Frequently Asked Questions

Q Why are our prices so low?

A We are a small business with direct contacts in Sri Lanka so we don’t have the costs of our larger competitors.

Q Will I have my own room?

A Yes (but you can share if you wish). There are single/double rooms with bathrooms attached.

Q What is the weather like?

A Hot – seldom below 30 degrees in the day-time. January-April is the dry season but there can be showers and periods of rain during the other months.

Q What about communications?

A TV and radio are installed and there is telephone access.

Q What are the languages spoken locally?

A Sinhala and Tamil, but the better educated people know English.

Q As Suryanamaska is in a rural location, how far is the nearest town?

A 20 km to a large town, 8 km to a smaller one but only 1 km to the village centre.

Q What about transport into town?

A Buses are frequent and very cheap, trishaws (auto-rickshaws) can be hired at very reasonable rates.

Q What will I need to wear at school?

A Light-weight trousers or a long skirt, short or long-sleeved shirt and sandals. Shawls and headscarves are optional, though a useful protection against the sun.

Q What is the food like?

A Local food is given – curried vegetables, fish, chicken, eggs, served with rice, noodles and local breads, lots of fruits; a lot of tea is drunk, of course.

Q Will there be snakes?

A Snakes are timid – you are not likely to see one.

Q How about elephants?

A Yes, they can be seen locally in temple processions, working on building sites and bathing in the river. Wild ones are found on safari in the north and east.

Q Where can I go swimming?

A There are pools in Kandy and at close-by Peradeniya University.

Q How about surfing?

A We are in the centre of the Island so it’s about 110 km to the coast, so you can make weekend surfing trips.

Q What are the hours I work doing teaching?

A From 8 am to 2 pm Monday to Friday.

Q Are mosquitoes a problem?

A Not at our location but if you intend to travel in coastal regions, use insect repellent and a mosquito net.

Q Can I drink the tap water?

A Drinking tap water is not recommended but we provide drinking water.

Q What inoculations do I need at the doctor’s before leaving?

A Generally typhoid/diphteria, hepatitis A and tetanus.

Q Do I need a visa in advance?

A No, a 30 day visa is issued at the airport when you arrive. Extensions are obtainable at the dept. of immigration in Colombo.

Q What do air tickets cost?

A Return fares London-Colombo-London start at GBP 500 return (plus taxes). 

Q And how about insurance?

A Our travel agent can also arrange this at a very reasonable cost.

Q Will I need a lot of spending money?

A No, costs in Sri Lanka are low compared with Europe, North America and Australia. GBP 100 a month should be enough. A rail ticket from Kandy to Colombo (110 km) costs about 60 pence. Take travellers cheques and credit cards (Barclaycard Visa is the safest one).