Sri Lanka has a higher number of active mobile phones than its entire population, so it came as no surprise to find that there are five mobile phone network service operators. The cost of calls and mobile data is one of the lowest in the world.

TRAVELlers can purchase local Mobile SIM cards at the arrivals terminal of Colombo airport. Having a local number, cheap local calls, a local mobile Internet connection is convenient when booking accommodation, taxis, Ubers and using social media. For the SIM card to work in your UK mobile, your phone has to be one that is “unlocked.”

Most good hotels, guest houses, and restaurants in Sri Lanka provide free Wi-Fi. Internet speeds are good in urban areas. However, in some rural areas the internet can be slow on some of the networks but even then the speeds are usually more than adequate for using email and basic social media.