INSIDER ONLY

Ceylon tea, hand-made batik, blue sapphires, and a handful of other things Sri Lanka actually makes well. Here is what is worth buying, where to buy it properly, and what not to waste money on.

Dialog and Mobitel are the two main carriers. A SIM takes 10 minutes and your passport. PickMe replaces taxis. Bottled water is non-negotiable. Here is the complete practical setup for arriving in Sri Lanka.

The practical infrastructure of daily life in Sri Lanka — supermarkets, schools, delivery apps, water, transport — works differently from what most expats expect. Here is what you actually need to know.

The things that take months to understand about Sri Lanka — how time works, how generosity operates, what the head wobble means. A practical guide to the country beneath the surface.

Finding a good rental in Sri Lanka requires local knowledge, patience, and knowing which neighbourhoods actually work for expat life. Here is how to approach it without wasting months or money.

Sri Lanka drives on the left. The roads vary from smooth expressways to genuinely agricultural tracks. Here is what you must know before renting a car — licensing, road conditions, and where not to self-drive.

The Sri Lankan rupee makes the country extraordinarily affordable. ATMs take Visa and Mastercard. Tipping is not customary but is always appreciated. Here is exactly how money works on the ground.