What is the voltage type in Sri Lanka?
The voltage is Sri Lanka is 220/ 240 volts
What type of plug/s can I use?
Sri Lankan hotels have two types of plug bases; either the UK (Type G) or India (Type D).
| Plug type | Pins | Amps | Plug base compatibility |
| UK (Type G) | 3 rectangular pins | 13 Amps | Accepts Type C (by tricking Earth socket). Need an adapter to accept Type D |
| Euro plug (Type C) | 2 round pins | 5 Amps | Compatible with Type G and Type D (by tricking Earth socket). |
| India (Type D) | 3 round pins* | 5 Amps | Accepts Type C (by tricking Earth socket). Need an adapter to accept Type G |
*Do not confuse with the larger 15 Amp plug which is used for ‘heavy duty’ appliances like air-conditioners, and microwave ovens.
If you have a rectangular plug (UK – Type G) and the hotel base is round pin (India – Type D) or vice versa, just ask the reception to send you an adapter, which will solve the problem. Alternately, adapters are freely available in supermarkets/ hardware shops.
If you have a Euro plug (Type C), you can stick a pen into the Earth socket (either UK Type G or India Type D) to open the shutters and insert the plug; do not forget to switch off the power before you do this!
The Type I plug (two slanted pins) used in countries such as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and parts of China is not compatible with Sri Lankan plug base and need an adapter. Its better you bring a ‘Universal Adapter’ if you have this type of plug, as it will be difficult to find adapters for Type I plugs in the local hardware shops.
A word of caution; do not insert a 110V – 120V appliance (E.g. hairdryer) into a Sri Lankan 240V plug base, you might find it catching fire in your hands!
