COMING HOME BOOKLET - SRI LANKA

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Contents

Title Page

1.0 Before Returning to Sri Lanka 02

Informing friends and family 02

2.0 On Arrival 02

At Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport 02

Currency Exchange 03

Telecommunications 03

Travelling to your hometown 03

Accommodation 04

3.0 After Arrival 04

Important Documentation 04

Healthcare 05

Finances and Banking 07

Finding Employment 07

Education Services 07

Migration Advice 08

4.0 Useful Contact Numbers 08

5.0 Maps 22

1.0 N 09

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2.0 09

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3.0 11

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4.0 14

5.0 22

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1.0 15

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2.0 15

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3.0 17

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4.0 21

5.0 22

Before Returning to Sri Lanka

Informing friends and family

If you wish your family and friends to meet you upon arrival in Sri Lanka, please inform them that the time taken to complete immigration arrival procedures may be longer than usual; it may take several hours to complete the formalities.

On Arrival

At Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport

Upon arriving in Sri Lanka, you will be required to follow the standard procedure for arriving passengers. You must proceed to the immigration border control area, where an official will check your passport or Temporary Travel Document. As a returnee, you may be subject to more detailed questioning than other passengers. You may be questioned by Immigration, the State Intelligence Service the Criminal Investigations Department and the Terrorism Investigation Department. These departments are based in separate offices located within the arrivals area of the airport premises.

If you are held for further questioning, please ask officials to let you speak to your friends or family to inform them that you have arrived but will be delayed. If you are not allowed to contact your friends or family directly, please ask the officials to speak to them on your behalf.

After the relevant departments have completed their enquiries, providing you are not subject to an outstanding arrest warrant, you

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will proceed to the baggage collection and customs area, before entering the main arrivals hall, where friends and family can wait.

Please be aware that it is an offence to have a forged or altered passport or immigration stamps and you may be arrested on arrival if you are believed to be in possession of any such items. Further information on services at the Bandaranaike International Airport can be found on www.airport.lk

Currency exchange

Currency exchange facilities are available within the arrivals hall if you need to change any currency to Sri Lankan rupees. Alternatively, there are also money exchange agencies by the road side and in Colombo city centre.

Telecommunications

The dialling code for Sri Lanka is +94, or 0094, followed by area code (area code is not applicable for mobile numbers).

Sri Lanka has fixed and mobile telecommunication solutions including data usage for your internet connectivity. If you wish to purchase a local mobile telephone SIM card, please lookout for Dialog, Mobitel, Airtel or Hutch customer service points in the arrivals hall. Alternatively, there are shops on the streets from which you may obtain a SIM card.

Travelling to your hometown

It is your responsibility to arrange your onward travel to your hometown (or elsewhere) upon return to Sri Lanka. You may want to ask friends or family to arrange this for you before you arrive.

You will need to travel from the airport to central Colombo in order to take public transport to most towns or villages as Colombo Fort is where you will find the central bus stand and railway station From Colombo, the easiest ways to travel to other areas are by train or bus. The main train station in Colombo is situated in Fort also known as Colombo 01, situated on the main road in the city centre. More information about train times, routes and fares can be found at www.railway.gov.lk or you may call 011 2421281.

The main bus station in Colombo is located in Colombo 1 also known as Colombo Fort or Pettah. For more details on bus routes visit www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_bus_route. Buses travel from Colombo to all major towns and cities across the country. For more information you may call the Central Bus Stand on 011 2329606.

Several highways are now available for a toll. Some express buses now use these highways to reduce the journey time.

Southern Express way E01 (Kottawa - Matara) Colombo Outer Circular Expressway E02 (Kerawalapitiya -

Kottawa) Colombo - Katunayake Expressway E03 (Katunayake

Peliyagoda)

Please refer page 22 for maps.

http://www.airport.lk/http://www.railway.gov.lk/http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_bus_route

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Accommodation

It is your responsibility to arrange accommodation in Sri Lanka. You may want to ask your family and friends to arrange appropriate overnight lodging for you in Colombo, if you intend on staying there before heading to your hometown. Please be aware that it may be late at night when you leave the airport.

The places listed below could be useful to you for short-term accommodation. You will need to contact them in advance to reserve a bed.

Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA )Colombo 7, Rotunda Gardens Colombo 3 011 2328589/ 011 2323498 www.ywcasrilanka.org

Young Mens Christian Association (YMCA) Jaffna Kachcheri Nallur Road Jaffna 021 2222499 www.jaffnaymca.org

Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA) Kandy (ladies hostel) 450/70, Piachaud gardens Kandy 081 2226564

Most local newspapers will have advertisements of places for rent and sale. You could also speak to your family, friends and people in the community for recommendations. A few websites would also have information on apartments and houses for rent or sale.

www.ikman.lk www.lankapropertyweb.com www.lankaland.lk www.hitad.lk

After Arrival

Important Documentation

It is vital to have several types of National documentation when re-settling in Sri Lanka.

a) Birth Certificate If you do not have your original birth certificate you will need to go to the nearest Divisional Secretariat. For more information please contact below.

Colombo Divisional Secretariat Dam Street Colombo 12 011 2434902 www.colombo.ds.gov.lk

b) National Identity Card (NIC) All Sri Lankan nationals need to have a NIC issued by the Department of Registration of Persons. A one-day service is available. For more information please contact below.

Department of Registration of Persons C45, Keppetipola Road Colombo 05 011 2555616 www.drp.gov.lk

c) Passports If you wish to obtain a new passport, renew or report of loss passport, please contact below. One-day services are also available.

file://dclkcmbpos0501/userdata$/r/rsandrasegara/home/desktop%20items/www.ywcasrilanka.orgfile://dclkcmbpos0501/userdata$/r/rsandrasegara/home/desktop%20items/www.jaffnaymca.orghttp://www.ikman.lk/http://www.lankapropertyweb.com/http://www.lankaland.lk/http://www.hitad.lk/http://www.colombo.ds.gov.lk/http://www.drp.gov.lk/

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Department of Immigration and Emigration Head Office 41, Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha Colombo 10 011 5329000 www.immigration.gov.lk Regional Offices 9, Sri Vijaya BuildingRahula Road Matara 041 5412212 42/3, Sangaraja Mawatha Kandy 081 5624470, 081 5624509 JC 23, Outer Circle Road Vavuniya 025 5676344

d) Sri Lankan Driving License Department of Motor Traffic No: 581-341, Elvitigala Mavatha, Narahenpita, Colombo 05 011 2698717 www.motortraffic.gov.lk

Healthcare

Healthcare services in Sri Lanka are available to the public for free of charge in Government hospitals. However, private hospitals also offer medical care for a variety of price ranges. Each District has several Government Hospitals. Some of the main hospitals are detailed below.

Public Hospitals

De Soysa Hospital for Women Colombo 08 011 2696224

Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children Colombo 08 011 2693711

National Eye Hospital Colombo 10 011 2693911 www.nationaleyehospital.health.gov.lk

National Hospital of Sri Lanka E W Perera Mawatha , Colombo 02 011 2693510 www.nationalhospital.lk

Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital Thalapathpitiya, Nugegoda 011 2778610 www.sjghsrilanka.org

http://www.immigration.gov.lk/http://www.motortraffic.gov.lk/file://dclkcmbpos0501/userdata$/r/rsandrasegara/home/desktop%20items/www.nationaleyehospital.health.gov.lkfile://dclkcmbpos0501/userdata$/r/rsandrasegara/home/desktop%20items/www.nationalhospital.lkfile://dclkcmbpos0501/userdata$/r/rsandrasegara/home/desktop%20items/www.sjghsrilanka.org

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Other Institutions

Private Hospitals

Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC No. 181 Kirula Road Narahenpita Colombo 05 011 4523300 www.asirihospitals.com

Asiri Surgical Hospital PLC No. 21 Kirimandala Mawatha Narahenpita Colombo 05 011 4524400 www.asirihospitals.com

Durdans Hospital No. 03 Alfred Place Colombo 03 011 5410000 www.durdans.lk

Lanka Hospitals No. 578 Elvitigala Mawatha Narahenpita Colombo 05 011 5430000 www.lankahospitals.org

Nawaloka Hospital No. 23 Deshamanya H K Dharmadasa Mawatha Colombo 02 011 5577111 www.nawaloka.com

The Central Hospital No.114 Norris Canal Road Colombo 10 011 4665500 www.asirihospitals.com

Shanthiham No. 8/1 Katpaha Vinayagar Lane Off Kachcheri Nallur Road Jaffna 021 2229720

Sri Lanka Sumithrayo No. 60B Horton Place Colombo 07 011 2692909 / 011 2696666 www.srilankasumithrayo.org

Social Services Department No. 150 A 'L.H.P.' Building Nawala Road Nugegoda 011 2825216, 011 2825232 www.socialservices.gov.lk

Women in Need Colombo Crisis Centre No.25 Tickell Road Colombo 08 011 4718585 www.winsl.net

Legal Aid Commission No.129 Hulftsdorp Street Colombo 12 011 5335329, 011 5335281 www.lawaid.org

http://www.asirihospitals.com/http://www.asirihospitals.com/http://www.durdans.lk/http://www.lankahospitals.org/http://www.nawaloka.com/http://www.asirihospitals.com/http://www.srilankasumithrayo.org/http://www.socialservices.gov.lk/http://www.winsl.net/http://www.lawaid.org/

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Finances and Banking

Sri Lankan Rupee (Rs.) is the currency of Sri Lanka. 1 Rs. = 100 cents. There are currency notes in the denominations of rupees 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 and coins in denominations of rupees 1, 2, 5 and 10, cents 50 and 25

A variety of international and local banks are available for your financial services. Banks are generally open from 9.00am to 3.00pm on weekdays and some also from 9.00am to 12.00pm on weekends and holidays. However, ATMs are available 24/7 throughout the year.

Finding Employment

Most employment in the private sector requires you to have basic educational qualifications such as G.C.E O/Ls and G.C.E A/Ls. Employment in the public sector generally requires you to have a degree / diploma from a recognized university.

You may find below websites useful:

www.topjobs.lk www.megajobs.lk www.jobsjobs.lk www.slbfe.lk www.srilankajobs.net Friends and family may also be able to assist you in finding appropriate employment.

You may also consider opening up your own business. If your hometown is in rural area, you may wish to contact the Rural Development Society (RDS) and Womens Rural Development Society (WRDS) for further assistance. Banks can provide advice on the financial aspects of starting your own business. Contact your area head (Grama Niladhari) for more information.

Education Services

a) Children (5-19) Free education is available in public schools. The choice of school will depend on the area where you live, the intellectual capabilities of your child and availability. If you wish your children to attend a private or international school, please contact the school directly for information on the rates of admission and academic fees. (www.education.gov.lk) b) Adult Vocational Training and Higher Studies The Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka has several study options to obtain skills and certifications. (www.vtasl.gov.lk) If you want to pursue higher studies, several options are available including universities, colleges, and private and government institutions. You could speak to your local community, friends or family for advice about your options. c) Language Training If you are returning without knowledge of the local languages, such as Sinhalese or Tamil, you could either get a private tutor from your local community to help you brush up your local language skills or you could attend paid tuition classes. (www.bcis.edu.lk / www.delmege.com/delmege-acadamy)

http://www.topjobs.lk/http://www.megajobs.lk/http://www.jobsjobs.lk/http://www.slbfe.lk/http://www.srilankajobs.net/http://www.education.gov.lk/http://www.vtasl.gov.lk/http://www.bcis.edu.lk/http://www.delmege.com/delmege-acadamy

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Migration Advice

You have returned from the UK as you had no legal right to remain there. If you would like legal advice on immigration in the UK, please visit this website: www.gov.uk/legal-advice-immigration-asylum.

If you would like to speak to someone at the British High Commission in Colombo, please contact the Migration Section.

The British High Commission 389 Bauddhaloka Mawatha Colombo 07 Tel: 011 5390639 Fax: 011 5390694 Email: colombo.general@fco.gov.uk If you would like further information about safe migration and advice, you may contact International Organization for Migration (IOM).

International Organization for Migration (IOM) No. 62, Green Path, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 03 Tel: 011 5325300 Fax: 011 5325301 www.iomsrilanka.org

Useful Contact Numbers

Ambulance Services 011 2437744, 011 2341736 ,

011 2691111

Bandaranaike International Airport 011 2252861

Central Bus Stand Colombo 011 2329606

Directory Enquires 161 International Enquires 134

Fire 011 2422222-3

General Hospital 011 2691111

General Post office 011 2326302, 011 2320722,

011 2448482

Government Information Centre 0 11 2191919 or 1919

Railway Office 011 2421281

http://www.gov.uk/legal-advice-immigration-asylumhttp://www.iomsrilanka.org/

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www.lankahospitals.org 23, . . 02 011 5577111 www.nawaloka.com

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011 2437744, 011 2341736, 011 2691111

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~ 21 ~

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011 2320722, 011 2448482

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Sri Lanka Railway Map/ N /

Sri Lanka Highway Road Map / N /

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NOTES

NOTES

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NOTES

NOTES