Sri Lanka is not a high-risk destination for most travellers, but a few health points are worth sorting out before you fly. This page is a plain summary of what the official sources say, not medical advice. Your own doctor or a travel health clinic can tailor it to your age, health and plans.
Vaccinations
There is no blanket vaccination requirement for tourists. One rule is worth knowing: a yellow fever certificate can be required if you arrive from a country with yellow fever transmission risk, or spend a long time in transit in one. Sri Lanka itself is not a yellow fever country. The exact rules, including age limits, are set by the authorities, so confirm them for your route.
Beyond that, the US State Department's health notes list typhoid, Japanese encephalitis and chikungunya as vaccines to discuss, and rabies vaccination before travel for some travellers. Wikivoyage's health section also mentions hepatitis A and B and tetanus. Because advice depends on you, see a travel health professional six to eight weeks before you go, and check these two pages for current guidance:
Mosquitoes: dengue and friends
Sri Lanka has been certified malaria-free by the World Health Organization since 2016, so antimalarial tablets are not normally part of the advice. Other mosquito-borne diseases are the issue. The US advisory names dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis, and says dengue is widespread in the Western Province, where Colombo is.
- Use an insect repellent with DEET or another recommended ingredient.
- Cover arms and legs at dawn and dusk, when many mosquitoes feed.
- Choose rooms with screens or a fan, and use a mosquito net if offered.
- If you get a high fever with severe headache and joint pain, see a doctor.
Water and food
- Tap water is not safe to drink in many areas. Many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless you ask for bottled water. Use sealed bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.
- The US advisory suggests asking for no ice in drinks, since ice may be made with tap water.
- Eat food that is freshly cooked and hot, and be careful with salads washed in tap water and with fruit juices of unknown origin.
Heat, sun and the sea
The heat is steady on the coast. Drink plenty, wear a hat and sunscreen, and take a break at midday. At the beach, rip currents are common on the south coast: swim where locals swim and treat a red flag as meaning the sea is unsafe. Mirissa and Unawatuna have good beaches but also strong currents in rough months.
Medical care
- Colombo has six large hospitals, including four with emergency and trauma services. Outside Colombo, facilities are limited.
- Ambulances are widely available, but they are not staffed with trained paramedics and often have little equipment. The US advisory says injured or seriously ill people may prefer to go to the nearest major hospital by taxi or private car rather than wait.
- Payment. Hospitals often need payment up front or proof of good insurance before they treat or admit a patient. Sources differ on whether government hospitals treat visitors free of charge, so do not count on it.
- Insurance. Make sure your policy covers medical evacuation. Serious conditions can require evacuation to another country.
Dial 1990 for an ambulance, and 119 for police. Sri Lanka Tourism's 24-hour hotline is 1912.
Medicines
Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging, with a copy of the prescription from your doctor. Counterfeit medicines are common, so buy any extra only from a trusted pharmacy and with a professional's advice. Pack a small kit with rehydration salts, plasters, pain relief and antiseptic. See what to pack.
Before you go
- See a travel health professional six to eight weeks before you leave.
- Buy travel insurance with medical evacuation cover.
- Pack repellent, sunscreen and your regular medicines.
- Read the official safety advice and the visa guide.