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Sri Lanka: yolculuktan önce bilinmesi gerekenler

En önemlisi

  • Everyone needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travel—apply only at eta.gov.lk. It's free for 40 nationalities (incl. Russia, UK, US, India, China and many EU states) until about May 2027; others pay USD 50.
  • Buddha images are sacred: tattoos of the Buddha can lead to deportation; never pose with your back to a statue or touch it.
  • Two monsoons hit different coasts: the south-west is best Dec–Apr, the east coast May–Sep.
  • E-cigarettes/vapes cannot be imported or sold.
  • Drug possession is punished severely, including for small amounts.

Giriş ve vizeler

All tourists need an ETA (30-day stay, double entry) obtained online before arrival. Under a scheme approved on 7 May 2026 the ETA is free for 40 countries for one year; everyone else pays the standard fee (USD 50 for most). Extensions are possible at the Department of Immigration in Colombo. An online arrival card is available but optional.

Çevrim içi giriş formları ve izinler

Pasaport geçerliliği: At least 6 months from arrival.

Sınırda sorulabilecekler

  • Show the ETA approval (printed or on phone) and a return/onward ticket.
  • Officers may ask for proof of funds and accommodation.

Gümrük

  • Duty-free alcohol: 2 bottles of wine and 1.5 litres of spirits per adult.
  • E-cigarettes and vapes are prohibited imports.
  • Antiques (over 50 years old) need a licence to export.
  • Drones must be declared and need prior authorisation.

Kontrol: 29 Ekim 2026 · Kaynaklar: eta.gov.lk ↗, oravisa.com ↗, discover.passportindex.org ↗, srilanka-botschaft.de ↗, immigration.gov.lk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Para

Hem nakit hem kart yaygındır. Kartlar daha çok şehirlerde ve turistik yerlerde geçer.

Ödeme ağları: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay

Apple Pay — veri yok · Google Pay — veri yok

Nerede döviz bozdurmalı

  • Bank counters in the Colombo airport arrival hall give normal bank rates
  • Banks (Commercial Bank, Sampath, HNB, Bank of Ceylon) and licensed money changers in Colombo

Nerede bozdurmamalı

  • Hotels
  • Unlicensed street changers

ATM’ler: Bank ATMs (Commercial Bank, Sampath, HNB, BOC) are common in towns; a local fee may apply in addition to your bank's. Carry cash for rural areas.

Bahşiş: Many hotels/restaurants add a 10% service charge; otherwise 10% is appreciated. Tip drivers and guides (customary on multi-day tours).

  • Cards widely accepted in hotels and larger restaurants; tuk-tuks, small shops and temples are cash only.
  • Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard cards do not work abroad; bring USD/EUR cash or a card issued elsewhere.
  • Keep exchange receipts to reconvert rupees when leaving.

Kontrol: 29 Ekim 2026 · Kaynaklar: cbsl.gov.lk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Kurallar ve yasaklar

Yasak

  • Disrespecting Buddhism: Buddha tattoos, posing with back to statues, touching or climbing on statues can lead to arrest or deportation.
  • E-cigarettes and vapes: import and sale banned.
  • Drugs: harsh penalties, including for cannabis.
  • Drones: need Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Defence permission.
  • Photography of military sites, police and some government buildings is prohibited.
  • Taking photos inside some temple shrines (e.g. Temple of the Tooth inner chamber) is restricted.

Turistlerin bilmeden çiğnediği yasalar

  • Alcohol isn't sold on Poya (full moon) days; bars and liquor shops close.
  • Topless and nude bathing are illegal.
  • Same-sex sexual acts remain criminalised (rarely enforced).
  • Carry your passport or a copy.

Kontrol: 29 Ekim 2026 · Kaynaklar: gov.uk ↗, srilanka.travel ↗, gov.uk ↗

Kültür ve kıyafet

Din: Buddhism about 70%, Hinduism about 13%, Islam about 10%, Christianity about 7%.

Kıyafet: Temples: shoulders and knees covered, white or light clothing preferred; remove shoes and hats (bring socks for hot stone floors). Modest clothing away from beaches.

Görgü kuralları

  • Never turn your back to a Buddha statue for photos.
  • Use the right hand for giving, receiving and eating.
  • Ask before photographing monks and people.
  • Head wobble can mean yes or 'I understand'.
  • Public displays of affection are frowned upon.

Kontrol: 29 Ekim 2026 · Kaynaklar: gov.uk ↗, srilanka.travel ↗

İklim

Tropical, 27–31°C on the coasts, cooler in the hill country (Nuwara Eliya ~16°C). South-west monsoon May–Sep soaks the west and south coasts; north-east monsoon Nov/Dec–Feb hits the east and north. Inter-monsoon storms in Oct–Nov.

Aylara göre
  • Ocak: West/south coasts dry; east wet
  • Şubat: Dry west/south; good hill country
  • Mart: Dry west/south; Adam's Peak season
  • Nisan: Hot; Sinhala/Tamil New Year
  • Mayıs: SW monsoon starts on west coast
  • Haziran: West/south wet; east coast good
  • Temmuz: East coast and Arugam Bay at best
  • Ağustos: East good; Kandy Esala Perahera
  • Eylül: East good; west still wet
  • Ekim: Inter-monsoon rains island-wide
  • Kasım: Rainy island-wide
  • Aralık: West/south dry; east wet

En iyi mevsim: December–April for the west, south and hill country; May–September for the east coast.

Kontrol: 29 Ekim 2026 · Kaynaklar: meteo.gov.lk ↗, en.wikipedia.org ↗

Yanınıza alın

  • Plug adapter (types D, G, M; 230V)
  • Light clothing covering shoulders and knees, white for temples
  • Socks for hot temple floors
  • Warm layer for the hill country and Adam's Peak
  • Insect repellent (dengue)
  • Sunscreen and hat
  • Rain jacket for monsoon season
  • Leech socks for rainforest treks (Sinharaja)

Almayın / ülkeye sokmak yasak

  • Clothing or items showing the Buddha
  • Visible Buddha tattoos—cover them
  • Vapes and e-cigarettes
  • Drones without permits

Pratik bilgiler

Prizler: Types D, G, M; 230V 50Hz

Su: Don't drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water.

Trafik: soldan akar

Mobil ve eSIM: Dialog, Mobitel and Airtel/Hutch tourist SIMs at Colombo airport (passport needed); eSIMs available.

Uygulamalar: PickMe, Uber, WhatsApp, Google Maps

Sağlık: Dengue is common; use repellent. Consider hepatitis A, typhoid and rabies vaccines. Sri Lanka is certified malaria-free. Yellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk country.

Sigorta: Not required for the ETA; strongly recommended.

Acil durum: Police 119; Ambulance 1990 (Suwa Seriya); Fire 110; Tourist hotline 1912

Kontrol: 29 Ekim 2026 · Kaynaklar: gov.uk ↗, wwwnc.cdc.gov ↗

Giriş kuralları değişir. Yolculuktan önce ülkenin büyükelçiliği veya göç idaresinin sitesine bakın.