Car & Driver in Sri Lanka

I've used 'Sam' Samarakoon and his brother - in - law Upali. Both have good vehicles, drive safely and 'no shops'.

Sam

Having a driver for our 3 week honeymoon in Sri Lanka made the trip. Ajit was a gem, possibly saved us half the money he charged (getting things for 'local' price), taught us some Sinhala, then invited us back to his place in Colombo for a crab feast at the end ...

currently in Ella and planning to get the bus to wellawhateveritis then Tangalle on Saturday but have been approached by driver seeing if us2 want to share a taxi tomorrow splitting the 5500 fare.
At Kandy railway stattion met 2 others and we paid 4500 between us to get to N E at Nanu Oya station ( close to N E) on being told the train was 4 hours late again split a 5000 fare to Ella -

Just returned - we did the Colombo-Kandy-Nuwara Elya-Tangalle-Colombo loop. We took a different driver on each leg. I actually would not recommend trying to organise a driver in advance. Doing it the way we did gives you the advantage of using drivers with local knowledge on each separate leg. Also if you have the misfortune of striking a driver who wants to take you to every crummy "attraction" en route, (where they will pay him a commission), you have the comfort of knowing you won't have to put up with him for long. You will have no trouble at all organising a suitable driver wherever you are - the tourist numbers are so low due to the civil upheavel, that competition for your custom is fierce (notice I did not say cheap! The Sri Lankan inflation rate is soaring, and so are the prices for all tourist services.)

And just another little warning - if you have the idea you might enjoy a little train trip in the much publicised first class observation cars, (Colombo to Badulla via Kandy) you can forget it! These reserved seats are only available ten days before the trip. They are the subject of one of the biggest scams in Sri Lanka - travel agents reportedly pay "beggars" to line up in the middle of the night and buy out the tickets. Even the locals were screaming about it in the local press, while we were there.

And while I am on the subject - I would strongly advise you to stay out of Colombo. Due to "the troubles", this is a very unpleasant and not at all safe place at the moment. We actually found ouselves physically manhandled into confinement by some child-soldier with a big gun, while we were out walking the streets, with no explanation at all. They arbitrarily clear the streets of all pedestrians and all traffic every time some big wig wants to go out for a drive.The big wig who caused our abrupt incarceration had the streets entirely to himself except for his three armoured cars, his personal bomb disposal vehicle and his attendant ambulance. Once he had passed, we were let out again. This sort of stuff is quite scary. In fact, noting some posts by people with small children, and pregnant women anxious to go to Sri Lanka, I really would strongly advise against it. Read the travel advisories. For once they are absolutely right!

Mandrill:

Do you have a contact number or info for the driver you hired. I am looking for someone reliable!

Thanks,
Mike