Sri Lanka SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know | 2023

Visiting Sri Lanka soon?Make sure you know what to expect when you buy Sri Lanka SIM card.

Fortunately, Asia is one of the best places where you can easily buy a SIM card. You should be able to find cheap SIM cards almost anywhere in Asia.

The fact that most data packages are affordable makes the whole thing easier!

In this guide we will explain where to buy SIM cards in Sri Lanka both in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your phone supports them.

Before reading this guide, you might be wondering if you really need a SIM card in Sri Lanka. If you don’t mind not having internet, you can probably find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

That said, if you need data to get around, hail a taxi or translate Sinhala or Tamil – you may need to buy a SIM card for your trip in Sri Lanka.

Best SIM Cards for Sri Lanka

If you are traveling in Sri Lanka, we recommend you use a SIM card from Dialog, Mobitel, Airtel or Airalo. (I’ll come back to Airalo later, so read on to find out more!)

That said, if you plan to visit other countries while traveling in Asia, you may want to make sure to select an option that offers coverage in other Asian countries.

How to buy a SIM card in Sri Lanka

You can buy a Sri Lanka prepaid SIM card at some international airports, in mobile operator stores, convenience stores or online.

You can usually get higher fees and lower data allowances at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find a SIM card shop at every airport, so keep that in mind. And, when you see a store, your options may be limited as well.

Therefore, I recommend buying a SIM card directly from your mobile provider’s store. Note that you may need a passport to make a purchase.

Although, this means you won’t get the data immediately upon arrival. So, if you want to stay connected at all times, you can use an eSIM or buy an Asian prepaid SIM card online.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Dialog, Mobitel and Airtel.

Conversational SIM

Dialog offers a travel program that includes:

• 10 GB data
• 1,299 rupees ($3.54)

mobile phone sim card

Mobitel also offers prepaid travel plans:

• unlimited data
• Free international calls to your country
• 999 rupees ($2.72)

As you can see, it’s cheaper than Dialog and also offers unlimited data.

Airtel SIM card

Airtel offers two main SIM-only plans for tourists:

• 30 GB, 30 days, LKR 749 ($2.04) – unlimited social media
• 30 GB, 30 days, INR 515 ($1.40)

Overall, we think Mobitel is the best option if you’re planning to buy a SIM card yourself. That said, if you can’t find their store, anyone can!

How to Buy Sri Lanka Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you want to have your SIM card ready when you arrive, you can buy one online or on sites like Amazon.

You’ll find different plans on Amazon. For example, OneSimCard works in over 200 countries and gives you data for $0.01 per MB. including Sri Lanka.

But there are many other options worth considering, so check it out and be sure to list the countries you plan to visit.

Browse your selection on Amazon

Another option is to buy a prepaid Asian SIM card on Simify. This works great if you live in the US or Australia.

They currently offer 3 different packages covering Sri Lanka:

• 6 GB, valid for 12 days, for $25 – available in 13 countries
• 6 GB, valid for 15 days, for $40 – available in 18 countries
• 10 GB valid for 30 days for $29 – available in 13 countries

Browse your options on Simify

Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Sri Lanka or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Asia.

How to Buy an eSIM Card for Sri Lanka

eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card in your phone. If your phone supports eSIM – this is definitely one of the best options for getting data in Sri Lanka.

curious? Learn more about eSIM at eSIM Roamers.

I started using eSIM when my phone supported it. The first time I tried it was while visiting my family in Canada. To buy an eSIM, I usually use Airalo.

Read on to find out more about the best eSIMs for Sri Lanka.

hello sri lanka

If you want to buy an eSIM for Sri Lanka, you can do so on Airalo. The site offers many global eSIM cards as well as regional plans for Asia and Sri Lanka.

I’ve been using Airalo for a few months and it works great.

The following options are available:

• Mitura: 1 GB, valid for 7 days, $7
• Mitura: 3 GB, valid for 30 days, $15

Alternatively, you can try Discover Global, which covers 84 countries, including Sri Lanka.

Here is an overview of the options available on Discover Global:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days, $9
• 3 GB, valid for 15 days, for $24
• 5 GB for 30 days for $35
• 10 GB, valid for 60 days, $59
• 20 GB valid for 180 days for $89

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you need to keep an eye out for providers in each country. Let’s say you can’t connect to the Internet while traveling.

In this case, it may be because you are automatically connected to the network and need to manually select the network.

When you purchase an eSIM, you will have access to a list of supported networks in each country.

go to aeroro

Holafly Sri Lanka

Alternatively, you can view your selections on Holafly. You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here is an overview of their plans for Sri Lanka:

• Unlimited data valid for 5 days for only $19
• Unlimited data for 10 days for $34
• Unlimited data for 15 days for only $47
• Unlimited data for 20 days for $57
• Unlimited data for 30 days for $69
• Unlimited data, valid for 60 days, $87
• Unlimited data, valid for 90 days, $99

walk into good fly

nomadic sri lanka

Finally, Nomad is also an excellent eSIM provider.

Below is an overview of the programs available in Sri Lanka:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days, $20
• 2GB, valid for 30 days, $48
• 3GB, valid for 30 days, $54

Nomad also owns APAC, an eSIM program for Asia. The plan covers Sri Lanka.

Here’s an overview:

• 1GB, valid for 7 days, $6
• 3GB, valid for 30 days, $15
• 5GB, valid for 30 days, $17
• 10GB, valid for 30 days, $50
• 20GB valid for 30 days for $69

go nomads

Final Thoughts on Sri Lanka SIM Cards

As you can see, buying a prepaid SIM card in Sri Lanka and even buying an eSIM card when traveling in Sri Lanka is very easy.

You can even stay connected anywhere in Asia without changing your SIM, especially if you buy an Asian eSIM.

If you want data upon arrival, I believe an eSIM is the easiest way to get data in Sri Lanka.

This way, you don’t need to go to the store to buy a SIM card.

Obviously, you need to make sure your phone supports eSIM first.

Heading to Sri Lanka soon? Read one of the following blog posts: