Message from Amil Saheb of Colombo

With the karam and ehsaan of our Aqa Moula (TUS) who has bestowed the Sharaf of Ashara Mubaraka 1428H in Colombo, I hereby invite all Mumineen to Colombo to obtain barakath.

-Sh Zoebbhai Galiyakotwala, Amil-Colombo.

"WELCOME TO SRI LANKA"

Basic Requirements for entry

1. A valid Passport
2. Sufficient funds for maintenance
3. An outward or Return Ticket of Foreign Exchange to purchase an outward ticket.

Visas

Nationals of all countries coming to Sri Lanka will be given visas on arrival.

What to Declare

1. All currencies including travelers cheques, drafts, letters of credit and bills of exchange, etc.
2. Precious Metal i.e. Platinum, Gold and Silver.
3. Precious stones and valuable jewelry (in order to facilitate outward clearance).
4. Flora and fauna (Sri Lanka is a signatory to the CITES (Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species).
5. Any goods in commercial quantities.

Exchange Information

1 USD = Approx 110 LK Rupees
1 GBP = Approx 210 LK Rupees
1 INR = Approx 2.6 LK Rupees

"ABOUT SRI LANKA"

The Fact File

Click here for an interactive map of Colombo!

The weather is tropical - bright and hot for most part. Rains come in two main monsoons that originate in the Indian Ocean. The country has specific climatic zones determined by ranges of high mountains that run in north-south direction in the center of the island. The larger geographical area, fed by the north-east monsoon stays hot and dry for long months of the year, while the west and parts of the south of Sri Lanka has a primarily wet and humid climate.

From sea level to 7000-foot high national parks, the country boasts of myriad geographical and climatic zones. From the coconut palm fringed beaches of the west coast to lush rainforests of Ratnapura (2 hours from Colombo) to the stunning mountain scenery of Haputale (5 hours from Colombo) to the arid, scrub jungles of Yala (7 hours from Colombo) - a traveller in the country will never bore of the constantly changing patterns of the countryside. It is easy to imagine, when travelling across Sri Lanka, why Marco Polo called it the finest island of its size in the world.

The country is five and half hours ahead of GMT. (+05.30 GMT)

Holidays

In addition to Saturday and Sunday, the full moon day (Poya Day) of each month is a holiday in Sri Lanka. On Poya Days all places of entertainment are closed.

Find out more about Sri Lanka