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Sri Lankan Airlines, a national flagship carrier operates to and from Colombo Bandaranayake. Flights are available from all places to Colombo namely Europe, Middle East, China, Japan, India & Pakistan. There are also Sri Lankan flights to nearby resort areas like Maldives, Goa etc. Srilanka’s only low cost airline Mihin Lanka flies to several parts of India, Male, Bangkok and Singapore. Other airlines include Cathay Pacific, Malaysia, Singapore, Qatar and LTU.

For those traveling from USA or Canada there are various options and you can consider a stop over at Europe or SE Asia. You can also opt for the non-stop flights to New Delhi from Chicago or Newark. This may be the farthest route but you have to check if an Indian transit visa is required.

You can also travel via ship to Sri Lanka from Trivandrum. The rates are more affordable this way. Sri Lanka Port Authority will be able to give further details for traveling by ship.
Mode of Transport within Sri Lanka

The three-wheeler or tri-Shaw is the most common mode of transport within Sri Lanka. Also known as tuk-tuks this is the most cost effective method to travel around Sri Lanka. Rented cars are another mode of transport which are cheaper and safer than three wheelers and hence recommended by most hotels. You can also avail a van with driver facility from a tour operator but you have to agree upon a day to day travel plan with the tour operator for seeing Sri Lanka.

Bus rides can be uncomfortable and crowded and though they may be cheap it will leave you confused. AC buses are still better but still uncomfortable. Trains also run in certain places and are cheaper and more comfortable than buses. You can enjoy the picturesque scenery of Sri Lanka by going on a train ride. Sitting on the right side offers a better view. A good railway system covers major points in Sri Lanka excepting the North and East coasts. Seaplane services are available to certain places like Galle, Kandy, Nuwara, Eliya etc. You can get a bird’s eye view of Sri Lanka from such travel.

Sri Lanka has some exotic places of interest and makes a great holiday destination. The
National Museum established in 1877 showcases artifacts and manuscripts encompassing the age old tradition of the island. The National History Museum features the flora and fauna of the island. Pettah is the bazaar street of Sri Lanka where you can shop for anything ranging from handicrafts to clothing.

Colombo’s zoo is worth a visit and you can see all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and fishes here. The aquarium in the zoo exhibits over 500 types of fishes. There is also an aviary and a butterfly park including a reptile enclosure.

The ancient city of Anuradhapura is situated about 250 km north of Colombo and it stands majestically in a jungle. You can see remains of ruined palaces, sculptures, monasteries and bathing ponds in this great city. You can travel on a bicycle to see rare spots in this city. Tourist facilities and hotels are available nearby.

The Pinnewela Elephant orphanage is unique of its kind established by the Sri Lankan Government in 1975. It covers about 25 acres of lush forest and its purpose is to nurse and feed young elephants abandoned by their mothers. The mountain peak known as Sri Pada or Adam’s peak is a sacred pilgrimage centre and thronged by people of all faiths. It bears a footprint on a rock on its summit. The traditional city of Kandy is another great tourist place of interest as it has the sacred tooth of Buddha. As the tooth is contained in a casket people cannot see it, nevertheless it is a famous tourist spot.

The Northeast coast of Srilanka has a natural harbor where you can see the ancient port of Trincomalee. The beaches here are an attractive sight and you can see Fort Frederik built by the Portuguese and Tirukoneswaram temple which is a famous Hindu temple.

The other places of interest worth mentioning are the star fort, Wewurukaimala temple at Matara which has beautiful Buddhist murals and the Yala National park. The port city of Galle is seeped in Dutch tradition and has a fort; Sigiriya is an important Buddhist site which you can see in Central Sri Lanka.