Tips for first time in Sri Lanka

Hi everybody,
I and my wife are going to arrive to Sri Lanka to Waikkal on 15th december for 2 weeks.
What are "absolutely must be visited" around Waikkal and Negombo and in the land ?
How much costs one day roundtrip in the taxicab with english/ german/ spanish /russians speaking driver?
Capitol Colombo is interesting place to visit? and safety in the daylight?
Are there place to look the tigers on freedom? Or something like Sri Racha Tiger Zoo ?
How about prices on clothes? f.e. jeans? T-shirts?
Where can we drink teh best tea of Cejlon?
What money should we take (euro? U$D ?) and in which notes? (5,10 or 50,100) ? and if good condition of notes is preferable?

I apreciate for every answer, especially concretes.

1. Taxi - if you mean a car and driver who speaks some English - about $45 USD, perhaps a little more. Plus tip.

2. Where or what is 'Waikkal' ?

3. Negombo is a convenient place to stay for one night coming or going, because it's near the International Airport for Colombo. Otherwise there's not much there. The Negombo Beach is not as good as many other beaches further South.

4. Colombo is safe by day and by night. the problem areas are in the North and the East, where the Tamil tigers are engaged in a Civil War with the Government.

5. Tigers are not native to Sri Lanka. There are some in the Colombo Zoo.

6. You can drink tea anywhere and everywhere. In the Highlands - around Nuwera Eliya is the best place to see Tea Factories and plantations.

7. Clothing is cheap, especially in Colombo.

8. New notes are best, a range of denominations. All of GBP, Euros and USD are easily changed in most large towns. ATMs are very common - and that's what I used with any major International card.

9. "absolutely must be visited" places depend on what interests you and your companions. Buy a Guide Book. The cost is small compared to the other costs involved in your trip.

Waikkal is a small resort town north of Negombo. Not many must visits around there. There are some nice, historic churches off the road between Colombo and Negombo and Waikkal, but nothing spectacular.

Colombo has a few old sights, not much. You can find very cheap factory rejects at some stores in Colombo. Banana Republic type stuff for US$5/SLrupees500.

Probably won't see any tigers, maybe the Dehiwala Zoo has some lounging about, south of Colombo. But not in the wild. Go to the elephant orphanage between Colombo and Kandy to see elephants. Then head to the upcpuntryside around Kandy to visit the tea plantations. Kandy has the Temple of the Tooth, important shrine. North of Kandy are the ancient cities, they have a few more must see sights.

Change your money upon arrival at the airport. There are a lot of banks in the arrivals lounge, most of the major world currencies can be changed.

Thanks a lot for all answers.
Waikkal is 5 km nord of Negombo.

One more question: is it possible to go from this place (f.e. Colombo to Jafna and farer to India by boat across Adam's Bridge ?

no, don't even think about it

Why not?

Why not?

Everything is clear.
We've been in this nice island.
Thanks for every tipp. There were helpfull and right.
Happy New Year!