A good network of metalled roads exists in Sri Lanka linking all major owns and tourist destinations. Traffic moves on the left-hand side of the road. Speed limits are 56 km per hr in built up areas for cars and two wheelers and 72 km per hr in the country side. General road and driving information on Sri Lanka is available from the Automobile Association of Ceylon which also sells a guide to Lankan road rules and road signs called The Highway Code.
Three Wheelers
These are available as local transport in Colombo and many provincial towns. They do not have meters so it is best to settle with the driver on the fare before you get on. If you are aware of the distance to your destination a thumb rule for bargaining is at the rate of 15 to 20 rupees per km.
Taxis
Taxis operate in most of Sri Lanka’s main towns but most of them are not metered. Again it is advisable to agree on the cost before commencement of the journey. In Colombo and its suburbs four companies operate radio cabs. These are metered at the rate of Rs. 28 for the first km followed there after by Rs. 24 per additional km. There is no charge for calling these cabs and they can be rented for inter city trips also.
The companies are: Kangaroo Ph. 502888/501502 GNTC 688688 Savoy Comfort 595595 (10 Auto lines). Savoy Comfort also operates in Kandy on 08-233322. Jaguar Cabs: Ph. 074-719696/074-719610. (Price per km for Jaguar Cabs is Rs. 20).
Cars
Cars are available for self-drive and also with drivers. For someone unused to Sri Lankan driving conditions where having to make unexpected manouveres is the rule rather than the exception this option needs to be exercised with some degree of caution. Self-drive cars can be hired for Rs. 30,000 per month or Rs. 2400 per day with a minimum running distance 80 km per day. Extra mileage is charged at Rs. 8 per km.
Chauffer driven cars or coaches are readily available and these are probably the best way to travel in Sri-Lanka, the dual advantages being that the responsibility for the vehicle rests with the driver who also doubles up as a guide. Rates for air conditioned coaches vary with the capacity, make and condition and can range from Rs. 14 to 18 per km per person for mini coaches of 26 passenger capacity going up to Rs. 40 per km per person for coaches with 40 passenger capacity. Non a/c coaches are much cheaper at Rs. 1 to 2 per km per person. The driver has to be paid a daily allowance of Rs. 50 to 80.
Buses
A nation wide network of buses operates in Sri Lanka comprising ‘peoplised’ or worker owned buses referred to as CTB (Ceylon Transport Board) buses, wholly government owned buses and private buses. Public bus transport in Sri Lanka ranks as one of the cheapest in the world. Seats can be booked in advance on the CTB buses but not on private buses. Express bus services run to all major towns. For more Information: Central Transport Board Rh. 581120. Central Bus Station, Olcott Mawatha, Colombo 11 Ph. 328081.
This page: http://www.cockatoo.com/english/srilanka/srilanka_transport.htm
