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Sri Lanka
essentials.

The stuff you need in the first hour off the plane in Sri Lanka — plugs, emergency numbers, tipping, tap water and more, on one page.

Power plugType D, G, M230V/50Hz
Emergency119Police 119 · Ambulance 1990
Tap waterunsafestraight from the tap
Drivingleft-handside of the road
TimezoneUTC+5:30 (SLST)Sinhala
TippingTipping around 10% is common in restaurants (where a service charge may already be added), and small tips for hotel and taxi staff are appreciated.
Say it in Sinhala
Helloආයුබෝවන්
Thank youස්තූතියි
How much?කීයද?
Moving to Sri Lanka? Full guide → Get an eSIM before you land → All 11 survival phrases → Etiquette: fit in fast → Can I drive here? →
Local holidays → How hard is the language? → Work-hours overlap →

Sri Lanka — FAQ

What power plug and voltage does Sri Lanka use?

Sri Lanka uses Type D, G, M plugs at 230V/50Hz. Bring a universal adapter, and check your devices support the voltage.

Is tap water safe to drink in Sri Lanka?

Tap water in Sri Lanka is generally not safe to drink — stick to bottled or filtered water.

What is the emergency number in Sri Lanka?

Dial 119 for general emergencies in Sri Lanka. Police is 119 and ambulance is 1990.

Do you tip in Sri Lanka?

Tipping around 10% is common in restaurants (where a service charge may already be added), and small tips for hotel and taxi staff are appreciated.

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