242 destinations shown · Natural Earth boundaries · small states appear as dots. Boundaries are illustrative and do not imply a position on any territorial dispute.

Visa requirements for Sri Lanka

Who can enter Sri Lanka, by nationality. Tourism. Data as of October 14, 2026.

Passport holders from 242 countries can enter Sri Lanka without a visa in advance. 0 have full visa-free access; 242 more can get a visa on arrival or use an electronic travel authorisation.

0 visa-free
0 on arrival
242 eTA
0 e-visa
0 visa required

Electronic travel authorisation

242 nationalities

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has 9 sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Anuradhapura
Atamasthana
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
Dambulla cave temple
Kandy
Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
Polonnaruwa
Sigiriya
Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Source: Wikidata, community-maintained and not the official UNESCO count.

Nearby destinations

Maldives Bangladesh Nepal Thailand Myanmar India

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to visit Sri Lanka?

It depends on your passport. 242 nationalities can enter Sri Lanka without arranging a visa in advance (visa-free, on arrival, or eTA); everyone else needs a visa or e-visa. Use the tables below to check a specific passport.

What is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?

January, February, March, April, August, October, December, based on Colombo's climate normals: mild temperatures and below-average rainfall for the year.

What currency is used in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lankan rupee (LKR). 1 USD is approximately 331.1 LKR.

What side of the road does Sri Lanka drive on?

Sri Lanka drives on the left.

How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites does Sri Lanka have?

9: Anuradhapura, Atamasthana, Central Highlands of Sri Lanka, Dambulla cave temple, Kandy, Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, and more.

What is the emergency number in Sri Lanka?

110 / 119.

What time zone is Sri Lanka in?

Colombo (UTC+5:30).

What is the nearest airport to Colombo?

Colombo Ratmalana International Airport (RML), about 12 km away.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It is located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, and is separated from India by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait. Sri Lanka shares a maritime border with the Maldives to the southwest and India to the northwest, and lies across the Bay of Bengal from Bangladesh and Myanmar to the northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India to the east. Its executive and judicial capital is Colombo, which is also its largest city and the political, financial and cultural centre of the country; neighboring Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital. Sri Lanka's population is 22 million. About 74% of the population are Sinhalese, who speak the Sinhala language, and about 15% are Tamils who speak the Tamil language. Other long-established ethnic groups include the Moors, Indian Tamils, Burghers, Malays, Chinese, and Vedda.

CapitalColombo

RegionSouthern Asia

Population21.8M

Area65,610 km²

CurrencySri Lankan rupee (1 USD ≈ 331.10 LKR)

LanguagesSinhala, Tamil

Calling code+94

Drives on theleft

TimezoneColombo (UTC+5:30)

Nearest airportColombo Ratmalana International Airport (RML), 12 km

Emergency number110 / 119

UNESCO sites9

Income levelUpper middle income

GDP per capita$5,002 (2025)

Tourist arrivals540K (2020)

Climate in Colombo

Warmest March, coolest December, driest January, sunniest March. Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, August, October, December.

Monthly climate normals for Colombo, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	30.6°C	23.2°C	20mm	351h
February	32.2°C	24.1°C	24mm	337h
March	31.6°C	24.7°C	49mm	357h
April	31.3°C	24.8°C	153mm	331h
May	29.9°C	25.9°C	287mm	254h
June	29.2°C	25.9°C	264mm	293h
July	28.7°C	25.2°C	252mm	250h
August	28.7°C	25.4°C	209mm	303h
September	27.9°C	24.7°C	388mm	209h
October	28.6°C	25°C	109mm	328h
November	29.2°C	23.8°C	374mm	250h
December	28.8°C	23.1°C	152mm	267h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is an island in the Indian Ocean, just south of India. It is known for its natural beauty, with stunning beaches all along its coastline, great wildlife and biodiversity, tea plantations, orchards, temples, monuments, and a cultural heritage dating back several millennia. Sri Lanka's cultural landscape includes the Sinhalese and the Tamil ethnic groups, with substantial Muslim and Christian communities.

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