Colombo Practical information

Health & safety

Contents

Dangers & annoyances

Crime

While violence towards foreigners is uncommon, it helps to tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back.

Women in particular are urged to take care at night. Even couples should be very cautious about walking along lonely beach areas, such as those near Mt Lavinia, after dark.

Solo women should be careful when taking taxis and three-wheelers at night; if, as sometimes happens, your taxi turns up with two men inside, call another. Travellers should also avoid taking three-wheelers between the airport and Colombo at night; robberies are not unknown.

Watch out for pickpockets when on public transport. Never get on a bus or train with your shoulder bag unzipped – in fact, don’t even walk down the road with it in that state. If you are carrying valuables such as a passport, travellers cheques or reasonably large amounts of cash, keep them out of sight and out of reach in a money belt or a pouch under your clothes. Bum bags, besides being a fashion error, are far too conspicuous.

Scams

Touts (sometimes disguised as officials) gather inside the second arrivals hall waiting for jet-lagged visitors to emerge. You may be approached with claims that, for some reason or another (eg a bomb’s just gone off somewhere), it’s dangerous to travel any further unaccompanied. The pitch is that the tourists should, for their own safety, sign up for a tour on the spot. This can end up being a convenient scam if you do want to take a tour, but if you want to travel independently double-check the current security situation with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board’s information desk in the first arrivals hall.

Touts

Colombo has its share of touts and con artists. Fort train station is a favourite hang-out and the touts here are particularly skilful and persuasive. Galle Face Green is another favourite hunting ground. You are likely to be approached at some stage by someone who, after striking up a conversation, asks for a donation for a school for the blind or some such cause – these people are invariably con artists.

While you're there

Medical services

Avoid government hospitals such as Colombo General, if you can. The following private hospitals have relatively high standards and English-speaking doctors.

ApolloHospitalColombo (453 0000; cnr Vijaya Kumaratunga Mawatha & Park Rd, Col 5) Established in 2002, this medical facility contains a bank and food centre as well as the usual.

AshaCentralHospitalColombo (269 6411; 57 Horton Pl, Col 7)

NawalokaHospital (254 4444; 23 Sri Saugathodaya Mawatha, Col 2)

Osu Sala (269 4716; 255 Union Pl, Col 2; 24hr) This is the only nonhospital pharmacy open round the clock.