Beware Of Scams And Pickpockets

Scammers are busy around Galle Fort, Kandy, and Colombo's Galle Face Green, looking to defraud or entice tourists. Never buy gems on the street – they're almost definitely fakes made of colored glass – and be wary of any shop seeking to sell you jewels to'sell at a profit back home.' Rather than trusting middlemen, obtain information from official tourist offices and directly from operators.

When traveling by train or bus, particularly when touring congested locations like Colombo's Pettah market district, keep your money and valuables hidden. Tuk-tuk drivers have a reputation of overcharging visitors; ask them to use the meter (and get another tuk-tuk if they refuse), or use Uber or the local app PickMe to get a ride. This is one of the things about Sri Lanka you should know before travelling.