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

From Colombo to London is 12 hours, to Hong Kong is five hours 10 minutes, to the Seychelles is three hours 55 minutes and to Tokyo is nine hours.

Colombo Bandaranaike (CMB) (Katunayake) is 29km (19 miles) north of the city. To/from the airport: Buses go to the city regularly and take 45 to 60 minutes. Taxis are available. There are trains to Maradana Station, located 1.6km (1 mile) from the city centre (travel time – 60 minutes). Facilities: Duty free shop, restaurant, bar, snack bar, bank, post office, tourist information and car hire.

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Main ports: Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Kankasanthurai, Point Pedru and Trincomalee. For more information on Sri Lankan ports, contact the Sri Lanka Port Authority, No.19, Chaithya Road, P.O Box 595, Colombo 01; tel: (1) 242 1201 or 1231; 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. The airport at Jaffna is currently closed.

An embarkation tax of LKR1000 is payable at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Otherwise, none.

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 inter-city 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. Most roads are tarred, with a 56kph (35mph) speed limit in built-up areas and 75kph (45mph) outside towns. Flashing lights mean that the driver is asserting right of way, unlike in the UK. 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 per cent 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. 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 minimum age for driving a car is 18.

Bus: 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.

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