Sri Lanka is largely a cash economy: 1 EUR ≈ 383 LKR, 1 USD ≈ 330 LKR. ATMs of BOC, Commercial Bank, HNB and Sampath accept foreign cards with a 200–300 LKR fee and 40,000–60,000 LKR limits; always refuse DCC conversion. Exchange cash at airport bank counters and expect a 10% service charge in restaurants.
- Sri Lanka is largely a cash economy outside Colombo and the tourist resorts - tuk-tuks, local restaurants and markets take nothing else.
- ATM withdrawals carry a fixed 200 to 300 LKR fee on a foreign card, with single-withdrawal limits of 40,000 to 60,000 LKR.
- Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion - the rate hides a 5% to 8% markup against you.
- Exchange cash at the official bank counters in the arrivals hall, and note that banks refuse damaged, marked or crumpled foreign notes without exception.
- Restaurants normally add a 10% service charge, and if it is missing, 10% is customary. Porters and drivers expect 100 to 200 LKR.
Money and payments
The currency is the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR), indicatively as of 26 August 2026:
- 1 EUR = about 383 LKR - a bank's selling rate sits a few rupees above the mid-market one.
- 1 USD = about 330 LKR.
ATM withdrawals. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted by most large banks - Bank of Ceylon (BOC), Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Hatton National Bank (HNB) and Sampath Bank.
- Withdrawal fee - nearly all local operators charge a fixed 200 to 300 LKR per foreign-card withdrawal, on top of whatever your home bank charges.
- Single-withdrawal limit - normally 40,000 to 60,000 LKR; selected new ATMs at the largest banks allow up to 150,000 LKR in one go.
- Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion. When the ATM or terminal offers to settle in EUR instead of LKR, choose "Without conversion" / "Charge in local currency" - the DCC rate hides a 5% to 8% markup against you.
Exchanging cash.
- Use the official bank counters in the airport arrivals hall. Safe, with fair rates and minimal spread.
- Avoid street exchanges outside the banking sector: better advertised rates, but rigged arithmetic and theft.
- Banks refuse damaged, marked or crumpled foreign banknotes, without exception.
Contactless payments and tipping. Outside Colombo and the tourist resorts, Sri Lanka is a purely cash economy.
- Cards work at big supermarkets - Keells, Cargills - and international fuel stations.
- Cash is unavoidable for daily life: tuk-tuks, local restaurants, street markets.
- Tipping - restaurants normally add a 10% service charge; if it is missing, 10% is customary. Hotel porters and drivers expect 100 to 200 LKR.
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