Climate

Similar to other islands near the equator there is a tropical monsoon climate in Sri Lanka with an average temperature of 30°C in winter and 35°C in summer and a humidity around 80 to 90%. In the mountains where it can be considerably cooler with temperatures ranging from 10 to 16°C and even occasional ground frost, daytime temperatures are considerably lower and ensure a comfortable climate.
The hottest months are March and April with the sun vertically over Sri Lanka. Then, the south west monsoon covers mainly the south west corner, with rain from May to August.
In the north and east of the island the main rain period is in December and January, which has less rainfall than the south west monsoon. In the mountains you have often to expect rain which can amount up to 450cm per year. Other areas in the northern and south-east areas are dry plains.
The optimum travel period is from March to November on the east and north-east parts of the island and from November to March on the South-west part of the island. Travelling throughout the whole island is ideal during the low rain period between end of January to middle of April.

General Info

Source:Wikipedia

Vaccination

No vaccination is required for travelers from Germany.
However, there should generally be a certain protection level regarding:
Tetanus, Diphterie, Hepatitis A

Depending on destination and duration of the holiday vaccination is also advisable regarding:

Typhus, Hepatits B

Please contact your national health service or check for relevant information on the internet before you start your journey.

It is important to follow carefully certain hygienic precautions with regard to drinking water and alimentation to reduce the risks of intestinal infections. In general, water should be boiled or sterilized before drinking, brushing your teeth or freezing ice cubes. You should avoid buying or eating food from cheap street restaurants and markets.

Passport, customs, visa

In general, a passport is required that is valid for a minimum of six months.
You are allowed to take into Sri Lanka the following items (18 years and above):
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g tabacco;
2 bottles of wine and 1.5 l spirits;
56.7 g parfume and 250 ml Eau de Toilette;
Souvenirs up to the value of 250 USD.
Generally, a visa is required. German citizens receive a visa on their arrival in Columbo, Bandaranayake International Airport, as long as they have a return or round trip ticket and enter as tourists for a maximum stay of up to 30 days.
Tourists who wish to stay longer than 30 days can extend their visa at the Department of Immigration and Emigration No.14, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka, tel: (0094) (011)533 33 65, 533 31 62

Civil War

The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on June 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (the LTTE, also known as the Tamil Tigers and other few rebel groups), a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil Eelam in the north and the east of the island. After a 26 year long military campaign, the Sri Lankan military defeated the Tamil Tigers in May 2009

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