Security level:

The situation in the country is relatively calm. As in many other places around the world, crowded places should be avoided. The level of crime in relation to tourists is low, but there are recorded cases of pickpocketing and robbery, as well as individual cases of kidnapping of foreigners. Credit card fraud is possible.

Healthcare:

A yellow fever vaccination document is required for persons arriving from countries where this disease is prevalent.
Malaria is a controlled disease throughout the country. However, it is advisable to spend the night in air-conditioned or well-insulated rooms, as well as the use of mosquito nets.
Another disease for which data is available in 2024, especially during rainy seasons, is dengue fever. Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks usually occurring every 2-5 years. Travelers to Sri Lanka and other risk areas should protect themselves from mosquito bites.
There are also cases of leptospirosis, measles and bird flu in the country.
It is recommended to take out medical insurance with higher coverage.
Please check for up-to-date travel health advice on the following pages on the Internet:

 https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/204/sri-lanka#General_Information

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/sri-lanka?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-leftnav-traveler

During your stay in Sri Lanka, only factory-bottled water or boiled water, as well as ice from such water, should be consumed. As practiced in other places, fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed and dried before consumption. Unhygienic restaurants and food kiosks on the street should be avoided.

Customs requirements:

Customs requirements for Sri Lanka can be downloaded from HERE.

Road traffic:

The movement of cars is carried out in the left lane. The peak traffic hours are 06.30 – 09.00, 13.00 – 14.30 and from 16.30 to 18.30.

Practical advice:

It is necessary to always carry a photo ID and comply with the orders of the security forces and the police.
It is recommended not to photograph military, government, or VIP buildings and vehicles, as this may result in arrest. Photos of religious places of worship should be of appropriate posture and attire without mocking these places.
The possession, use and distribution of narcotic substances are subject to severe sanctions. Clothing should be consistent with local customs and religious characteristics.
Temples are visited only with their legs and shoulders covered, and images of deities are allowed in appropriate attire and better with prior approval; Shoes are taken off upon entry.
Local medicines should be avoided when participating in traditional medicine courses – Ayurveda or yoga.

Local currency:

Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR))
Exchange rate (August 2024): €1 = 327 LKR

Climatic characteristics:

Due to the moderate impact of ocean winds, the climate in Sri Lanka is tropical and warm. Average temperatures range from 17 °C in the central mountains, where frosts are also possible for several days in winter, to 33 °C in the lowlands. Average annual temperatures range from 28 °C to 31 °C. Daytime temperatures can range from 14 to 18 °C.
The rains are affected by monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.
Average annual rainfall ranges from less than 1000 mm in a small region in the arid parts of the northwest and southeast of the island to over 5000 mm in several places in Kegalle and the Nuwara Eliya district (on the southwestern slopes of the central hills).
Sudden storms are possible.

Bulgarian citizens need a visa to visit Sri Lanka.

Bulgarian citizens can apply for an e-Visa online. The Sri Lanka e-Visa is for travelers who wish to visit Sri Lanka for various purposes, including tourism, transit, and business. The e-Visa is issued through an online application system.

The Sri Lanka e-Visa can be obtained by filling out an online application form. Applicants must provide their personal details, travel information, and passport details.

For a tourist visa to Sri Lanka, you can apply at the following link: https://eta.gov.lk/

Visa payments are in accordance with the ETA system.

The Tourist eVisa includes activities such as:

- Medical treatment, including Ayurvedic (herbal);

- M.I.C.E tourism (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions/events);

- participation in art, music and dance events;

- pilgrimage trips;

- participation in sports events;

- wedding celebrations;

- sightseeing or rest;

- visiting friends and relatives.

The Business eVisa allows the holder to participate in activities such as:

for business - meetings and negotiations;

for short-term training programmes;

participation in religious activities.

Duration of Permitted Stay and Validity of the Sri Lanka e-Visa

The Sri Lanka e-Visa is valid for 6 months from the date of approval. Travelers can apply for an eVisa online at any time. If the departure date is later than six months, the approved e-Visa will be sent before the trip, taking into account the date of arrival.

Tourist e-Visa: allows visitors to stay in Sri Lanka for a maximum of sixty (60) days.

Business eVisa: provides visitors with a maximum stay of sixty (60) days in Sri Lanka.

Transit e-Visa: allows visitors to stay in Sri Lanka for a maximum of two (2) days.

Passport Requirements for Sri Lanka eVisa Application:

Applicants must have a valid passport, which must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of arrival. eVisa holders receive a 60-day stay at a port of entry in Sri Lanka.

eVisa for children

Children over the age of 16 or those who already have an individual passport must apply separately for an eVisa. Children under the age of 16 who are included in the parent's passport can travel to Sri Lanka without the need for an individual e-visa. if they meet the following requirements:

- The child must be entered in the passport of the parent/guardian.

- The child's details must be included in the parent/guardian's e-visa.

Failure to obtain a permit will result in a refusal to enter Sri Lanka.

Requirements for visa application documents:

Applicants are required to provide personal information and travel details. When filling out the application, the traveler must use a passport with a minimum of six months validity from the planned date of arrival. The applicant's passport must belong to an eligible country.

Sri Lanka Entry Requirements

When entering Sri Lanka, eligible foreign nationals must present the following:

Printout of the approved Sri Lanka e-Visa

A valid passport, the same one used for the online application form

Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, all eVisa holders will need to have:

Return ticket (only when traveling by plane)

Evidence of sufficient funds to cover the costs of staying in Sri Lanka

Citizens of the following countries must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate at the port of entry in Sri Lanka to comply with international health regulations: Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Somalia, Suriname, São Tomé and Principe, Togo, Tanzania, United Republic of Uganda, Venezuela.

Once the applicant submits their online application, all eVisa notifications and updates will be sent via email.

The processing time for the Sri Lanka eVisa is within 1 day(s). In some cases, the process may take longer.

Sri Lanka eVisa Online Application

To apply online for a Sri Lanka eVisa, applicants must have a valid passport, email address, and a credit or debit card.

All the information provided in the eVisa application form, such as first and last name, place and date of birth, address, gender, passport number, and nationality, must be exactly as written on the applicant's passport.

For all other types of visas for Sri Lanka (for long-term visas, for official and business trips, for holders of diplomatic and service passports, etc.), Bulgarian citizens should contact the relevant embassy of the country.

What consular officers can do for you:
- Protection of the rights and interests of Bulgarian citizens, Bulgarian legal entities and persons of Bulgarian origin in India and in the other countries of accreditation – Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, in accordance with the Bulgarian legislation and international treaties in force for the Republic of Bulgaria, within the limits permitted by international law and customs, as well as the legislation of India and the other countries of accreditation;
- advising individuals and legal entities on issues in the field of consular activity or of significant public interest, or Bulgarian citizens in distress;
- advising Bulgarian individuals and legal entities on the representation of their interests in investigative and court cases, in case of restrictions imposed on entry into the territory of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, in the search for inheritances/heirs, etc. on the territory of the countries of accreditation;
- Receiving, processing and sending to the competent Bulgarian institutions applications for issuance of Bulgarian identity documents (passport, identity card and driving license);
- Acceptance and processing of declarations for invalidation of Bulgarian identity documents; acceptance of invalid Bulgarian identity documents with subsequent notification of the competent Bulgarian institutions;
- Acceptance and processing of applications for issuance of temporary passports of Bulgarian citizens with lost or stolen documents, and of certificates of return to Bulgaria of a foreigner; issuance of replacement travel documents after obtaining the relevant permit from the competent Bulgarian institutions;
- Drawing up Acts for established administrative violations under the Bulgarian Identity Documents Act;
- Preparation of certificates, official notes, etc. within the competence of the Embassy;
- Acceptance and processing of applications for establishing Bulgarian citizenship and personal identification number, for entering personal identification number in the National Population Database and for selection/change of permanent and current address in the Republic of Bulgaria;
- Receiving and processing applications for acceptance or restoration of Bulgarian citizenship or for exemption from Bulgarian citizenship;
- Reception and processing of civil status messages and civil marriage documents at the Embassy;
- Translation and certification of the signature of the translator of civil status documents and certification of the signature of the translator of other documents and papers in accordance with the prescribed competencies;
- notarization of signatures and copies / copies;
- Acceptance and processing of applications for Bulgarian visas;
- providing information on the terms and conditions for issuing visas;
- Acceptance of requests and assistance for rendering assistance to Bulgarian citizens and foreigners in distress on the territory of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka;
- protection of the interests of Bulgarian natural and legal persons in exceptional circumstances (natural disasters, terrorist attacks, etc.) and of the rights of Bulgarian citizens who are victims of trafficking for the purpose of sexual or other form of exploitation, etc.;
- providing information about Bulgarian citizens detained and/or serving prison sentences on the territory of the countries of accreditation;
- representing the interests of minors and persons with limited legal capacity, incapacitated persons within the framework of international customs and the legislation of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka;
- Search for Bulgarian citizens or persons of Bulgarian origin on the territory of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka at the request of Bulgarian natural or legal persons in the presence of a legitimate interest and within the framework of international customs and legislation of these countries;
- rendering assistance to the crews of sea and river vessels sailing under the flag of the Republic of Bulgaria and of aircraft registered in the Republic of Bulgaria, within the framework of international customs and legislation of the host countries; if necessary – acceptance of declarations for ship travel, preparation of ship documents and resolution of disputes between the master, command staff, seafarers and passengers, as far as this is provided for by the legislation of the Republic of Bulgaria;
- providing information about injured, detained, deceased or deceased Bulgarian citizens on the territory of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka;
- providing information about the procedures and necessary documents and providing assistance for repatriation to Bulgaria or for performing a funeral / official funeral in these countries in case of death of a Bulgarian citizen;
- in cases of arrest – a visit of the consular officer to the detained Bulgarian citizen; providing information and assistance to the relatives of the detained person to visit him in prison; efforts to ensure the same treatment of the detained Bulgarian citizen as towards the citizens of the host country;
- providing up-to-date information when traveling to and from the countries of accreditation;
- accepting requests for access to public information and providing information on issues related to Bulgarian identity documents (passport, identity card and driving license), the possibilities for restoring or acquiring Bulgarian citizenship, civil status, citizenship issues, apostilles, legalizations, translations of documents and certification of the signature of an interpreter, etc. notarial activities in accordance with the prescribed competencies;
- in exceptional cases of Bulgarian citizens in trouble and after their relatives deposit the necessary amount into the cash desk of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassy will pay the person the appropriate amount.

European Temporary Passport:
In case of emergency (lost passport), Bulgarian citizens can seek assistance on the spot from a diplomatic mission of each EU Member State for the issuance of a travel document.
Certifications and legalizations:
In order to be valid in Bulgaria and to be able to serve before the Bulgarian institutions, all documents issued by the authorities in Sri Lanka to Bulgarian citizens must have a stamp of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After that, they need to be certified by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in New Delhi, India. The signature and certifications of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in New Delhi are certified by the Consular Service at the Embassy of Bulgaria in the Indian capital.
Thus formed, the documents must be translated into Bulgarian by an authorized company in Bulgaria and certified by the Certification and Legalization Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.