The official language is Sinhala (Sinhala) (74%) and the national language is Tamil (18%). English is the language of commerce and education (10%). Malay is also spoken.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
01/14/2022 Thai Pongal (Tamil Thanksgiving)
01/17/2022 Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
02/04/2022 National holiday
02/16/2022 Navam Full Moon Poya Day
03/01/2022 Mahashivratri
03/17/2022 Medin full moon poya day
04/15/2022 Good Friday
05/01/2022 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
05/01/2022 Labor Day
05/15/2022 Vesakh
06/14/2022 Poson Full Moon Poya Day
07/10/2022 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
07/13/2022 Esala Full Moon Poya Day
08/11/2022 Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
09/10/2022 Binara full moon poya day
10/09/2022 Milad un Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad)
(a) In addition to the specified holidays, the Poya Festival is celebrated every full moon day. Religious holidays are determined with the help of astrological calculations, so that often only the approximate date can be given.
(b) The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into Sri Lanka (persons over 18 years of age): 2 bottles of wine and 1.5 l of spirits; perfume for personal use and 250 ml eau de toilette; Other goods/gifts up to a value of US$250. Precious metals such as gold, platinum and silver as well as jewelery must be declared upon entry. In principle, valuable items should be declared upon entry in order to guarantee problem-free re-export. Attention: Cigarettes and other tobacco products have to be declared. The import of foreign tobacco products is prohibited. As a rule, only two family members are permitted to import luxury goods.
Prohibited Imports
There is an import ban for media of all kinds that violate religious teachings; dangerous Chinese firecrackers; Beedi tobacco and cigarettes only with import license; counterfeit money; toy guns that could easily be converted into working weapons; obscene media, lottery tickets, Japanese shaving brushes; spoiled fish and grain; edible meat of warm-blooded animals; certain types of condensed milk; sword sticks; weapons and ammunition; Drugs and foreign tobacco products. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the Democratic SocialistRepublic of Sri Lanka
Embassy of the Democratic SocialistRepublic of Sri Lanka
(Also responsible for Switzerland.)
Consulate General in Frankfurt/M. and Honorary Consulate General in Hamburg. Honorary consulates in Bodenheim, Bremen, Kaarst, Langenhagen, Leipzig, Munich, Radolfzell and Stuttgart.
Consulate General of the Democratic SocialistRepublic of Sri Lanka
Consulate in Glattbrugg.
56, Rue de Moillebeau
Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 919 12 50/51.
http://www.lankamission.org
http://www.lankamission.org
Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00.
Business
Business etiquette
English is commonly spoken in business circles; formal attire is not expected. Prior appointments and business cards are customary and punctuality is considered courtesy. Business Hours: Mon-Fri 8am/9am-4pm/5pm.
Business contacts
Commerce Department of the Embassy of Sri Lanka Niklasstraße 19, D-14163 Berlin Tel: (030) 80 90 97 43. Commerce Department of the Consulate of Sri Lanka 56 Rue de Moillebeau, CH-1209 Geneva Tel: (022) 919 12 59 )50 Navam Mawatha, Colombo 2 Tel: (01) 242 17 45. Internet: www.chamber.lk
Communication
Phone
International direct dialing in major cities. According to Abbreviationfinder.org, telephone cards are available in post offices and in the shops near the public telephones.
Mobile phone
GSM 900. Mobile phone companies include Celltel Lanka (website: www.celltel.lk), Lanka Bell (website: www.lankabell.net) and MTN Networks (website: www.dialog.lk).
Internet
There are internet cafes in the larger cities. In Sri Lanka, the Internet is subject to heavy censorship by the government, and many important Internet sites are blocked by the state.
Post office
Airmail to Europe takes 10-14 days to arrive. There are post offices in every town and village, and private courier services in most major towns. For further information, please contact the Main Post Office, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 10, Tel: 32 62 03, opposite the Presidential Palace. Always send postcards from the post office counter and make sure that the stamp is canceled. Hotels also provide information on postage. Poste restante is possible. The main post office is open day and night for the sale of stamps and for local calls.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
