Directory A–Z
F
OOD
Indian High Commission
(Map p64; %011-232 7587;
www .hcicolombo .org; 36-38
Galle Rd, Col 3)
India Visas (%011-255 9435;
www .ivsvisalanka .com) Indian
visas are issued by an inde-
pendent contractor with offices
in Colombo, Kandy and Jaffna.
Check the website for details and
to download forms in advance.
Maldivian High Commis-
sion (Map p68; %011-258
7827; www .maldiveshighcom .lk;
25 Melbourne Ave, Col 4)
Netherlands Embassy
(Map p64; %011-251 0200;
srilanka .nlambassade .org; 25
Torrington Ave, Col 7)
UK High Commission
(British High Commission; Map
p64; %011-539 0639; ukin
srilanka .fco .gov .uk; 389
Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Col 7)
US Embassy (Map p64;
%011-249 8500; srilanka.
usembassy .gov; 210 Galle
Rd, Col 3)Food
See Eat and Drink Like a
Local (p34) for information
about Sri Lankan food.Gay & Lesbian
Travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is
illegal in Sri Lanka and the
subject is rarely discussed
publicly. No one has been
convicted for more than 60
years, but it pays to be dis-
creet. There is no legislation
to protect LGBT people from
harassment.
The situation is changing,
and Colombo has a low-key
scene. You can be more open
in cosmopolitan areas such
as Col 1, Col 3 and Col 7.
Equal Ground (%011-567
9766; www .equal-ground .org), a
Colombo-based organisation
supporting gay and lesbi-
an rights, sponsors pride
events, offers counselling
services and has useful on-
line resources.Health
While the potential dangers
of Sri Lankan travel may
seem worrisome, most trav-
ellers experience nothing
more serious than an upset
stomach. Travellers tend
to worry about contracting
infectious diseases, but in-
fections rarely cause serious
illness or death in travellers.
Note that hygiene standardsare casual at best and down-
right bad at worst in many
kitchens throughout the
country.Availability & Cost of
Health Care
Medical care is hugely vari-
able in Sri Lanka. Colombo
has some good clinics aimed
at expats; they’re worth
using over options aimed at
locals because a superior
standard of care is offered.
Embassies and consulates
often have lists of recom-
mended medical providers.
Self-treatment may be
appropriate if your problem
is minor (eg traveller’s diar-
rhoea). If you think you may
have a serious disease, espe-
cially malaria, do not waste
time: travel to the nearest
quality facility to receive at-
tention. It is always better to
be assessed by a doctor than
to rely on self-treatment.
Before buying medication
over the counter, always
check the use-by date and
ensure the packet is sealed.
Colombo and larger towns
all have good pharmacies;
most medications can
be purchased without a
prescription.Health Insurance
Even if you’re fit and healthy,
don’t travel without health
insurance: accidents do
happen. A travel or health
insurance policy is essential.
You may require extra cover
for adventure activities,
such as scuba diving. If your
normal health insurance
doesn’t cover you for medical
expenses abroad, get extra
insurance. If you’re unin-
sured, emergency evacuation
is expensive, and bills of
more than US$100,000 are
not uncommon.Vaccinations
Specialised travel-medicine
clinics stock all available
vaccines and can give spe-
cific recommendations for
your trip. The doctors will
consider factors including
your vaccination history,GOVERNMENT TRAVEL ADVICE
Government advisories are often general and guaran-
teed to allow for bureaucratic cover should trouble oc-
cur. However, the following sites also have useful tips:
̈ Australia^ (www^ .smartraveller .gov .au)^
̈ Canada^ (travel^ .gc .ca)^
̈ New Zealand^ (www^ .safetravel .govt .nz)^
̈ UK (www .gov .uk/foreign-travel-advice)
̈ US (w w w .travel .state .gov)EATING PRICE
RANGES
The following price
ranges refer to a stand-
ard main course.
$ less than Rs 450
$$ Rs 450 to 1200
$$$ more than Rs 1200