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Sri Lanka Cricket Tour Information

Hikkaduwa Beach At Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon Resort | Hikkaduwa | Sri Lanka | Australian Cricket Tours

Welcome to Sri Lanka

  • If you read nothing else, please read this; Bring two copies of your passport page to the pre-test match function. These MAY be required for match ticket purposes

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Many thanks for choosing to ACT in Sri Lanka, on the most disappointing test schedule we've had in 26 years of touring here. Two tests in Galle again!

As always, we do what we can with what we've been given and trust we will make your time with us as unique and enjoyable as we make every tour.

This information is just tid bits to help you prepare and know what to expect and what to do when you arrive at Colombo's Bandaranaike Airport and then Galle on the south coast.

We will be in Sri Lanka on January 15 and will update any of this information as we learn more in the months since we were last in Sri Lanka.

LAST UPDATED: Jan 16, 2025. Airport Transfers | Test Functions | Sri Lanka Visa

On This Page:

If there is anything else you need to know that we haven't covered, please ask

Sri Lanka Tourist Visa

The great news last October 2024 that Australian passports receive visa free entry Sri Lanka has been revoked by the new government.

#Typical

Australian Passports require a tourist visa (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka for up to 30 days, bought on the Sri Lanka Government Visa Website. This is US$50 + card fees. The application takes all of 5 mins to complete however even easier is a 'Visa On Arrival'.

The VOA counter is straight ahead as you exit the concourse, pretty much behind the statue of Buddha. No forms to fill, you just need A$105 cash or you can now use your credit card.

The ETA allows you to enter into Sri Lanka for the purpose stated on your application. You may be asked to produce a return air ticket and proof of funds, though we have never been asked for either.

If you are staying beyond 30 Days, Apply For An Extension once you are in Sri Lanka.

Department of Immigration and Emigration
Suhurupaya,
Battaramulla,
Colombo
Ph: +94.11.5329000
Immigration.gov.lk

30 days count from when you are stamped in and out of Sri Lanka. If you are flying Sri Lankan to Singapore, Melbourne or Sydney or Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong departing at 0010am, 0035am, 0045am, or 0110am or other flights early in the morning, you will be stamped out the day before you depart, so keep that in mind if your time is tight.

DUTY FREE: You are allowed to carry into Sri Lanka two regular-size bottles of wine and 1.5 litres of spirits. There are large duty-free shops after immigration where you can buy everything from Arrack (Sri Lanka distilled coconut water (33%), which is awesome on ice) to Amarula, Toblerones to tumble dryers. Spirits US$17 - US$50 for one litre.

What To Bring

Passport Photo Page: Please bring two copies of your passport page or two passport photographs as we MAY need this for match ticket purposes

Aussie Flag: We will have a pole of flags to use at the cricket, but are boomerangs at the end of the day. If you have your own, please bring it along

Jumper/Fleece: If you are spending time in the hill country, you should need something to keep you warm in the very cold evenings

Travel Plug: All hotels use 3-prong square UK sockets

Power Board: There may only be one UK plug in your room so pack a power board so you can use your hairdryer & curling wand whilst charging your phone

Sunscreen: Diabolically expensive in Sri Lanka

Wet Wipes: Do not underestimate the value in wipes to keep you refreshed on a smoking hot day at the cricket

Personal Medication: Paracetamol, ibuprofen and off-the-shelf medicines are stupidly cheap in Sri Lanka and available pill-by-pill. Prescription medication may not be available so bring what you need to cover your time.

Reusable Shopping Bag: Single-use plastic bags are still rife across Sri Lanka so if you plan to shop, albeit for fruit or snacks from the market, beer or arrack from the wine-shop, consider bringing your own 'bag for life' to help cut back on plastic. Bags are not given when buying alcohol. 

Old Sneakers or Reef Shoes: Some beaches are beautifully soft however the sand under the water may be littered with rocks and coral so we suggest you bring some old clogs if you intend to dip in the Indian. Bring a pair of goggles too if you want to do laps.

Gifts: Gift giving is not as prevalent here as it is in Pakistan however under the current economic climate, consider bringing small and useful gifts to use as tips for hotel or restaurant staff, taxi and tuk tuk drivers. I'm sure they will appreciate any gesture.

On our recent visit, gardeners, street sweepers, tradies, never wore gloves. They don't use them because they simply don't have them. I will bring a few dozen gardening gloves as there is no shortage of workers that could use them.

Trinkets such as 'Aussie' lapel pins, fridge magnets, chocolates and biscuits, stickers, school pens and whatnots, for the kiddies especially, keep the smiles long and broad. Otherwise, buy gifts and knick-knacks in Sri Lanka so for a double-joy, the shop gets your money and someone gets your gift.

Money In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's economic crisis of 2022 has waned massively, so what was pathetically cheap in July 2022 is now somewhat more expensive. Prices that rose markedly to counter the weaker value of the rupee, have remained high whilst the currency has strengthened.

Sri Lankan Rupee is displayed as LKR or Rs in notes: Rs20 | Rs50 | Rs100 | Rs500 | Rs1000 | Rs5000

DO NOT BRING US$. It is not needed. Aussies dollars are exchanged easily and everywhere.

When you leave the customs and baggage hall, there are several banks in front of you, pretty much offering the same rate. The first two as you enter the arrivals hall offered offer less, so look to your far left as the bank furthest away may give you a better rate.

If you are spending time in Colombo, there are two very generous foreign exchange shops around the corner from each other on Chatham & York Sts. in Colombo Fort.

If you have time in Colombo, don't change money at the airport, you get Rs15 more per dollar in Colombo and in Galle. There are several foreign exchange shops in Unawatuna and countless banks in Galle and on Galle-Matara Road towards Blue Beach Hotel and Unawatuna.

Depending on how much you exchange, try to refuse Rs5000 notes as these are difficult to offload in a nation that perennially has 'no change'.

Expect to pay:

  • Rs1500 for 660ml Lion bottle at hotel
  • Rs600 for 660ml Lion bottle at shop
  • Rs450 for 500ml Lion can at shop
  • Rs3000 for 700ml Arrack at shop
  • Rs3000 for fish/shellfish main course
  • Rs3000 for a burger
  • Rs2000 for fish curry
  • Rs500-Rs800 for barista coffee
  • Rs35 for post card stamp
  • Rs100 for vegetable roti (snack)

When you see a price Rs++, add 25% to the base cost for a more accurate price.

ATM's are plentiful across the country. Though connected to CIRRUS and PLUS networks, your withdrawal may still come off your credit card even after selecting Current or Savings. There are 4 ATM's outside Galle International Cricket Stadium.

The maximum you can withdraw from an ATM is Rs50,000 (A$200)

Credit cards are widely accepted at restaurants, cafes, shops, bars, souvenir stores, supermarkets and wine-shops. You need cash for your rickshaw and public bus, buying street food, eating at greasy spoons, coconuts on the beach, food at the cricket, or lounging at small beach bars.

Communication In Sri Lanka

  • We communicate tour information, from changes to transfer times, or function details, to where we go each night after play, by WHATSAPP ONLY. Install it on your phone if you haven't already and stay connected with us in SL!

  • DO NOT CALL OR TEXT MESSAGE our Australian number The SIM card WILL NOT be in the phone so it will not ring, and text messages will not be received
  • We will publish our Sri Lanka Mobile Phone Number here, once we buy this on arrival

When you pass through the banks at the airport, Dialog is in front of you. There are several networks with booths open 24hrs. All networks roughly offer the same thing, so shop around if there is a queue.

If you are travelling from the aiport and staying at Hilton Colombo, Dialog is next door in the World Trade Centre, where you can get connected to save Mr Jude (or any other driver) waiting for you at the airport.

If you need more data from convenience stores, the magic word in Sri Lanka is 'reload'. Don't ask for mobile credit or top-up, the shopkeep may not understand what you want. If you are staying in Sri Lanka for longer than 30 days, when you reload, your 30 days resets.

We will be contactable in Sri Lanka via Whatsapp ONLY so it is imperative that you have data on your phone, if not connected to WiFi, and Whatsapp installed.

For those that don't know, you do not need your Australian SIM to use your Australian Whatsapp number. With Whatsapp installed on your phone, any internet connection can be used.

If you put a local SIM card in your phone and are prompted by WhatsApp to change your number to the SL number, DON'T! Keep your Aussie number. You do not need to change numbers. 

Our Whatsapp Number:

  • +61.402.222217

Please send us a message (letting us know who you are!), as we may not yet have your number in our phone. We'll confirm any date or time changes via Whatsapp.

Airport Transfers In Sri Lanka

Once you have your rupees and SIM card, if you are enjoying our hotel tours, our transport gurus will meet, greet, and drive you to Colombo or Galle, whichever is relevant. Mr Jude or another driver with an as yet unknown name will meet you inside the arrivals hall. Look for the ACT cricket field:

Australian Cricket Tours ACT Cricket Field Logo

 

Once you leave the arrivals hall there is a SPAR Express and cafe if you want to top up with water or caffeine before the 2 hours journey to Hikkaduwa.

Those in the know will have Mr Jude's mobile number. The other driver's number will be shared here shortly. If you don't have a local mobile number, or cannot connect to the free airport WiFi, any Sri Lankan will kindly let you use their phone to call the driver.

Everyone that we know in Sri Lanka lives with Whatsapp on their phone.

UBER has arrived in Sri Lanka. You can book your car to drive you to Galle if travelling independently, or take a pre-paid fixed price taxi.

If making your own way from the airport, all travel agents within the arrivals hall (on the right as you leave customs) offer the same 'fixed price' fares. Prices vary by how many are travelling and if you use Tolls.

Mr Jude charges this for 1-2 pax: 

  • To Colombo Rs6000
  • To Galle/Unawatuna Rs25000
  • To Galle/Unawatuna Rs30000 (3-6 pax)

Hotels in Sri Lanka

We are staying at these hotels during the test series:

Your name is on the reservation so family or friends can call the hotel if they can't reach your mobile. On your ETA you need only the name of the hotel & city, not the address or phone.

Pre- & Post Test Functions

You will receive your match tickets and cool SL25 shirts at the pre-test function so do not go home without them! If you cannot make the function, and subsequently not receive your match tickets, please let us know ASAP, via WHATSAPP ONLY.

  • 1st Test Function Jan 28
  • 2nd Test Function Feb 5

If you are staying in our hotels, please meet:

  • Blue Beach Rooftop at 5pm
  • Araliya Unawatuna Pool Bar at 5pm

Transfers to Galle Cricket Club will follow at 5.30pm

Post Test Functions will be confirmed during each match but likely either the night of Day 3 or 4, knowing many are leaving early.

If you are enjoying our Match Tickets Package, come to Galle Cricket Club at 6pm.

If you cannot make it to the function to collect your tickets, let us know, and meet us the next morning (Day 1) at 9am outside the Galle Cricket Club.

DO NOT CALL OUR AUSTRALIAN MOBILE. WhatsApp +61402222217 ONLY.

Match Days In Sri Lanka

A bus will drive us to Galle International Cricket Stadium each day at these times:

  • Day 1 - 0830am
    • Toss 0930am | 1st Ball 1000am
  • Day 2, 3, 4, 5 - 0900am
    • 1st Ball 1000am

We'll remind you before dinner, but must stress that we won't wait until 0831am and you won't be the first person we've left behind. You do not have to take the bus, this is an included service if you want it.

Otherwise, see below about making your own way to Galle, where we're under cover in Galle Cricket Club Member's Pavilion (TBC), on the western side. 

Galle_Cricket_Club_Members_Pavilion_Galle_International_Cricket_Stadium_Sri_Lanka_Australian_Cricket_Tours

The ground is opposite the markets so you can nip out to buy lunch, go to the bank, have a miserable beer at Sydney Hotel, and be back before play resumes. The bus leaves straight after play to the hotels so please don't wait until then to run an errand as you will need to follow the below instructions to get home.

Getting About Sri Lanka

Rickshaw

The most crucial piece of information is the cost of an auto-rickshaw / tuk-tuk.

It's Rs100 for the 1st kilometre and Rs75 per kilometre thereafter. Many rickshaws now have digital meters, which they use, or apps on their phone, which they use.

Speaking of mobile phones, if you do a maps search of where you are to where you want to go, you will know how far the journey, and how much to pay if the driver doesn't use the meter.

During our last visit we paid Rs100/km, or rounded up the meter price considering everything in Sri Lanka was half the regular price per A$1.

  • Unwatuna to Galle by rickshaw Rs800+ on a meter
  • Unawatuna to Galle by bus Rs70 (don't expect change from Rs100)
  • Buses to Unwatuna from stand numbers 1 - 4 at Galle Bus Station

Uber is in Sri Lanka along with the local app Pick Me for rickshaws and taxis, if you wish to register your journey.

Sri Lanka Railways

If you want to train to/from Colombo or Hikkaduwa / Galle, nine daily trains run each way for Rs250 for the 2.5 hours to Galle. There's only one reserved seat train per day between Colombo - Galle. All others are unreserved.

Colombo to Kandy to the Hill Country has 7 reserved seat trains per day

To reserve seats on any available train, our man Ajith at Colombo Fort Railway Station is the man to Whatsapp (+94714978510). You need to be in Colombo to collect tickets, so a bit of planning is required but it beats lining up in the ticket office.

Day Trips In Sri Lanka

If you're staying for both tests, staying after the 2nd Test, or if either test ends early, we can point you in the direction you wish to go.

We highly recommend doing a Sri Lanka cooking course. We will can arrange this for you with a lady in Galle Fort we have used often

We recommend NOT GOING to Yala National Park. It is rubbish. We have never enjoyed it. Too many jeeps and zero animals expect elephants but you can see them walking down the street. If you still want to go, I hope you have an excellent day, truly. Expect to pay A$200 for one person on a private tour (by car).

Contact our man Denny from Berlin Travels on Whatsapp: +94 77 537 3483 to ask for ideas or read the tourism website below.

Safety In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is sublimely safe, random acts of terrorism aside such as Easter Sunday 2019. We can't control random. So we go to the cricket as planned.

Over years of touring and preparing to tour Sri Lanka we've not experienced anything that would cause us to reconsider. The political and social unrest we saw in the media in 2022 was not directed toward tourists or the tourism industry, and any curfews did not apply to tourists.

I know of no-one in our 26 years touring Sri Lanka that needed police or consular assistance.

We've not needed consular assitance but in 2011 an Aussie drowned at Unawatuna. As such, we remind you that the open waters of Sri Lanka's south-west coast are treacherous and suggest you only swim at Araliya Unawatuna, which is in a safer cove at the top of the beach.

Beach of Bonavista opposite Blue Beach too is a much safer prospect, but we suggest taking your towel to Shack Beach Cafe down the road from Blue Beach and enjoying a quiet day on the sands there with amazing food, including some of the best woodfired pizzas in Sri Lanka; well, at least the best on that strip of sand!! 

A Tourist Police office is on Unawatuna beach.

  • TOURIST POLICE: +94.11.2421052

We have been contacted by the Australian High Commission to register our touring numbers. In a worse case scenario, they will contact me to share impending risk or danger.

All will be good, but visit Smartraveller and register to receive Sri Lanka updates:

Thank you again for touring with us!

Luke

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