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How to buy a Sri Lanka SIM card in 2025
A Sri Lanka SIM card offers an affordable way to stay connected on your trip. Learn more about your SIM card options, prices, and requirements.
Landing in a new country with no way of getting online to navigate, message your loved ones, or contact your hotel isn’t the best start to a trip. The good news is you can get a local Sri Lanka SIM card to stay connected.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Sri Lanka SIM cards, including prices and data plans from major providers, where to buy one, and tourist requirements. If you want to be connected even before you land, we’ll also cover a digital solution, a travel eSIM.
Match your eSIM to your vacation
Choose a plan lasting between 1 and 90 days so you never pay for days or data you don't use.
Where to buy a Sri Lanka SIM card?
You have a few options for getting a Sri Lanka SIM card: buy one before your trip, pick one up after you arrive, or choose a digital eSIM for extra convenience and peace of mind.
Each option has pros and cons, and your choice depends on your data needs, coverage preferences, and how quickly you want access to mobile internet in Sri Lanka.
1. Buy a SIM card for Sri Lanka before you travel
Many online third-party retailers offer Sri Lanka SIM cards for tourists. Here’s a table of retailers that deliver travel SIM cards for Sri Lanka to your home address in the UK, US, AUS, and CA.
| Retailers/providers | Countries they ship to |
|---|---|
| TravSIM | Worldwide (includes USA, UK, Australia, Canada) |
| Simify | US, UK, Canada, Australia |
| SimCorner | Many countries, including the UK, the US, Australia, and Canada |
| GStarlink | Australia Post (and other international delivery) |
Travel tip: If you choose this option, order the physical Sri Lanka SIM card well before you travel to leave wiggle room for any potential shipping delays. Familiarize yourself with the registration process, as you’ll be responsible for registering and activating your SIM card.
2. Purchase a Sri Lanka SIM card on arrival
You can purchase a Sri Lankan SIM card once you arrive in the country and choose from a broader range of local providers. You’ll be able to find these SIM cards in the airports, local convenience stores, and electronics stores, including:
- Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB): Dialog Axiata, Mobitel, and Airtel Sri Lanka Counters
- Colombo city outlets: Dialog Iconic Store, Colombo 07 (Union Place), Mobitel Experience Centre, Airtel Store
- Kandy (downtown area)
- Galle (Galle Fort and city area)
- Convenience stores: Keells Supermarkets, Cargills Food City, and Singer
3. Choose a travel eSIM for Sri Lanka
Buying a physical SIM card in a new country involves a registration and activation process that can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, not to mention navigating language barriers. If you want instant data and peace of mind upon arrival, an unlimited data eSIM is a better option.
Why choose an eSIM VS a physical SIM card? To sum it up, here are the main benefits:
- Instant activation via QR codes (maximum five-minute process with no lengthy verification procedures)
- No SIM card swapping
- Access to unlimited data eSIM plans at fixed prices with Holafly
All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone (most modern phones are) to activate an eSIM for Sri Lanka. Avoid hunting down a store or counter as soon as you land, or spending time swapping and activating your new physical SIM card.
Sri Lanka SIM card prices
Due to the currency exchange difference, you can find a Sri Lanka SIM card plan and affordable data packages for less than £1 GBP or $1 USD/CAD/AUD. However, data allowances for such plans are very low.
The higher the data, call, and text allowances, the more expensive the SIM card. Mid-range SIM card packages with 20-30 GB of data cost between RS 1,400 to 1,800 ($£6-7 USD).
Best SIM card for Sri Lanka for tourists
Sri Lanka has three major mobile providers: Dialog, Hutch, and Mobitel. Each provider offers SIM card packages including varying talk, text, and data allowances. You can choose based on your budget, data usage needs, and how long you’ll be staying in Sri Lanka.
Dialog SIM card for Sri Lanka
Dialog offers three specific plans designed for tourists. All plans have 30-day validity periods and include data and talk allowances.
- Tourists Plan 1: 20 GB and voice calls worth RS 174 for RS 1399 (~$4 USD)
- Tourists Plan 2: 30 GB and voice calls worth RS 164 for RS 1799 (~$5 USD)
- Tourists Plan 3: 50 GB and voice calls worth RS 250 for RS 2450 (~$7 USD)
You can grab a Dialog Sri Lank SIM card at the customs desk in the airport’s arrival lobby or visit a Dialog customer experience center or authorized retailer across the island.
Hutch SIM card for Sri Lanka
Hutch offers various prepaid SIM card data plans, called Anytime plans, suitable for tourists and locals. These plans vary in data allowance and validity periods.
Their cheapest plan is 1 GB for 7 days for RS 79 (~$0.25 USD). The plan with the highest data allowance is 21 GB for 30 days for RS 1228 (~$4 USD).
You can buy a Hutch SIM card for Sri Lanka at the Andaranaike International Airport, Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, or Keells supermarkets.
Mobitel SIM card for Sri Lanka
Mobitel (SLT-Mobitel) offers tourist-specific SIM card packages with one 7-day and two 30-day options.
- 7-Day Plan: 15 GB, unlimited local calls, and 1000 SMS for RS 821 (~$3 USD)
- 30-Day Plan 1: 30 GB of mobile data for RS 1540 (~$5 USD)
- 30-Day Plan 2: Unlimited data for RS 5131 (~$16)
You can get a Mobitel Sri Lanka SIM card upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, or Jaffna International Airport.
How to register your Sri Lanka SIM card
If you decide to go for a local physical SIM card in Sri Lanka, you’ll have to abide by specific requirements when registering your SIM card. When purchasing the SIM card in person, a staff member will likely help you. Online SIM card purchases mean you’ll have to figure out the activation process yourself.
Here’s what you will be asked for at the counter, supermarket, or online:
- Valid photo identification and/or passport (and a copy)
- Local contact details
- An unlocked phone (from your home carrier) that supports Sri Lankan frequency bands
- Proof of stay/accommodation (in some cases)
- Working payment method (local currency in cash or a credit/debit card)
While you can access local prepaid plans, providers, and rates, getting a local physical SIM card can still be a hassle, especially after a long flight.
With an eSIM, you can skip the lines, avoid lengthy registration processes and paperwork, and get instantly connected the moment you land.
Say goodbye to plastic SIMs
Our eSIMs can't be damaged, broken, or lost – they're the future for every type of traveler.
Holafly’s eSIM for Sri Lanka: No queues or SIM swapping
A travel eSIM for Sri Lanka from Holafly offers unlimited data and peace of mind on your travels. With an eSIM, you won’t have to swap your SIM out and risk losing it or temporarily lose access to your home number.
Here’s why Holafly’s eSIM plans offer the best value for tourists:
- Unlimited data plans
- 5G network speeds wherever possible
- Instant connectivity and activation via the Holafly app and QR code
- 24/7 customer support
- Flexibility to match your eSIM plan to your trip
- Daily hotspot allowance
- A monthly eSIM subscription option, Holafly Plans, for longer trips
Holafly’s eSIM for Sri Lanka starts at $6.90 USD for a one-day plan; the more days you add to your plan, the cheaper the daily price gets!
An app that gives back
What is the best SIM card for Sri Lanka?
The best SIM card for Sri Lanka is one that fits into your itinerary, data usage, budget, and how much time you’re willing to sacrifice for the registration process. If you don’t want to worry about running out of data or SIM swapping, a travel eSIM for Sri Lanka is a more convenient and stress-free option.
Check out our other SIM card guides on how to buy and what the best options are for:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can buy a SIM card in Sri Lanka’s Bandaranaike International Airport. Providers like Dialog, Mobitel, and Airtel have various retail outlets in the arrival hall.
Yes, foreigners can buy SIM cards in Sri Lanka at airports, convenience stores, and authorized dealers. However, you’ll need to comply with tourist requirements.
Visit a provider kiosk at the airport, retail outlet, or authorized dealer in Sri Lanka and follow the instructions or ask a staff member to help you set up your SIM card.
This depends on your travel data needs, budget, and coverage preferences.
Plans that may interest you
Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!
