (sinhala/ tamil) = Hello
Eating out/ shopping lingo.
Ingirisi dannevada? /Nī āṅkilam pēcukiṟāyā (sinhala / tamil ) = Do you speak English?
Hari rasai / Ruciyana (sinhala/ tamil) = Delicious
(Meeka) kiyadha? / Yenna vilai? (sinhala / tamil) How much is this?
Mila aḍu karanna /Vilaiyai kuṟaikka (sinhala / tamil) = Reduce the price
Maṭa bila labā gata hækida? / Nāṉ pil vaittirukkalāmā? (sinhala/ tamil) = Can I have the bill?Get your flirt on!
Ma∙mȧ o∙yaa∙tȧ aa∙dhȧ∙réyi (sinhala) = I love you
Ma∙mȧ o∙yaa gæ∙nȧ hi∙thȧ∙nȧ∙va (sinhala)= I’m thinking of you
Ma∙tȧ o∙yaa∙vȧ ‘miss’ vé∙nȧ∙va (sinhala) = I miss you
Ma∙mȧ o∙yaa∙tȧ kæ∙mȧ∙thi (sinhala) = I like you
Ba∙baa (sinhala) = Baby
Transport from Sri Lanka (BIA)Airport.
There are 2 ways to get from BIA Airport to city center - by taxi and private transfer
Taxi.
At the exit of the main terminal various taxi companies are available to choose from. These taxis will vary in fare depending on the location and vehicle size.
Private Transfer.
If you have alredy planned for your hotel or someone you know to come you up from the airport, you can meet them as you exit the terminal at the parking bay.
Best time to travel.
Being a tropical country Sri Lanka is wonderful al year round however the best times are within December to April and May to October to the east coast.
Forecast your trip.
This is Sri Lanka all year round.
Are you ready to plan?
Sri Lanka related.
The picturesque railways of Sri Lanka
By Leah Manickam
Growing up in this Island nation known as Sri Lanka we gladly boast about the how fast getting around the island is. Stretching only 139 miles you’re a hop and skip away from the other side. However one of the best things about living in the Pearl of the Indian Ocean is just how quickly the landscape changes and how that diversity is our biggest advantage. Although as much as I love everything about this island there is one aspect about it that beats everything else and that is Sri Lanka’s railways.