Photography:

DON’T pose in front or by the side of a Buddha statue it is considered extremely disrespectful or try to touch or try to photograph a Buddhist monk without prior assent, climbing on stupas and statues are considered sacrileges so please avoid it. Remove your head gear and shoes when entering a religious or a place of worship and should also be attired decently.

Music:

Sri Lankan youth will drum up a beat whenever they are on holiday and have a distinct type of “Baila” music, a derivative of Kafferinhoe, and anything available will turn into shakers or drums and most hotels play calypso music along with reggae during weekends.

Tipping:

“Beach boy” is the common term used and offer various services if accepting note that they will also make a living thus will receive a commission from wherever they lead you, but they can also communicate very well in most European languages. A service charge of 10% is usually levied in most restaurants, if they haven’t a tip of Rs. 100/- to 500/- depending on the standard service is considered good.

LGBT Community:

This is considered taboo in Sri Lanka due to religious beliefs and cultural background, however you will see that most men and women hold hand in same sex, but don’t take it to have the western meaning! Same sex relationships are illegal in Sri Lanka while nude or topless sunbathing is not tolerated.

@@ Narcotics / Drugs: Like most Western, Asian & Middle Eastern countries it is prohibited by the penal code of Sri Lanka and there are severe penalties for all drug and related offences and crimes related to the abuse of children. In most circumstances detainees can be held without charge, indefinitely and convicted offenders may face lengthy jail sentences.