Indulgences

1. බුලත්

   bulath

   Betel leaf

   Usage

   Heart-shaped leaves sold in bundles at markets. Used both for chewing and as a formal gift at greetings and weddings

2. පුවක්

   puvak

   Areca nut

   Usage

   ⚠ Chewing areca nut carries a well-known risk of oral cancer. This card is to identify what is on sale, not a recommendation to try it

3. බුලත් විට

   bulath viṭa

   Betel quid

   Usage

   ⚠ Betel leaf wrapped around areca, slaked lime and tobacco; a stimulant, psychoactive preparation. It carries a high risk of oral cancer and stains mouth and spittle red. Learn the name to recognise it, not to try it

4. දුම්කොළ

   dumkoḷa

   Tobacco

   Usage

   ⚠ The general word for tobacco. Under the 2006 national authority act, sale to anyone under 21 is prohibited and health warnings on packs are mandatory

5. සිගරට්

   sigaraṭ

   Cigarette

   Usage

   ⚠ Smoking is banned by law in public places — offices, banks, hospitals, schools, places of worship, hotels, eateries, airports, stations, bus stands. Only designated areas in larger hotels and restaurants are exempt

6. අරක්කු

   arakku

   Arrack (palm-based distilled spirit)

   Usage

   The country's signature spirit. Sale to under-21s is prohibited by law, and liquor shops close on full-moon (Poya) holidays — buy the day before

7. බියර්

   biyar

   Beer

   Usage

   Sold at liquor shops and licensed venues. Not to be sold to under-21s. Drink it indoors or at your hotel rather than in the street

8. රා

   rā

   Toddy (fermented palm sap)

   Usage

   Fermented sap of coconut or kitul palms, sold at licensed taverns; a splash of it is also used to ferment hopper batter. ⚠ Avoid home-brewed toddy from unlicensed sellers

Browse all TravelPhrases languages