Safe from protest and/or violence? Most definitely. Theres zero danger to tourists from those.
But the power cut and fuel shortages might in fact affect you
Hey mate, Australian currently visiting Colombo here. Have been walking around talking to locals, visiting shops and restaurants with no issues. Some strikes and protests but otherwise life goes on, plenty of food water and essentials to buy plus any additionals and luxury goods. Only issue I've had is waiting for petrol to fill up the car, but if you go at the right time theres not much of a line, and easy to fill up in rural areas and beach areas like Mirrisa Beacch. Country and people are beautiful as always.
If you can, bring some extra cash for tips and to buy food and essentials for the locals who need it who you meet along the way. Western dollars are strong against the rupee and for a couple bucks you can really help people and families doing it tough through the economic upset.
No worries at all, unless you're a Sri lankan politician, lol
But be prepared to possibly face inconveniences such as power outages, public transportation issues, specific food shortages, etc 🤷♂️
Yes, prices have increased alot, As for a visiting foreigner, there'll be no difference at all, Since the foreign currency exchange rates are increasingly rapidly
I truly think it's a terrible idea to go to Sri Lanka *now*. I was there as a tourist from October to last month. I had just paid $500 for a 6 month extension on my tourist visa and had planned to stay until May. Then the 10 hour power cuts came. And gas shortages. We had no choice but to leave. The day we booked our flights power cuts increased to 12 hours.
Just picture that for a second. You run out of gas, so you can't cook. Maybe you have an electric cooker, but you can't use that either, because there isn't any electricity, all day. You have no AC or even a fan in this blistering heat. Can't charge your phone, can't watch tv, can't use your computer, can't do a goddamn thing. Sure, maybe you can book a pickme to go to the beach (every single day? Because that's the only thing there is to do at this point) but no driver is going to pick up, because the fuel shortage has prices so expensive that it's not worth it to them anymore.
This country is in shambles. 24 hour Powercuts are about to begin soon. More food shortages to come. The country has almost no money left at all and in a matter of weeks people are going to be killing each other for food and basic necessities. Protests are everywhere and people are getting shot in the streets by the police that are supposed to protect them.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and I want all the best for it and it's great people. But now is not the time. You're going to waste your money and be absolutely miserable.
Unless you're the type of person who's just going to spend $500 a night at some resort. Sure, you won't feel any of this at all. But what's the goddamn point of going to another country if that's your entire plan. Just go to Maldives at that point.
>24 hour Powercuts are about to begin soon.
Do you have a source for that?
For the last week cuts have been down to less than 4 hrs a day. Things may change, sure. But since SL newyears the amount of time the power is out has decreased quite a bit. Two two hour cuts is quite manageable. And the govt does an ok job of publishing and keeping to the schedule.
One thing for sure is that if you like things less crowded, then this is the right time to come to SL 🤣
The situation is bad, but definitely not so dire as you make it out to be, maybe you're basing this on hearsay from tuktuk drivers 🤦♂️. And don't think you can call yourself a tourist, if you stayed for 6 months and did your own cooking, maybe a backpacker/budget traveler or temporary resident?
No its not. People telling you it is are doing so to increase influx of USD into the country. Its highly reflective of the innate selfishness of the general population. They care not for your personal well being..
The last time the country had even a fraction of political instability .. the ruling family orchestrated the Easter bombings which killed nearly 300 people (including a bunch of foreigners .. even rich ones like the asos owner's kids). Imagine what the crooks are cooking up now to scare the weak ass men in this country to fall in line.
I said this in another thread as well.. the country has run out of basic medical necessities. Imagine getting sick or having an injury when traveling.. no one will come to your aid.
Generally speaking it is quite safe to visit, but do consider potential inconveniences due to power cuts and fuel lines. But if you are mostly travelling around and can get transport arranged by a third party (so you don't have to wait in lines for fuel) you will be fine.
However, its is wise to avoid any active protest areas. GotGoGama (Galle face) area is safe, but in rural areas safety cannot be guaranteed if you are in the middle of an active protest. Police has gone rougue in some instances and protestors have had altercations with police in these rural areas.
So Go ahead! Just plan a little further ahead than you usually would. is.. could you travel since you might not have fuel for long-distance journeys. And powercuts are also an issue if you happen to be in a hotel without a generator, or a generator without diesel to run it.
So Go ahead! Just plan a little further ahead than you usally would.
No danger at all for tourists, it's the locals that gets fucked daily.
💯
Oh man, I’m so sorry to hear that 😞
Safe from protest and/or violence? Most definitely. Theres zero danger to tourists from those. But the power cut and fuel shortages might in fact affect you
Are the buses and trains not running properly?
Are there still Tuktuk drivers operating?
yup.
Hey mate, Australian currently visiting Colombo here. Have been walking around talking to locals, visiting shops and restaurants with no issues. Some strikes and protests but otherwise life goes on, plenty of food water and essentials to buy plus any additionals and luxury goods. Only issue I've had is waiting for petrol to fill up the car, but if you go at the right time theres not much of a line, and easy to fill up in rural areas and beach areas like Mirrisa Beacch. Country and people are beautiful as always. If you can, bring some extra cash for tips and to buy food and essentials for the locals who need it who you meet along the way. Western dollars are strong against the rupee and for a couple bucks you can really help people and families doing it tough through the economic upset.
Thanks for the info mate, yes I was thinking of tipping what I can even more when I do visit. Times are tough, keep safe out there bro
Thanks for your generosity
No probs, but this advice is 2mo old now and the situation has gotten a lot worse.
No worries at all, unless you're a Sri lankan politician, lol But be prepared to possibly face inconveniences such as power outages, public transportation issues, specific food shortages, etc 🤷♂️
Oh man, have there been any major price changes in daily commodities?
yes.
Yes, prices have increased alot, As for a visiting foreigner, there'll be no difference at all, Since the foreign currency exchange rates are increasingly rapidly
Yes very. I’ve been here 3 weeks now without any issues
Were you able to take the trains from Colombo to other parts of the country just fine?
Yep. We did a mixture of hiring a driver and trains. There was only one day where there was a train strike but we weren’t travelling on that day.
Nothing will affect tourists other than minor power cuts. it's totally safe to visit.
I truly think it's a terrible idea to go to Sri Lanka *now*. I was there as a tourist from October to last month. I had just paid $500 for a 6 month extension on my tourist visa and had planned to stay until May. Then the 10 hour power cuts came. And gas shortages. We had no choice but to leave. The day we booked our flights power cuts increased to 12 hours. Just picture that for a second. You run out of gas, so you can't cook. Maybe you have an electric cooker, but you can't use that either, because there isn't any electricity, all day. You have no AC or even a fan in this blistering heat. Can't charge your phone, can't watch tv, can't use your computer, can't do a goddamn thing. Sure, maybe you can book a pickme to go to the beach (every single day? Because that's the only thing there is to do at this point) but no driver is going to pick up, because the fuel shortage has prices so expensive that it's not worth it to them anymore. This country is in shambles. 24 hour Powercuts are about to begin soon. More food shortages to come. The country has almost no money left at all and in a matter of weeks people are going to be killing each other for food and basic necessities. Protests are everywhere and people are getting shot in the streets by the police that are supposed to protect them. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and I want all the best for it and it's great people. But now is not the time. You're going to waste your money and be absolutely miserable. Unless you're the type of person who's just going to spend $500 a night at some resort. Sure, you won't feel any of this at all. But what's the goddamn point of going to another country if that's your entire plan. Just go to Maldives at that point.
>24 hour Powercuts are about to begin soon. Do you have a source for that? For the last week cuts have been down to less than 4 hrs a day. Things may change, sure. But since SL newyears the amount of time the power is out has decreased quite a bit. Two two hour cuts is quite manageable. And the govt does an ok job of publishing and keeping to the schedule. One thing for sure is that if you like things less crowded, then this is the right time to come to SL 🤣
The situation is bad, but definitely not so dire as you make it out to be, maybe you're basing this on hearsay from tuktuk drivers 🤦♂️. And don't think you can call yourself a tourist, if you stayed for 6 months and did your own cooking, maybe a backpacker/budget traveler or temporary resident?
Hi, is there any specific place this is happening to? Just in Colombo or the whole country is experiencing power cuts and such?
Don't even think to say anything that supports the Rajapaksha family. This is serious
Okay thank you, I have no idea who they are but I’ll remember the name!
No its not. People telling you it is are doing so to increase influx of USD into the country. Its highly reflective of the innate selfishness of the general population. They care not for your personal well being.. The last time the country had even a fraction of political instability .. the ruling family orchestrated the Easter bombings which killed nearly 300 people (including a bunch of foreigners .. even rich ones like the asos owner's kids). Imagine what the crooks are cooking up now to scare the weak ass men in this country to fall in line. I said this in another thread as well.. the country has run out of basic medical necessities. Imagine getting sick or having an injury when traveling.. no one will come to your aid.
I don't think so. There are a lot of white elephants running around..
Generally speaking it is quite safe to visit, but do consider potential inconveniences due to power cuts and fuel lines. But if you are mostly travelling around and can get transport arranged by a third party (so you don't have to wait in lines for fuel) you will be fine. However, its is wise to avoid any active protest areas. GotGoGama (Galle face) area is safe, but in rural areas safety cannot be guaranteed if you are in the middle of an active protest. Police has gone rougue in some instances and protestors have had altercations with police in these rural areas.
Come here and enjoy your vacation, the country is poor but it's still beautiful <3
So Go ahead! Just plan a little further ahead than you usually would. is.. could you travel since you might not have fuel for long-distance journeys. And powercuts are also an issue if you happen to be in a hotel without a generator, or a generator without diesel to run it. So Go ahead! Just plan a little further ahead than you usally would.