Sri Lanka welcomes all her visitors as honoured guests. The visitor in turn is expected to follow the social protocols of the country.

Dress Code
The Sri Lankan attitude to informal European dress styles is generally relaxed. Visitors should however, consider religious and other sensibilities.

Visitors to shrines, temples and other sacred places should be modestly attired. A knee-length dress is appropriate. Headgear and footwear must be removed prior to entering Buddhist and Hindu shrines.

Swimwear is not acceptable in public places. Also, nudism and topless bathing by females is prohibited.

Drugs
The import/export, possession or trafficking in narcotics and dangerous drugs carry the death sentence.

Videoing & Photography
Photography should be limited to traditional tourist sites. However, posing alongside or with religious statues is not permitted. Some religious sites may require prior permission. Videoing and photography of military and governmental buildings is strictly prohibited.

Prohibited and Restricted Imports & Exports
These include antiques, all indigenous non-domesticated animals, and certain endemic and threatened plants, fish and amphibians. The law strictly prohibits trading or possessing protected wild fauna and flora.

Child Abuse
The Penal Code of Sri Lanka imposes severe penalties for all acts of child abuse. The Sri Lankan law defines a person under the age of 18 as a child.