1. Help Centre
  2. Sri Lanka Travel Information

Customer Health and Safety (Sri Lanka)

At Wendy Wu Tours we are continually working with our suppliers to maintain and improve safety standards by seeking good practice in health and safety and we will do our best to ensure that your holiday is safe and trouble free. Part of the enjoyment of travelling abroad is experiencing a different way of life and culture, but it may also mean experiencing different safety and hygiene standards than those you are used to at home. We want you to have an enjoyable holiday so we ask that you take extra care, use your common sense as well as refer to notices and follow the advice from your National Escort and/or Local Guide.

We are continually working with our accommodation and transport providers to endeavour to raise safety standards as much as possible and we will do our best to ensure that your holiday is safe and trouble free, but we do ask that you take that little bit of extra care whilst you are away.

Emergency numbers

Fire and rescue: 110

Medical emergencies: 110

Police: 118 or 119

Flight safety

• Do not place flammable liquids, lighters, matches, gasses or aerosols in your suitcase

• Always carry medication in your hand luggage

• Keep your passport safe and have a photocopy with you just in case

 • Pay attention and follow any in flight safety information

• To avoid DVT, drink plenty of water and follow simple exercises or occasionally move around the cabin

Transport safety

• In vehicles always wear a seat belt if one is provided –though it is not compulsory in  Sri Lanka  to do so. We cannot guarantee that vehicles will be fitted with seat belts

• In minibuses never place luggage in the aisles or footwells

• Ensure you know where your nearest emergency exit is.

• Check the location of the fire extinguisher, first aid kit and break glass hammer

• Follow any safety instructions provided by your driver/guide

Road safety

• Car hire is not recommended in most areas

•  Take care crossings as vehicles do not automatically stop 
• Often paving can be uneven and loose with kerbs higher than you are used to. Please take more care walking around cities and resort areas

• Crash helmets are often not provided with mopeds and motorbikes – we do not recommend you hire these vehicles

Fire safety

• Ensure you know the location of your nearest fire exit

• Check the location of the nearest fire extinguisher

• Study the fire instructions in your room

• Identify how to raise the alarm if a fire occurs

• Do not smoke in bed

• If a fire occurs, leave immediately, do not stop to collect your belongings

• Proceed to an assembly point well away from the building

Balcony safety

• Never lean over, sit or climb on the balcony

• Families with small children should request ground floor rooms whenever possible

• Do not climb or stand on balcony furniture

• Keep all balcony furniture away from the wall/railings

Pool safety

• Familiarise yourself with the pool and its layout, deep and shallow end

• Make note of the depth markings and any hazards

• Most pools do not have life guards, so please take care

• Shower before entering the pool

• Do not swim, if suffering from an upset stomach

• Observe pool rules and information signs at all times

• Do not swim at night, even if it is lit

• Do not swim immediately after a meal or when drinking alcohol

• Pool surrounds can be slippery, don’t run around them

• Observe No Diving signs at all times

• Never jump or dive from raised pool features

• In the event of an emergency ensure you know how to raise help

Food safety

In order to avoid the possibility of stomach upsets:

• Make sure your food has been thoroughly cooked

• Ensure that serving utensils are used during each meal

• Hot food should be hot, cold food should be cold

• Avoid any uncooked food, except fruit and vegetables,(notably those you can peel or shell yourself)

• Always drink bottled water and ensure the seal is intact when purchasing

• Use boiled or bottled water for brushing your teeth

• Avoid ice in drinks as this is generally made from unsafe tap water

• Avoid purchasing food from street vendors, we cannot vouch for the health and safety of the food and drinks they provide

Personal safety

• Avoid walking in poorly lit areas

• Be aware, stay away from situations where you do not feel comfortable

• Avoid carrying too much money and/or valuables

• Use of a money belt is encouraged at all times

• Ensure your room is left secure when you go out

• Place all valuables in a safety deposit box, where available or with reception (use of these are often a condition of your insurance policy)

• Never leave windows or balcony doors open

• Ensure your main luggage can be locked when left unattended in rooms, carriages, luggage rooms etc.

• Do not take any valuable jewellery on holiday with you

Sun care

• Ensure you have adequate protection for your type of skin, high factor sunscreens should be        utilised initially

• Re-apply sunscreen frequently

• Stay out of the sun during the hottest time of the day

• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration

• At the first sign of burning, cover up and get out of the sun

• Beware, you can still burn, dehydrate and get sunstroke in the shade or in the water.

• Take a sunhat, sunglasses and lip salve

Insurance

• Ensure you have appropriate insurance for your holiday and that it covers any activity you intend to undertake

• If participating in any high risk activity, appraise yourself of the safety standards being operated by the supplier

• Avoid purchasing activities or excursions from anyone not connected to Wendy Wu Tours they often lack public liability insurance and have unchecked safety standards

• Any accident or injury should be reported immediately to the National Escort or Tour Guide and a report obtained

Altitude sickness

• High altitudes on some tours can affect customers. Please see your Tour Dossier, which will indicate if altitude is relevant to your tour

• AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) can affect people at altitudes above 3000m

• Symptoms include, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, breathlessness or headache

• They usually develop in the first 36hrs and not immediately on arrival

• The symptoms can affect people of all ages and level of fitness

• Symptoms will usually subside on their own after 24/48hrs, if they persist you should consult a doctor

• Drink lots of water and/or non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drinks

• Avoid any exertion over 3000m

• Our overnight accommodation is generally 100m below the highest level reached in the day, another effective method for combating

Online information

For the latest Health & Safety information for travellers visit www.smartraveller.gov.au or www.safetravel.govt.nz