Sri Lanka Local Customs

  Kandyan dance
by josephescu
 
  • Kandyan dance
      Kandyan dance
    by josephescu
  • Buddist Temple - Colombo
      Buddist Temple - Colombo
    by PierreZA
  • Mini Monks
      Mini Monks
    by Maxus
  • Carry a Shawl
      Carry a Shawl
    by devat81
  • Lion beer & Benson Hedges
      Lion beer & Benson Hedges
    by josephescu
 
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

A thirst for knowledge

by Maxus

Twice each day in term time (currently 7.30am and 1.30pm) the streets of Sri Lanka throng with white clad children on their way to and from school, it is then that you are reminded of what a young country Sri Lanka is, almost 25% of the population is under 14 and the median age is under 30. (http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/reference/factbook/ce/popula.html.)For all its problems the government appears committed to public education, the vast majority of children attend school encouraged by free uniforms, lunch and bus travel. Literacy rates are among the highest in Asia (almost double those of India) what’s more there is gender and geographical equality in education, as many women as men are literate and the literacy rate is as high in rural areas as it is in the towns.Sinhalese and Tamil children attended different school (they speak a different language). School start and finishing times...

Tip Photo
Budusarani

by Maxus

Buddhism is integral to who the Sinhalese are as a people and they take it very seriously indeed so its important to show some respect when visiting a temple but don’t let this put you off, Buddhism is an open religion, you will be welcome and the locals will not be looking to catch you out and any honest mistakes are politely overlooked. In large temples, which you may visit as part of an organised tour simply follow the crowd and you should be fine, but in a small local temple you will be a point of interest so it’s useful to learn a little etiquette. Don’t enter a temple in beach wear (would you go into a church with your backside hanging out?) Remove your shoes and hat. Walk round the central features in a clockwise direction. Images of the Buddha and Monks are shown the same respect that would be shown to the Buddha himself, so it is important not to deliberately turn your back on...

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strange monks

by Oscar_Nonis

This is so strange photo that I found and I never seen this kind of scence. Usually monks are not having bath like this.I beleive some of young monks when they rest in negombo beach after their travel, some of them decided to have an experience like this.so.. whats wrong with this? they are still kids

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Holy Cow?

by Maxus

Just for the record, cows are not sacred (and definitely not worshiped) in Sri Lanka, even amongst the Hindu minority. The Hindu religion doesn't really run with the notion of sacredness, it’s a Christian concept and arguably takes too much of a positive position for observant Hindus. This doesn’t mean that you can be unduly unpleasant to cows, Hindus appear to ‘respect' the cow as a living being (quite high up the scale of things) and the slaughtering of cows is certainly taboo. The Buddhist majority (who often take their Buddhism with a dash of Hinduism) tend to avoid red meat generally and in particular they do not like to see cows come to any harm but they do not make a song and dance of it. If Buddhists eat meat at all they generally stick to fish and chicken, in forest areas illegal wild pig and venison is sometimes surreptitiously eaten but I have yet to see Sinhalese Buddhist...

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'Sri Lankan Bubble Gum'

by Maxus

Some Sri Lankan men (and very occasionally women) will chew beetle leaf, often with different kinds of nut and other plant extracts including a pink paste which turns the mouth red, it has a mildly narcotic effect. Labourers appear to use it to pass the time away during monotonous tasks and I have been offered beetle at weddings and funerals so in some village areas it seems to be reasonably acceptable (although most of my friends don’t use it at home). It is popular with some Buddhist Monks (who are not supposed to drink alcohol or smoke)Observant Monks do not eat after midday and this stuff suppresses the appetite. I have spent some very mellow evenings chewing beetle with the monks in Sri Lankan Temples.I was told it can be addictive and if you are not used to chewing this stuff it has an effect on the inside of your mouth similar to paint stripper. If you do decide to try it you...

Tip Photo
Time

by alycat

Time is treated quite casually. If you’ve made the two-day journey to Sri Lanka, you undoubtedly want to relax, but Sri Lankans tend to operate more slowly than you probably like. The 2:15 car that is arranged to meet you might arrive at 3 p.m. instead. Your waiter will disappear indefinitely. The worried tourist will either appreciate the lowering of the blood pressure, or burst. Dont fret or fume, its not just you who is on vacation but evrybody else who is serving you, the driver, waiter, hotel staff.So by the end of your SL tour you will learn to be a lot more patient!!

Religious sites

by alycat

The majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhists and speak Singhalese. When at religious and other shrines, some common sense rules—courtesies, really—apply - No shoes in the temples, but socks are okay, which is especially good to know if the pavement’s hot. I was asked to remove my cap when i was at the Temple of Tooth in KandyNo bare legs or other inappropriate attire. Men and women can slip a sarong over shorts or short skirts to achieve the appropriate level of respect upon entering a shrine.You can photograph the statues, but do not to pose with them.

Left - Right

by Maxus

The left hand is considered unclean so you should not use it for handling food (yours or anyone elses). If you have to pass anything else to someone use either your right hand (or both if is something heavy).

Tip Photo
Stilt fishing

by hydronetta

A common attraction mostly photographed in Sri Lanka are stilt fishermen. These are fishermen catching fish while they balance on thin tall stilts. I strongly doubt about the efficiency of catching large fish in a position like that, so close to the shore, but definitely is a major tourist attraction as many foreigners stopped by to make photos. Probably a tip worth more...

Tip Photo
Shoes caretaker

by Sambawalk

Wearing a saddles are the best bet in Sri Lanka as you need to take off your shoes whenever you enter many holy sites, shrines, or temples and even dagoba. I suggest you bring along a plastic bag where you can put your shoes in and carry along with you. If not, just give small tip to thw shoe car taker or custodian who will secure your shoes.

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Local traditions and culture in Sri Lanka

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Local Customs: Cities in Sri Lanka
  1. Colombo Local Customs
  2. Kandy Local Customs
  3. Negombo Local Customs
  4. Nuwara Eliya Local Customs
  5. Galle Local Customs
  6. Unawatuna Local Customs
  7. Anuradhapura Local Customs
  8. Sri Lanka Local Customs
  9. Polonnaruwa Local Customs
  10. Sigiriya Local Customs
  11. Dambulla Local Customs
  12. Beruwala Local Customs
  13. Wadduwa Local Customs
  14. Kataragama Local Customs
  15. Induruwa Local Customs

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Popular Regions in Sri Lanka

Western Province Local Customs  Southern Province Local Customs  Central Province Local Customs  North Central Province Local Customs  North Eastern Province Local Customs  Province of Uva Local Customs  Province of Sabaragamuwa Local Customs  North Western Province Local Customs 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Thinking of traveling to Sri Lanka in the end of March for 3 weeks. I will go with my 6 yr old. Will take Medical precoushns bu... 

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A: Any special reasons why you want to stay in Colombo for 3 days. Everywhere in Sri Lanka is child friendly, but as you want to end up in Trinco (and spend part of your... 

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