Meeting and Greeting Etiquette

While you won't be required to be aware of these variations as a foreigner, typical greetings vary depending on the ethnic group that a person belongs to. The following list summarizes the prevalent greetings in Sri Lanka: The "namaste" is used by Sri Lankans of older generations (palms clasped together as if in prayer at chin level with a slight nod of the head). Tamils would say "vanakkam," whereas Sinhalese may say "ayubowan" (may you be granted a long life). (May you enjoy a long and healthy life)

You might also hear "kuhomadu" (How are you?) in casual contexts. The younger individuals typically extend a handshake. Always wait to see whether a woman extends her hand to you because many Sri Lankan women would avoid making physical contact with a man who is not a member of their family. Always use the right title, followed by the surname, when addressing someone. Wait for the other person to introduce themselves using their first name.