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The State Department web site below is a permanent electronic archive of information released online from January 1, 1997 to January 20, 2001. Please see www.state.gov for current material from the Department of State. Or visit http://2001-2009.state.gov for information from that period. Archive sites are not updated, so external links may no longer function. Contact us with any questions about finding information. NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

Country Commercial Guides for FY 2000: Sri Lanka Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Colombo, Sri Lanka, released July 1999   Note*

Chapter IX

BUSINESS TRAVEL

Business Customs

The business language is English. Business cards are a necessity. Courtesy is highly valued in Sri Lanka, and personal graciousness plays a major role in clinching deals. While punctuality is not as highly prized as in the United States, most appointments and other commitments are scrupulously observed.

Travel Advisory and Visas

Excerpts from the latest Consular information Sheet (last updated in September 1998) follow:

Areas of Instability: The 15-year old armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and a Tamil separatist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continues. The military launched a major offensive in the north in May 1997. Fighting has been intense. The LTTE responded with stepped up military and terrorist activity in the east. The military conflict in Jaffna, the northern peninsula and the eastern provinces, including the towns of Trincomalee and Batticaloa, is expected to continue. Sri Lankan defense regulations restrict travel in much of the island's northern area, including Wilpattu and Gal-Oya national parks. Yala National Park was closed following several terrorist incidents in July 1996 and access by the public continues to be severely restricted. Travelers are advised not to travel to the north, east and far southeast of the country. The U.S. Government maintains tight security procedures regarding travel of U.S. Government employees, officials, and dependents to those areas.

Terrorist Activity: In October 1997, the State Department formally designated the LTTE as a foreign terrorist organization. Terrorist activities in the capital city of Colombo and other areas remain a serious threat. Political assassinations are routinely carried out by the LTTE. In 1997 the LTTE attacked several commercial ships flying flags in the waters off the north and east of the country. While no terrorist attacks against international or domestic aviation in Sri Lanka have been recorded since 1987, in late 1998 threats were directed at domestic air carriers flying between Colombo and Jaffna.

Colombo's major hotels have been directly affected by terrorist activities and could be again because of their proximity to likely economic, government and military targets in the capital. In October 1997, a truck bomb was detonated in downtown Colombo, badly damaging nearby office buildings and adjacent five-star hotels. Eighteen people were killed and over 100 people were injured. U.S. citizens present at the time escaped major injury and death.

Although U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, LTTE operations have been planned and executed with the knowledge that Americans and other foreigners may be killed or injured. Tourists or business representatives traveling in Sri Lanka who are in the wrong place at the wrong time may be inadvertently caught up in random acts of violence. Additional attacks, especially on infrastructure facilities, could result in future tightening of security, causing hardship to travelers.

Americans are urged to exercise extreme caution in Colombo because of possible terrorist activities there. In addition, Americans are advised to avoid political rallies and other mass gatherings, limit exposure to government and military installations and use caution when traveling on public buses and trains. Street and highway checkpoints staffed by security personnel are common: travelers should closely follow any instructions given. Non Sri-Lankan citizens of Tamil heritage have occasionally been detained during security operations. All U.S. citizens are encouraged to keep their passports with them at all times in Colombo. In the event of a terrorist attack, Americans should monitor local radio and television, seek cover away from windows and return to their homes or hotels when it is safe to do so.

U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to register with the Embassy upon arrival in Sri Lanka.

Crime Information: Petty street crime such as purse snatching and pickpocketing is common, especially on crowded local transportation. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and the U.S. Embassy. Useful information on safeguarding valuable, personal security and other matter's while traveling abroad is provided in the pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to South Asia". They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402

Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use and trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced.

Entry and Registration Requirements: A passport, onward/return ticket and proof of sufficient funds (US$15 per day) are required. A tourist visa can be granted at the time of entry into Sri Lanka and may be valid for a maximum of 90 days. Business travelers may be granted a landing endorsement at the port of entry for a one-month period under certain circumstances. Yellow fever and cholera immunizations are needed if arriving from an infected area. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 2148 Wyoming Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 483-4025~8, or the Sri Lankan Consulate in New York, telephone (212) 986-7040. There are also honorary Sri Lankan consuls in Los Angeles, Honolulu; telephone (808) 735-1622, New Orleans; telephone (504) 455-7600 and New Jersey; telephone (201) 627-7855. Sri Lankan law requires all persons including foreigners, who are guests in private household to register in person at the nearest local police station. Individuals who stay in private household without registering may be temporarily detained for questioning. This requirement does not apply to individuals staying in hotels or guesthouses.

For recorded travel information from the State Department, call (202) 647-5225. For information by fax, call (202) 647-3000. Consular Information Sheets can also be obtained from the State Department's Internet website at http://www.travel.state.gov.

Holidays

Sri Lanka holidays are connected with the country's four religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Dates change from year to year. Holidays with fixed dates include Independence Day (February 4), Labor Day (May 01) and Christmas (December 25). Each full moon is marked by a Poya Day holiday.

The following is a list of holidays for 2000.

January	09	Ramazan Festival
January	15	Thai Pongal
January	20	Duruthu Poya
February	04	National Day
February	19	Navam Poya
March	04	Mahasivarathri Day
March	17	Id-Ul-Allah (Hajji Festival)
March	19	Medin Poya
April	12	Day Prior to Sinhala/Tamil New Year
April	13	Sinhala and Tamil New Year
April	18	Good Friday
April	21	Bak Poya
May	01	May (Labor) Day
May	17	Vesak Poya
May	18	Day Following Vesak Poya
June	15	Holy prophet's Birthday
June	16	Poson Poya
July	16	Esala Poya
August	14	Nikini Poya
September	13	Binara Poya
October	12	Vap Poya
October	26	Deepavali Festival
November	22	Il Poya
December	10	Unduvap Poya
December	25	Christmas
December	28	Ramazan Festival

Business Infrastructure

Colombo is served by a fairly modern international airport. Long-distance international flights often arrive and depart at somewhat inconvenient times (i.e., in the middle of the night). At present, no U.S. carriers provide service to Sri Lanka, though several U.S. airlines have sales agents in the country.

With over 25,000 kilometers of paved road, all parts of the island--aside from the war zones in the north and east--are easily accessible. However, virtually all roads are only one lane in each direction, and the average speed of travel is only about 20 miles per hour (30 kmh). Traffic in Colombo is very congested. Vehicle traffic moves on the left (British style). Narrow highways, dangerously driven intercity buses, overloaded trucks and a variety of vehicles ranging from ox carts to new four-wheel drive jeeps on the road make driving a challenge, not to mention dangerous. Many visitors hire cars and drivers, or use local taxi services. Radio-operated metered taxi cabs and motorized trishaws are freely available in the Colombo area. Taxi cabs are generally prearranged by phone, while the trishaws can be hailed on the street (rates must be negotiated, in advance).

International direct dialing is available and cellular telephones have become increasingly popular. International mail and courier services (including FedEx, UPS and DHL) are also available. A number of local providers offer Internet and e-mail services; because the phone line quality varies, connections are sometimes unstable.

Several five-star hotels provide accommodations and a wide range of amenities and services for business travelers in Colombo. There are also dozens of fine beach resorts two to three hours away. Housing facilities for expatriates are satisfactory, and options are steadily improving. Stand-alone homes with yards are available, but often require extensive effort and resources to renovate and maintain. Some expats choose to negotiate long-term living arrangements with five-star hotels for suites or rooms with kitchenettes. Several luxury apartment buildings, offering furnished units and numerous amenities (e.g., pool, health club, shopping, restaurants), and catering primarily to expatriates, have recently opened in Colombo.

Medical facilities are limited, but generally adequate. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment for health services. A serious illness or injury might require evacuation to the nearest country where more comprehensive medical facilities are available, usually Singapore or Thailand. Because U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States, supplemental insurance with specific overseas coverage, including medical evacuation coverage, may prove useful.

Several well-stocked supermarkets are located in Colombo. The Overseas School of Colombo offers programs for pre-school through twelfth grade, and is the only international school offering an International Baccalaureate diploma, which is the equivalent of a diploma from an American high school. Comprehensive practical information for Americans living in Colombo can be found in the "Colombo Handbook" published by the American Women's Association of Sri Lanka and available in bookstores in Colombo.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham) has close to 200 members, including firms with majority U.S. ownership, local agents representing U.S. goods and services, as well as local companies that have commercial relations with U.S. entities. The AmCham sponsors monthly luncheon meetings with a featured speaker, intermittent breakfast meetings with visiting U.S. officials and other guests, and occasional cocktail get-togethers. Since 1997, the AmCham has hosted an annual American Ambassador's Dinner. In addition, the AmCham has with other local and U.S. government-sponsored organizations co-sponsored quality and productivity seminars and a trade mission. The AmCham also organizes and sponsors the American Trade Fair, held once every 18 to 24 months, with Embassy support. The AmCham published a comprehensive membership directory in 1998, which is available to non-members for purchase. See appendix E for contact information.

"Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts: Guide for Business Representatives" is available for sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402; tel. (202) 512-1800; fax (202) 512-2250. Business travelers to Sri Lanka seeking appointments with U.S. Embassy Colombo officials should contact the Economic-Commercial Section in advance. The Economic-Commercial Section can be reached by telephone at 94-1-448-007, by fax at 94-1-437-345, or by email at coml@eureka.lk or ecpo@eureka.lk. Economic and commercial information prepared by the Embassy can also be found on the Embassy's website at www.usia.gov/posts/sri_lanka.

Temporary Entry of Goods

Temporary entry for exhibition material is allowed under the Carnet system of the International Chamber of Commerce. The exporter should ensure that required documents under the Carnet system are certified in the country of origin of the material. These documents should be presented at the time the goods are clearing Customs. Goods brought into the country under the Carnet system must be re-exported within six months. For additional information, contact the approving authority: Director of Customs, Times Building, Colombo 1, telephone 94-1-421141~9, fax 94-1-446364.

Visitors carrying laptop computers and software for use during their stay should declare the items to Customs upon entry and pay a refundable deposit, which is equivalent to a 12.5% Goods and Services Tax and a 0.5% National Security Levy. The deposit is refunded at the time of departure at the Customs counter at the airport. In practice, the rule is not strictly enforced in the case of small quantities of software brought in for temporary personal use.