Sri Lanka is one of the oldest republics in South Asia and a diverse country with three different faiths. Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims all live together here. The island has a tropical climate and is affected by the thunderstorms of the Indian Ocean. So make sure you are well prepared before moving to Sri Lanka!
In this post, we will give you some information to help you enjoy your new life in Sri Lanka.
After your move to Sri Lanka, get to know the country and its people
Sri Lanka is an island nation off the southern coast of India and, as mentioned at the beginning, one of the oldest republics in South Asia. With an estimated population of over 21 million people, it is the 57th most populous country in the world. Sri Lanka itself has two capitals, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte and Colombo, and its own currency, the Sri Lankan rupee.
About 70 percent of Sri Lanka’s population is Buddhist, followed by Hindu and also Muslim. Sri Lankans have a long life expectancy, more than 10 years longer than the world average, with residents having a life expectancy of nearly 80 years.
One of Sri Lanka’s recognized languages is Sinhala, the native language of the Sinhalese, who are the country’s largest ethnic group with a population of about 16 million. Tamil is the other recognized language and is spoken in Tamil Nadu and many other regions of Sri Lanka.
English is widely spoken in business, science, and education. Some Sri Lankans speak Portuguese and Dutch.
The climate you can expect after your move to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate with average temperatures ranging from 17 °C to 33 °C and significant temperature fluctuations between day and night.
The island is affected by the thunderstorm winds of the Indian Ocean, and it has been reported that some areas of the central hills receive up to 2500 mm of rain in a month, while the east and northeast of the island receive hardly any rain.
How to get a visa for Sri Lanka
Foreign nationals need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. The type of visa required depends on how long you plan to stay and the purpose of your visit.
The Department of Immigration & Emigration is responsible for visas, passports, citizenship and border control. Full details can be found on the Department’s website, including information on short-term visas, long-term visas and citizenship procedures.
For business, tourism, and transportation purposes, obtain an electronic travel authorization, which is an authorization for a short visit (ETA) to Sri Lanka.
Restrictions may apply for certain business purposes or for media entry, for more information see the sanctions page where you can also apply for an ETA. Emigrants with an ETA can apply for an extension of their stay for up to 90 days at a time, you can apply for this on the Department of Immigration and Emigration website. For longer stays, a visa is required, which must also be renewed annually.
How to avoid culture shock after moving to Sri Lanka
With a rich and diverse history underpinning the country’s culture, it is inevitable that you will experience culture shock as an expatriate after moving to Sri Lanka. However, this does not mean that moving to Sri Lanka has to be scary.
Due to the numerous influences, after you emigrate to Sri Lanka, you will find that the inhabitants of the country observe numerous traditions in many aspects of their daily lives. These customs are maintained by the locals from birth.
Among other things, the Sinhalese observe a practice called “Nam Tebim”. In this practice, parents are given a selection of letters by a prophet to name their child, and these letters are justified by the time of birth. The rituals continue with the child’s first trip outdoors.
Those living abroad in Sri Lanka will find that village life also has a number of customs and traditions. The joyous Gam Maduwa is one custom you may want to participate in. It is a village festival that is of special interest to the producers, as they believe it invokes the blessings of the gods.
Living in Sri Lanka also means getting used to superstitions and premonitions. Don’t be surprised if before you go anywhere or start a journey, you come across someone carrying a pot of water, milk or white flowers. This is considered a sign of a safe and successful trip.
Thanks to this post, nothing now stands in the way of your move to Sri Lanka. We hope that you will fully enjoy life in your new home. To be honest, we even envy you a little bit.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send us a message. We will answer you as soon as possible and support you in your move to Sri Lanka in the best possible way.