Sri-Lanka

If you open a map of the eastern hemisphere of the Earth and fix your gaze in the middle, then a little above the equator you can see a small island washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

This island is Sri Lanka, with the state of the same name located on it. Many people know this place by the name Ceylon – that‘s what the country was called during the colonial period, when it was dependent first on the Portuguese and then the British. In February 1948, Sri Lanka achieved independence, and in 1972 a new Constitution was adopted and a Republic was proclaimed. The old name of the island of Ceylon was replaced by a new one – Sri Lanka, and since 1978 the country has been called the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Now the old name has been diligently erased by the authorities from official documents, but it can still be found in almost every house – on a pack of tea. Ceylon tea is one of the highest quality in the world and has become the hallmark of Sri Lanka. It is popular all over the world due to its unique taste, aroma and color. But Sri Lanka is known not only for tea plantations – on the island you can find untouched wildlife, ancient temples and long endless beaches ideal for surfing, which has made Sri Lanka one of the most popular tourist destinations.

You can fly to Sri Lanka all year round, it is a country of eternal summer, and the average annual air temperature ranges from +28 ° C to +32 ° C. But do not forget about tropical downpours – in the western and southern parts, the rainy season falls from May to September, on the eastern and northern coasts — from October to March. It rains more often at night in the form of short but heavy downpours, and during the day the sky is overcast. The locals are always happy to welcome tourists, they are smiling and friendly, you can have a conversation with many in English – the colonial past makes itself felt. But, as in any other place, it is important to respect the cultural values of the Lankans and carefully look after their belongings.

How to get from Russia Almost all international flights arrive in Colombo. There are direct flights from Aeroflot, Red Wings and Azur from Moscow, as well as Azur charters from Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk and St. Petersburg. However, these are not the most budget options. To save money, you can buy a connecting flight. Necessary information The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee. To exchange, you should take dollars or euros with you, you can change them in many places: banks, exchange offices, hotels. But the most profitable course is usually in jewelry stores. An electronic visa is required for entry. Citizens of the Russian Federation visiting Sri Lanka before March 31, 2024 can get a free 30–day visa.

An Electronic Permit Application (ETA) must be submitted before arrival in Sri Lanka on the website www.eta.gov.lk This free ETA is valid for 30 days and allows double entry from the date of initial arrival in Sri Lanka. Despite the fact that, from the moment of receipt, the ETA is valid for 180 days, the applicant must arrive in Sri Lanka before 03/31/2024 in order to take advantage of this special free visa regime. If the applicant arrives in Sri Lanka after 03/31/2024, the ETA can be issued on a fee basis at the port of entry or online.