| Sri Lanka
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| City: |
Colombo |
| Country: |
Sri Lanka
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| Submitter's Name: |
Laura |
| Nationality: |
Canadian |
| Arrival Date: |
August 2004 |
| Date Submitted: |
October 03, 2007 |
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Life in the developing world. This tropical capital city situated next to the Indian Ocean often feels like a small town with big city traffic. The city is spread out with no real city centre or central shopping area and few tall buildings. there are lots of trees but you often don't notice them amongst the rush and bustle at street level. It is a poor city that has grown faster than infrastructure can hope to maintain. |
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Pros- For a developing country you can find almost everything in the grocery stores; inexpensive clothes from the local garment industry; interesting fine handicrafts. Many activities for expats, and especially good for school-aged families (not so good for pre-school activities).
Non-Sri Lankans are generally accepted or ignored but we have never been harrassed. Looking "east Indian" can attract unwanted attention. It is a conservative culture which means dressing conservatively (no short shorts or skirts); many Sri Lankan women wear saris or shalwar (tunic, pants and shawl). It is always hot and humid so cotton is advised.
Personal security is not a concern. There is almost no crime against foreigners.
Cons - There is a undeclared civil war going on in the north and eat of the country. Every once in a while there are targeted killings and bombs in the city. There are high numbers of soldiers carrying machine guns all over Colombo, but they will smile and say good morning when you walk by.
The climate can be onerous. High humidity and a constant temperature of 30 or more can be tiring.
Air pollution, especially caused by belching cars and buses is a health factor. Traffic itself is chaotic and aggressive. Most foreigners hire a driver to navigate the traffic and find the elusive parking. Outdoor exercise is therefore difficult but there are many clubs and pools to join.
Do not even think about taking bikes.
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Work permits are hard to get. You need a job offer first - the employer may be able to help get the work permit. If you are in Colombo you will hae to leae the country and re-enter once the work permit is issued. Recently it has been impossible to get work permits that allow for travel to the north and east (such as with international NGOs). Visitors visas can be extended with appropriate complex bureaucracy. |
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Lots of houses with walls around the perimeter. Old, new, spacious cramped. There is a small selection of apartments and flats. some come partly furnished or unfurnished. Rents have been high but seem to be coming down as tsunami projects are wrapping up and giving up offices and foreign staff leaving.
Deciding where to live - urban or more rural? Close to work or to kids'
school (even short distances can mean long commutes)? Garden or roof-top patio? |
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All foreigners and most middle-class Sri Lankans have at least some household help. sometimes one person can fill house cleaning-laundry-cook-child care. Sometimes people hire a number of people.
Most houses and apartments have "maid's quarters" of a small room and (often yucky) toilet for a maid to live-in. Others prefer live-out.
Gardeners are useful to maintain the ever growing plants. House guards can do double duty of opening the gate, gardening and household chores (called a house boy). the cost is reasonable: about US$150-200/month for a fulltime employee. |
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Mobile phone rule. Land lines are hard to get and can be costly so everyone has a mobile. SMS texting is common.
There are internet cafes and a couple of WiFi zones. Internet is slow even with ADHL but it works and access cards are readily available. Be careful with dial-up though - the rate may seem low until you are billed for telephone usage at extremely high rates per minute, especially during the day.
BBC television is on the basic cable package. some people alos get CNN.
English language TV stations rebroadcast from India include North american, Australian and Indian shows and movies. MTV is Bollywood and is delightful.
the postal service can be bureaucratic but it works. Witnin the country next day service is common. Packages can be mailed - don't take insurance unless you want to open the package in front of the postal worker. We never had any problem mailing packages though it can take time. |
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Sinhala and Tamil are the two local languages. Both are hard to learn but it is worth leaning some basics to understand and communicate.
Foreigners living in Colombo can easily get by with English. At home a maid can translate.
The British Institute has a very good Sinhala class - twice a week classes.
Best adult educator I have ever met. |
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Water - don't ever drink the water. Bottled water prevails and can be bought anywhere in the country. Except in times of drought water is available at home.
Gas - might be used for cooking. Easily available.
Electricity - VERY expensive. And in a world of air conditioners you have to make decisions about what and when to run them. Fluorescent light bulbs are commonly available. Batteries are cheaper than in North america. |
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| Forget it.
Lots of volunteer opportunities. Just ask around or create your own place. I began an exercise program for seniors. |
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ATMs are readily available to draw money on foreign accounts. No ATM at the airport.
Bank accounts can be bureaucratic to set up but are worth while to pay bills and for any money paid locally.
Foreign currency is difficult to get - you must produce a plane ticket and your passport. (but why bother when you can get local currency where ever you are going).
Very difficult to get money out of the country. Sri Lankan rupees cannot be withdrawn outside the country (in another currency) and moving money out of Sri Lanka is strictly limited. |
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Good health care in Colombo. There are a couple of near international standard hospitals and foreign trained doctors. Medicine and diagnostics are much cheaper than in the west. Doctors are very good but nursing follow-up and in-hospital food and services can be questionable.
Dengue is in the city - some neighbourhoods more than others. Avoid being bitten by mosquitos. |
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Most foreigners send their kids to Overseas School of Colombo(Kindergarten to Grade 12 - International Baccalauriate system), the French School (better for primary grades; secondary is supported correspndance classes), Elizabeth Moir (small school with good standards).
there are many other school but, in my opinion, these are the best.
Pre-school programs available.
Kids are driven to school. |
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private cars rule.
Few foreigners would risk their lives getting on a public bus only to endure the overcramped space.
Three-wheel tuk-tuks buzz all over the country giving taxi service.
Negoitate rate or know how much the rate is and just pay it when you get out.
Taxis are often cheaper that tuk-tuks but have to be ordered by phone and can take 15-20 minutes to arrive. Hotel taxis are flat-rate and much more expensive but readily available. |
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City Description
Healthcare
