Travel Insurance for Sri Lanka from India
Sri Lanka is one of the most visited island countries in the world. The scenic beauty and varied wildlife are
Read more
Travel Insurance Plans
- Individuals
- Sr. Citizens
- Students
Plans for an individual of 30 years age travelling to USA for 15 days
In this way, a travel insurance Sri Lanka plan offers comprehensive coverage against various non-medical and medical emergencies. Most of the travel insurance policies are easily available online and they often need no medical examinations for the travelers who are up to the age of 85 years.
Whether you are traveling for leisure or business, it is suggested to purchase a travel insurance plan for Sri Lanka because it offers protection against unpredictable expenses during travel and other travel-related emergencies while you are traveling to a foreign land.
Sri Lanka Travel Insurance Overview
Purchasing a travel insurance Sri Lanka policy gives the following benefits:
- Cover against illness, medical expenses, personal accidents, and passport loss.
- Compensation for delayed or lost baggage.
- Trip delay coverage.
- No requirement of medical tests until 80 to 85 years for getting the policy.
- Most of the policies provide coverage for up to 182 days, which is extendable to 183 days.
- Offers cashless medical treatment at the hospital.
Explore Types of Travel Insurance
Fast Facts to Sri Lanka
Official Name
|
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
|
Number of States
|
9
|
Capital
|
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
|
Largest City
|
Colombo
|
Official Language
|
Sinhala, Tamil
|
Currency
|
Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
|
Time Zone
|
UTC+5:30 (SLST)
|
Largest Hospital
|
National Hospital of Sri Lanka
|
Most Visited City
|
Colombo
|
Entry Essentials to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is becoming a big tourist destination, especially for Indian travelers. In the past few years, approximately four lacs travelers go to Sri Lanka every year and the number is growing steadily.
- Visa Requirements: Visa requirements and currency exchange rates change from time to time. It is suggested to get the updates regarding the same from the Sri Lankan embassy before traveling. The Indian passport holders visiting Sri Lanka for holidays and business purposes, medical treatment like Yoga, Ayurvedic treatment, etc. should get Sri Lanka ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) approval before his/her planned visit to Sri Lanka. Once the ETA visa for Sri Lanka is obtained, then the visa holders should fulfill the following requirements at the entry point in Sri Lanka:
- A valid passport having expiry at least after six months.
- Proof of sufficient funds for covering up the expenses of the visitor during his/her stay in Sri Lanka.
- A round trip ticket for showing at the entry point in Sri Lanka, only if one is traveling by air. Â
- Currency Conversion:The currency conversion rate is as follows:
- 1 = 2.56 LKR
- 1 LKR = Rs. 0. 389
- Mentioned below is the list of types of Visas that a traveler can apply for traveling to Sri Lanka:
- ETA visa (Sri Lanks tourist visa) with double entry for approximately 30 days.
- ETA visa (transit) with a single entry for a maximum of seven days.
- ETA visa (business) with multiple entries for 30 days.
- ETA visa (transit) with a single entry for a maximum of two days.
- Visa Procedure: The simple procedure to apply visa of Sri Lanka is to apply through an online application with ETA visa application form:
- The process generally takes two business days after which the applicant is notified whether his/her application was rejected or accepted. All the accepted applications are entitled to get an entry in Sri Lanka at least three months of the issue date.
Note: The nationals of the below countries who are visiting Sri Lanka for a short period of 30 days are exempted from needing a Sri Lankan ETA visa:
- The Republic of Maldives
- The Republic of Singapore
- Mentioned below is the list of locations of Sri Lankan High Commission in India:
Consulate/ Embassy
|
Address
|
Phone Number
|
Email
|
Sri Lanka High Commission, New Delhi
|
27, Kautilya Marg, Chankya Puri, New Delhi – 110021
|
Tel: +91-011-23010201 – 3
Â
Fax: +91-011-23793604
|
slhc.newdelhi[@]mfa[.]gov.lk
|
Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
|
Deputy High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
56, Sterling Road, Nungambakkam
Chennai, 600034, India
|
0091 44 28241896
0091 44 28252612
0091 44 28241047
Â
Fax: 0091 44 28241894/ 28254242
|
sldehico[@]md3[.]vsnl[.]net.in
|
Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai
|
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
34, Homi Mdi Street, Mumbai – 400 001, India
|
0091 22 22045861/ 22048303
Â
Fax: 0091 22 22876132
|
slcon[@]mtnl[.]net[.]inÂ
|
- Travel Insurance: Even though it is not mandatory to purchase a travel insurance policy when traveling to Sri Lanka, but it makes sense to purchase one as it helps to take care of various unforeseen expenses and other travel-related emergencies. The travel insurance options that most of the insurance companies provide are:
- Family/ Individual Travel Insurance: The inclusions under this plan are:
- If a person travels alone or with family only once in a year, then selecting a single trip individual insurance is recommended. However, if a person is traveling more than once in one year alone or with family, then choosing an annual multi-trip policy is recommended.
- Death, total or permanent total or partial disability because of the accident is covered.
- Most of the plans under this category provide coverage for medical expenditure against evacuation for medical emergencies.
- Actual expenses reimbursement paid by the policyholder against passport loss, loss of documents or tickets, and travelers' check loss are covered.
- Loss because of fire or burglary at home back in India when one is traveling to some foreign destination is also covered.
- Compensation is provided for the delay or loss of checked-in baggage, trip cancellation and delay is covered.
- Student Travel Insurance: If a student is traveling to Sri Lanka for higher studies, then some insurance providers offer student travel insurance plan. Under this plan the following points are covered:
- Most of the travel insurance plans provide coverage for 16 years to 40 years.
- Covers emergency medical treatment.
- Passport loss, loss of traveler’s ticket, documents or ticket loss, and delay/loss of checked-in baggage are covered.
- Sponsorship loss, interruption in the study, legal expenses, and compassionate visits are all covered.
- Overseas Travel Medical Insurance: The above mentioned both types of travel insurance Sri Lankaplans to provide coverage for travel medical insurance, however, the basic medical coverage a policy provides to its travelers of Sri Lanka is mentioned here. A travel insurance plan for Sri Lanka from India is cheaper than a travel insurance policy for America and European countries. One should opt for a travel medical insurance while visiting Sri Lanka by excluding ‘Americas’ or ‘Asia’ plans. An example of 15 days travel medical insurance for Indian travelers traveling to Sri Lanka is given below:
Sum Insured in USD
|
Age of Insured is 65 Years
|
Age of Insured is 30 Years
|
Asia - $30, 000
|
Rs.1, 264
|
Rs.693
|
Excluding - $100, 000
|
Rs.1, 946
|
Rs. 988
|
Excluding - $50, 000
|
Rs.1, 492
|
Rs.763
|
The premiums are across various benefits and various plans. One should compare and then purchase a suitable plan for Sri Lanka travel.
Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka
The best time to visit Sri Lanka is December to March.
Sri Lanka Transportation
The country has an extensive network of roads for inland transportation. There are high-mobility and access-controlled roads with a permitted limit of speed. The highways of Sri Lanka are connected to most of the local communities and by-pass congested and busy towns. The rail network of Sri Lanka has main lines, up-country lines, and coastal lines. Additionally, water and air-based transportation increase the transportation of the country.
List of International Air Ports of Sri Lanka
Location
|
Airport
|
Batticaloa
|
Batticaloa International Airport
|
Colombo
|
Ratmalana International Airport
|
Colombo
|
Bandaranaike International Airport
|
Jaffna
|
Jaffna International Airport
|
Hambantota
|
Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport
|
Top Tourist Spots in Sri Lanka
Top tourist spots of Sri Lanka are:
- Yala National Park
- Dambulla Cave Temple
- Galle
- Nuwara Eliya
- Temple of Tooth at Kandy
- Arugam Bay
- Muthurajawela Bird Sanctuary
- War Cemetery
- Sigiriya
- Jaffna
Shopping Attractions in Sri Lanka
Shopping is one of the things that a traveler should not miss out on. Therefore, we are here listing some of the best shopping places in Sri Lanka:
- Mlesna Tea Center, Colombo
- Orchid House, Galle
- Olanda Furniture, Galle
- Barefoot, Colombo
- Exotic Roots, Galle
- Arcade Independence Square, Colombo
- Laksala, Colombo
- Rangala House Art Gallery, Kandy
- Jayamali Batik Studio, Kandy
- Ratnapura, Kandy, and Colombo
Eating Out In Sri Lanka
The cuisine of Sri Lanka is shaped by many cultural, historic, and some other factors. The food of Sri Lanka is influenced by Dutch, Indonesian, and Indian cuisines. One should try the below-mentioned delicacies of Sri Lankan food:
- Kiri Bath and Sambola: This dish is made by cooking rice with coconut milk and is served with Sambola of Onion. Onion Sambola is a hot mix of spices, hot onions, or bananas.
- Curry and Rice: It is an authentic Sri Lankan meal that contains rice with fish curry, poultry, or meat. Many other cuisines made with pulses and vegetables are also served.
- Kottu: Kottu is made of paratha bread of Sri Lanka that is shredded and stir-fried with various spices and choice of vegetarian or meaty ingredients.
- Sweetmeats: Kokis, Kavum, Asmi – made of rice flour.
- Pol Sambol: It is prepared with onions, grated coconut, lemon, red chili powder, Maldives fish, and salt. It is generally eaten with rice.
Top Hotels in Sri Lanka
 The list of top hotels of Sri Lanka is as follows:
- Camellia Hills, Dickoya
- Kandy House, Kandy
- Why House, Galle
- Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo, Colombo
- Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo
- Fairway, Colombo
- Marino Beach, Colombo
- Taj Samudra, Colombo
- Ramada by Wyndham, Colombo
- Best Western Elyon, Colombo
- Hilton Colombo Residency, Colombo
Things to Do in Sri Lanka
Top things to do in Sri Lanka are:
- Go for a Scenic Train Ride: Eastern train route that is from Kandy to Ella is one of the best attractions of Sri Lanka.
- Surf the Waves of Indian Ocean at Hikkaduwa: As one of the best surfing places in Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa is known for various water sports like Scuba Diving.
- Take a Hiking Trip to Adam’s Peak: The hiking lovers should go to this place for hiking.
- Spot Whales and Dolphins at Mirissa: A tour to dolphin and whale watching is eye candy.
- Drive across the East Coast of Sri Lanka: The East Coast of Sri Lanka is one of the best self-drive routes to explore.
Top Hospitals in Sri Lanka
The top hospitals in Sri Lanka are:
- Nawaloka Hospital Private Limited, Colombo
- Durdans Hospital, Colombo
Typical Medical Costs in Sri Lanka
Costs of Hospital
|
Cost/ Bed day by level of the hospital*
|
Â
|
International $ 2005
|
Local Currency Units
|
Primary
|
35.56
|
962.91
|
Tertiary
|
63.36
|
1715.84
|
Secondary
|
46.39
|
1256.21
|
Cost/ Outpatient visit by the level of hospital*
|
Â
|
International $ 2005
|
Local Currency Units
|
Primary
|
3.22
|
87.21
|
Tertiary
|
6.76
|
182.98
|
Secondary
|
4.57
|
123.70
|
Costs of Health Center
|
Cost/ visit at the health center by covered population for a visit of 20 minutes**
|
Â
|
International $ 2005
|
Local Currency Units
|
50%
|
7.34
|
198.81
|
95%
|
9.62
|
260.48
|
80%
|
7.61
|
206.20
|
*Public facility, the rate of occupancy excluding diagnostics and drugs
**Public facility at various population coverage excluding diagnostics and drugs.
Local Law and Etiquette in Sri Lanka
- Use Your Hands for Eating: Like other countries of the world, Sri Lanka does not use cutlery rather people eat from their fingertips of their right hands. However, those travelers who do not want to use hands can politely ask for spoons.
- Respect for Buddhist Culture: Never pat or touch a Buddhist monk’s head. One is not allowed to turn his/her back towards the statue of Buddha, in case of doubt, to see the local people's behavior. This means if one wants to pose a photo with Buddha statue then facing Buddha is recommended not the back.
- Etiquette for Public Photography: Depending upon the location of photography, some sites need a permit for the same. Some sites are accessible between six in the morning to 10 in the morning. Avoid taking photos of sensitive locations like Fort Colombo.
- Other Social Etiquettes:PDA (Public Display of Affection) like hugging or kissing in public is not considered good in Sri Lanka. However, it is acceptable at adult establishments and public functions. Public nudity is not accepted in Sri Lanka.
Money-Saving Tips for Sri Lanka Travelers
- Travel off Season: An off-season trip to Sri Lanka is awesome, especially when one is planning to have a pocket-friendly tour.
- Eat Street and Local Food: Eating at local street joints in Sri Lanka not only adds more flavors to your trip but also saves a lot of money.
- Research Well: When one has information about a certain place, he/she is sure about what to do, where to stay, and what to eat. So, researching before going to Sri Lanka can save a of money.
- Opt for a Budget Hotel: Generally, half of our travel budget is spent on our accommodation. However, if the budget is a constraint for you, then staying in a budget hotel can save a lot of money.
- Try to Avail Discounts and Offers: Most of the travel insurance companies provide discounts and other offers so try to avail that. Â
Embassy Information in Sri Lanka
Consulate/ Embassy
|
Address
|
Phone Number
|
High Commission of India, Colombo
|
36 – 38, Galle Road, Colombo 03
|
094-11-2421605
|
High Commission of India, Kandy
|
31, Rajapihilila Mawatha, P.O. Box No. 47, Kandy 20000 Central Province
|
812222652
|
High Commission of India, Jaffna
|
Consulate General of India, 14 Maruthady Lane, Nallur, Jaffna
|
00-94-21-2220504/ 505
|