Avoid in Sri Lanka : Things you should not to
Don’t
Avoid | Be mindful
Smile
As in any other country there are certain things that travelers do need to be mindful of and avoid in Sri Lanka. Cultural sensitivity goes a long way in avoiding unsavory situations and to make your trip a smooth one. We hope this list will help you navigate the new terrain better.
Eating Decorum ( your left hand)
We Sri Lankans usually eat with our hands, and the left hand is regarded as the dirty one. Although the left hand has some stigma, you can sympathize with those who are left dominant.We usually don’t try to overthink things with left dominant individuals as they might use either hand and in which case the other one is the dirty one. Nibbling on snacks and finger foods are also an exception. It’s mainly applied for a main meals and that is what we remember of our mothers drilling in to our brains.
Do not enter a Tuktuk without a meter (that works)
You should try never to get into a Tuktuk that doesn’t have a meter and if you are in an area where meters are scarce, agree upon a reasonable fee before hand. This is of paramount importance as they are notorious at quoting inflated prices and making a commotion ( We advice you to check the distance on google maps and roughly multiply the distance by 40-50LKR to get your total fee) New ride hailing apps have decreased the chances of being conned but it has also increased the resentment among non-meter Tuktuk drivers.
Do not drink water directly from a tap
Although Sri Lanka is better off when it comes to water quality, you should remember as a rule of thumb to never drink water straight from the tap. You will either have to boil the water first or use bottled drinking water. It is especially important to drink bottled water when you are traveling in the North Central Province (Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya) due to the prevalence of kidney disease associated to poor water quality. In villages situated outside the above area as I mentioned, you will get fresh water directly from the wells in the garden, which are usually considered to be good for direct consumption but if you can get the chance get it boiled in advance.
Don’t insult any religion
As you would have noticed Sri Lanka is a very religious country. This does not mean you have to be ultra careful. The country is sensitive but still very liberal and easy going. You can of course argue and discuss passionately about doctrines, have tea and explore the depths of philosophy. Free inquiry and stimulating debates are welcome and you would find a willing partner almost anywhere to have a discussion. A direct insult based on recent media stories may find resistance or plain dismissal as most are media hype. Using the image of Buddha anywhere from on slippers or any visible body tattoos of Buddha is a big NO NO. Although you may find it as a statement or personal expression of respect and devotion to tattoo the image , but tattoos are still mostly taboo or just frowned upon in Sri Lanka. Everyone is welcome!
Do not directly compare Sri Lanka with India
Sri Lanka has a very long historical relationship with India. Spanning more than 2500years, both countries have fought and made incursions onto each others territories through war, marriage and settlements. There is a sense of pride, love and animosity for things we share and differ about. It’s best to remember that Sri Lanka is not a creation of the colonial enterprise and that colonialism is all but a brief unsavory but illuminating chapter in our history spanning 2500 years.
Don’t wear headware and footware at religious sites
This is considered as an insult and culturally insensitive.
Wear modestly when visiting religious sites
Wearing modest clothing, covering your legs and chest are required at temples. Some places with high tourist traffic may provide white cloth to cover yourself. It is best to wear appropriately in advance and avoid any inconvenience.
Don’t be overly affectionate in public
Kissing and PDA in public is not considered very modest but you could steal a quick discrete moment or two. Unless your do something to attract some attention you should be fine. You may see locals under the protection of their ever reliable umbrellas. 😀
Don’t ask for rooms from street shops named “Hotels”
It is something tourists will find confusing. Common eateries are also called “…..hotels”. They only serve food and a quick first glance at the shop should make it pretty clear that there are no rooms.
Don’t leave your windows and doors open in the evening unless you love being bitten by mosquitos
Always remember to close your room windows and doors by 5pm. It is best to have some sort of mosquito spray at hand, like citronella. You can also use a liquid based mosquito repellent which comes as a plugin device to chase away the remaining few. Mosquito coils are also available but we recommend them to be used in a room with open and easy ventilation where the smoke can escape away. Mosquito coil smoke can cause exacerbation of asthma and are not to be used in AC rooms.
Do not walk or drive scantily clad
Except for popular tourist beach location, don’t travel around shirtless or in bikinis. Swimwear should be restricted to specific locations.
Don’t plan sudden trips in the night alone
Don’t be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Some caution should be exercised to avoid rowdy locals, late night walks alone.
Do not get into business with beach boys and unfamiliar locals
Make sure you do your due diligence and create a safety net and fall back position when exploring land and business with unfamiliar locals. Simply don’t put your life savings at jeopardy.
No recreational Marijuana
Sri lanka has strict drug laws and you should neither use nor carry any form of narcotics or recreational drugs in the country.
