Commercial vehicles are required to have at minimum a

1. 3rd Party
2. Private Insurance
3. Hiring Insurance – Commercial transport of passengers / cargo. Required for Taxi, Tourist Cars, Goods Transport Vehicles running with drivers.
4. Rent a car Insurance – Legally required for self drive hire of vehicles, or vehicles given for use/driven by 3rd parties

Whenever possible, it is recommended that you carefully assess the insurance cover provided to passengers/ renters to determine how well you are protected. It is also imperative to ascertain if your own insurance policy could be invalidated by travelling in an uninsured vehicle.

If you happen to be in a car accident while travelling in a taxi or Rideshare vehicle, it is important to establish if the vehicle & it’s passengers are covered by a valid insurance policy and to what degree you will be compensated. While nobody anticipates being in accidents and however minor your injury may be, it is an enormous inconvenience to worry about paying for hospitals in the absence of insurance.

Nobody really needs the hassle of worrying about medical bills while they are on holiday. Doing your research to know more about insurance before taking a cab or renting a car can truly help. So check before you rent and enjoy your peace of mind!

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The first thing to establish would be that it is indeed very safe to drive in Sri Lanka. You’ll find a good number of reliable car rental companies where you could hire a vehicle with or without a driver. If you do choose to drive, you will need a valid permit but the good news is that reputed car rental companies such as Malkey Rent A Car would be happy to sort this out for you.

Sri Lankan roads are mostly found to be in excellent condition with clearly marked road signs and a number of expressways connecting key towns to the business capital of Colombo. Your GPS tracker or navigation system will work smoothly here and guide you wherever you wish to gol. Speak to your car rental company about hiring Sat Nav units for extra assistance on your travels.

Traffic conditions may vary depending on the route and time of day, especially between Colombo and the main suburbs. You may experience the occasional speeding bus but avoiding the rush hour will mostly keep you away from these oncoming buses. Traffic will ease as you head out of the city and you’ll experience many scenic routes with views of green paddy fields to ocean drives and lush greenery during your stay.

Driving at night in Sri Lanka is perfectly safe with very low crime rates around the country. Roads are well lit and you’ll find that most Sri Lankans are helpful and hospitable should you ever need assistance. Animal crossings areas are usually marked on main roads as are any other common road hazards. We would however recommend that you avoid roads with elephant crossings at night and also in the highlands where late evening fog can impede road visibility.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful experience whatever your chosen mode of transportation may be. But for those wondering about the safety of driving in Sri Lanka, we hope you can rest assured that driving in sri lanka will be a safe and pleasurable adventure.

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What Can You Expect?

True to local culture, most Sri Lankan Yoga retreats maintain a relaxed atmosphere and offer plenty of flexibility in terms of intensity and duration. Most instructors will be happy to work with each individual to create a plan that works for all levels of expertise, from beginners to more advanced experiences. All types of yoga are available in Sri Lanka, from Vinyasa to Pranayama, Hatha Yoga to Yin Yoga, Kundalini to Kriya. These sessions are available for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels.

Combined Experiences

The beauty of most Sri Lankan Yoga retreats is that they combine yoga with other local activities depending on the area. Locations in Southern Sri Lanka will often offer surfing lessons along with Yoga lessons. Ayurvedic therapy, meal guidance, cooking lessons and meditation are some valuable experiences commonly offered alongside Yoga in Sri Lanka.

Where to go

If you are looking for a Yoga experience that also brings you closer to the ocean, we recommend choosing a retreat in the South of Sri Lanka. The Talalla Retreat is a popular choice offering luxury accommodation and a premium Yoga and fitness experience.

The Salty Pelican Yoga & Surf Retreat in Hiriketiya provides a stunning location for Yoga and surfing on one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka.

The Polwaththa Retreat in Kandy is a location hidden away in the mountains and offers a jungle Yoga experience along with activities such as reforestation and cooking classes.

The Prana Lounge in Colombo is equally popular if you are looking for a Yoga experience closer to the city. They offer Yoga sessions with highly qualified instructors as well as other wellness experiences and even teacher training for those with aspirations of becoming instructors themselves.

If you are interested in Yoga, regardless of your level of practise, Yoga in Sri Lanka will provide you with many opportunities to learn and expand your skill.

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In addition to the list of personal precautions of wearing masks, refraining from touching your nose and mouth and washing your hands with soap or a sanitizer, here’s a list of precautions that you should follow when you are travelling in a rented vehicle;

• Always check for the vehicle sanitization policy and procedures followed by your chosen rental company
• Be sure to wear a mask covering your nose and mouth at all times and make sure your driver is wearing a mask as well
• Wear gloves if you are very health-conscious
• Remember to take disinfectant wipes and sprays with you. Wipe down the door handles, windows, and other frequently touched areas of the vehicle as soon as you enter
• Keep your hand folded on your lap and touch as little surfaces as possible inside the vehicle
• Travel with the windows down and air vents open if possible. The improved ventilation helps to keep fresh air circulating and displaces any potentially infectious airborne particles
• Try to avoid cash payments and make use of online transactions via your mobile phone
• Be seated in the rear seat, if not driving
• Wipe down any surfaces you may have touched for the safety of future passengers

As a Level 1 Certified operator Malkey, ensures a trusted journey for all their travelers by adhering to the health guidelines provided by the Government health authorities. They have taken steps to further ensure the safety of their clients by introducing a Sanitizing and Cleaning machine especially designed to eliminate Fungi, Bacteria and Viruses – including COVID-19 from vehicle interiors. Talk to Malkey Rent-A-Car to find out more on how they keep you safe.

All options considered, renting your own vehicle on your trip to Sri Lanka is still the safest option as explained in our post. Just make sure you are choosing the right car rental company to minimize health risks.

The post Post-Covid Travel: Ensure Your Safety When Traveling in A Rented Vehicle appeared first on Driving in Sri Lanka.

There are a few reasons you should consider getting a car seat during your stay in Sri Lanka, such as: your child’s sense of familiarity of a car-seat when travelling, the uneven nature of the roads and most importantly it is safer, which gives you peace of mind. One could always wear their seatbelts and sit back; keeping in mind that seatbelts have to be worn by passengers as per the law of Sri Lanka. A fine will be charged if one fails to comply.

If you have brought a car seat with you, it can be used within the island. However, if you do not have one, you could buy one from the many vendors in Colombo and main cities, or rent one from a private vendor or owner. Getting this done earlier is recommended as looking for car seats upon landing may not be convenient. It’s important to check with your car rental company if they do provide this service.

If you are renting a vehicle for the duration of your travels, it is also imperative to confirm Air Bag Safety and also if the vehicle you are renting allows for 3 point or at least 2 point seat belt protection. Renting a car from a reputed company like Malkey, will give you access to Car Seats and assurances of all the safety measures to keep you and your kids safe.

A great way to keep kids relaxed and enjoying their travels in addition to great transport, is a variety of snacks. Driving down the streets of Sri Lanka, you will have the choice of the freshest produce the island has to offer. You and your child can cool down by drinking a freshly plucked “Thambili”- juice of a golden king coconut with many health benefits. Sweet snacks like“Boondi” and “Bombaimutai” or“Vadei” a savory donut of sorts will have them happily munching their way through the trip.

Sri Lankans in general are very friendly and are always ready to lend a hand, so feel free to speak to your travel agents for details. You’ll soon find that Sri Lanka is one of the safest places to travel with children and enjoy your peace of mind.

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Wondering if it’s safe to visit Sri Lanka? As Sri Lanka recovers from COVID, strategic measures have been taken to curb the spread of the virus across the island. Over the last year, the Sri Lankan government and health authorities have done an exemplary job of isolating affected areas and running an efficient network of quarantine and treatment centers island wide. Nearly a million Sri Lankans have already received their first shot of the AstraZeneca Vaccine and are on the road to being inoculated against Coronavirus.

As the world opens up and travel becomes a possibility at long last, Sri Lanka opens up her doors to paradise and welcomes visitors while ensuring the highest levels of protection from COVID in place. You will find a comprehensive guide to travelling into Sri Lanka at the Sri Lanka Tourism website.

Quarantine Policy:
The Sri Lankan quarantine policies for international travellers may be updated from time to time. Therefore we encourage you to check the Travelling to Sri Lanka section in the Sri Lanka Tourism website for the most recent update.

Transportation:
For transportation and hotel transfers the government only allows Level 1 Certified Operators such as Malkey Rent-A-Car to transport tourists. This includes special clearance for drivers and tour guides as well as the highest standards of sanitization of vehicles. Public transportation is not allowed for tourists and groups are required to travel in a bubble to minimize risk.

Hotels:
Hotels that have been cleared for Level 1 Certification are allowed to provide accommodation while adhering to guidelines provided by the health authorities with regards to maximum occupancy and sanitization standards. Check here for a full list of approved hotels.

General Guidelines:
Visitors are urged to adhere to global COVID prevention guidelines at all times. Including wearing a mask in public places and during travel (unless traveling in a private vehicle) with a driver, taxis or in Rideshares. Frequent washing and sanitizing of hands is recommended and also maintaining a 1 meter distance from other travelers.

So wonder no more, check the above information and find out for yourself if it is indeed safe to visit Sri Lanka in 2021.

The post Is it Safe to Visit Sri Lanka Under COVID Restrictions? appeared first on Driving in Sri Lanka.

1. Coronavirus, of course. Travellers are encouraged to avoid public transportation to stay safe from the transmission of COVID. While buses and trains have restricted the number of passengers, rush hour still brings a throng of commuters making social distancing a futile exercise. Ride Shares and Taxis can be equally unsanitary with passengers of all hygiene standards popping in and out
2. Renting a car can prove more economical when you’ve got a lot of stops and starts. Taking taxis or public transportation for frequent trips will pile up in costs compared to renting a vehicle that is suited for your budget and your travel plan. You may be able to rent a car for as low as $10 per day and have the freedom of moving about as you wish.
3. Your rented car will come with safety features, navigation & roadside assistance while most public modes of travel will be lacking basic safety measures such as seatbelts & airbags
4. Rideshare and taxis run on 3rd party insurance cover. While they most definitely will not cover you as a passenger there is also the risk that an incident in a rideshare may even invalidate your own insurance cover.
5. Because you will enjoy having your own vehicle more! Save time and avoid inconveniences while enjoying the privacy and freedom of controlling your own itinerary.

Plan ahead for your trip to Sri Lanka. Evaluate all your options for moving about in Sri Lanka. And if you do decide to rent, choose a reputed car rental company that will offer you a safe and reliable service.

The post 5 Reasons To Rent A Car in Sri Lanka & Avoid Public Transportation appeared first on Driving in Sri Lanka.

What is Ayurveda?

The fundamental basis of ayurvedic treatment is to systematically collect all the toxins in the body and then to expel them effectively and as such, those who opt for ayurvedic treatment in Sri Lanka can expect a rejuvenating experience that will replenish their bodies. Ayurvedic treatment in Sri Lanka includes a wide variety of therapies depending on the need and includes the traditional abhyanga body massage for relaxation and blood circulation, the Ayurveda head oil application ideal for migraine headaches, stress relief, a renewed complexion and hair loss, Ayurveda facial and nasal treatments, herbal baths and steam baths among many others.

Where Can I Get Ayurvedic Treatment?

Among some of the most popular resorts offering ayurvedic treatment in Sri Lanka are Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions, Negombo, Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort, Wadduwa, Talalla Retreat, Gandara, and the Ulpotha Yoga and Ayurveda Retreat Centre. For those seeking a more urbane and sophisticated Ayurvedic experience, there are many spas in Colombo, including Spa Ceylon, a local chain bearing the hallmark of luxury Ayurveda.

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