The national airline is SriLankan Airlines (UL) (website: www.srilankan.lk).

None.

Colombo Bandaranaike (CMB) (Katunayake) is 29km (19 miles) north of the city. To/from the airport: Buses go to the city regularly (journey time - 1 hour). Taxis are available. There are trains to Maradana Station, located 1.6km (1 mile) from the city centre (journey time – 1 hour). Facilities: Duty-free shop, restaurant, bar, snack bar, bank, post office, tourist information and car hire.

Main ports: Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Kankasanthurai, Point Pedru and Trincomalee. For more information, contact the Sri Lanka Port Authority (tel: (1) 242 1201/31; website: www.slpa.lk).

The major domestic airport is Ratmalana at Colombo. There are daily flights to smaller airports at Batticaloa, Gal Oya, Palali and Trincomalee.

Trains connect Colombo with all tourist towns, but first-class carriages, air conditioning and dining cars are available on only a few. New fast services operate on the principal routes, including an intercity express service between Colombo and Kandy, otherwise journeys are fairly leisurely.

Note: Rail services to Jaffna have ceased owing to the violent political disruptions in the northern area.

Traffic drives on the left. Flashing lights mean that the driver is asserting right of way. Avoid remote areas and travelling at night.

Bus: An extensive network of services of reasonable quality is provided by the Sri Lanka Central Transport Board. Private bus drivers are paid according to the number of passengers and can often drive rather dangerously.

Taxi: These have yellow tops and red and white plates. In Colombo, taxis are metered but it is advisable to agree a rate before setting off. Drivers expect a 10% tip.

Car hire: This is available from several international agencies. Air-conditioned minibuses are also available. Motorised rickshaws are also readily available for hire in towns and villages. Chauffeur-driven cars are less expensive and recommended.

Regulations: Most roads are tarred, with a 56kph (35mph) speed limit in built-up areas and 75kph (45mph) outside towns. The minimum age for driving a car is 18.

Documentation: In order to avoid bureaucratic formalities in Sri Lanka, an International Driving Permit should be obtained before departure. If not, a temporary licence to drive is obtainable on presentation of a valid national driving licence. This must be endorsed at the AA office in Colombo.

The Central Transport Board provides intensive urban bus operations in Colombo, where there are also private buses and minibuses. Fares are generally collected by conductors. Services are often crowded.

The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Colombo to other major cities/towns in Sri Lanka.

	Air	Road	Rail
Matara	-	4.00	4.30
Badulla	-	9.30	9.00
Anuradhapura	0.45	5.30	6.00
Trincomalee	1.00	6.00	7.00