Special purchases include handicrafts and curios of silver, brass, bone, ceramics, wood and terracotta. Also cane baskets, straw hats, reed and coir mats and tea. Batik fabric, lace and lacquerware are also popular. Some of the masks, which are used in dance-dramas, in processions and on festival days, can be bought by tourists. The '18-disease' mask shows a demon in possession of a victim; he is surrounded by 18 faces - each of which cures a specific ailment. Versions produced for the tourist market are often of a high standard. Sri Lanka is also rich in gems. Fabrics include batiks, cottons, rayons, silks and fine lace.
Shopping hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1730, Sat 0900-1300.
Currency Information:
Currency
Sri Lanka Rupee (SLRe, singular; SLRs, plural) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of SLRs1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 2. Coins are in denominations of SLRs10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. There are also large numbers of commemorative coins in circulation.
Currency exchange
Foreign currency must be changed only at authorized exchanges, banks and hotels, and these establishments must endorse such exchanges on the visitor's Exchange Control D form, which is issued on arrival and must usually be returned at the time of departure.
Credit & debit cards
American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Diners Club has more limited acceptance. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travelers cheques
The rate of exchange for travelers cheques is better than the rate of exchange for cash. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Currency restrictions
The import and export of local currency is limited to SLRs1000. The import of notes from India and Pakistan is not allowed, otherwise, the import of foreign currency is not restricted but all amounts over US$5000 are subject to declaration. Export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on import.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Sri Lanka Rupee against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date |
May '04 |
Aug '04 |
Nov '04 |
Feb '05 |
| £1.00= |
175.93 |
189.62 |
196.34 |
187.95 |
| $1.00= |
98.50 |
102.92 |
104.94 |
99.52 |
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1300. Some city banks close at 1500, whilst some even have night bank facilities.
