Schedule & Booking

1. විහාරය දහවල් කී වෙනකොට වහනවාද?

   Wi-hā-ra-ya da-ha-wal kī we-na-ko-ta wa-ha-na-wā-da?

   What time does the temple close in the afternoon?

   Usage

   Used to check the afternoon closing time of a Buddhist temple

   Grammar Note

   "Kee" means "how many/what". Most temples are open during the day but may close early in the afternoon.

2. පොහොය දවසේ කඩ වහනවා ද?

   Po-ho-ya da-wa-sē ka-ḍa wa-ha-na-wā da?

   Are shops closed on Poya (full moon) day?

   Usage

   Used to ask about shop closures on Poya day, Sri Lanka's monthly Buddhist holiday

   Grammar Note

   Poya (full moon) is a monthly public holiday; alcohol sales are banned and many shops close. The word for shops is "kaḍa" — "dukān", which stood here before, is Urdu written in Sinhala script.

3. ට්‍රේන් කීයෙ යනවාද?

   Trēn kī-ye ya-na-wā-da?

   What time does the train depart?

   Usage

   Used to ask about train departure times. Sri Lankan trains are famous for scenic routes

   Grammar Note

   The Kandy-Ella train is rated among the world's most scenic rail journeys. Expect delays — plan loose connections.

4. බස් පිටත් වෙන කාල සටහන ඕනෑ

   Bas pi-tath we-na kā-la sa-ta-han ō-nǣ

   I need the bus timetable

   Usage

   Used at bus stations or tourist offices to ask for a bus timetable

   Grammar Note

   "Ōnǣ" expresses need/want. Sri Lanka has extensive bus networks but schedules are often approximate — buses run roughly on time.

5. ආසනය කලින් වෙන් කරන්න පුළුවන්ද?

   Ā-sa-na-ya ka-lin ven ka-ran-na pu-lu-wan-da?

   Can I reserve a seat in advance?

   Usage

   Used to ask about advance seat reservation for trains or buses

   Grammar Note

   Intercity Express trains in Sri Lanka allow advance booking. Book early in peak season. Reservations can be done in English.

6. ඊළඟ ෆෙරිය කී වෙනකොට ද?

   Ī-la-ṅa fe-ri-ya kī we-na-ko-ta da?

   What time is the next ferry?

   Usage

   Used to check ferry times for island trips or coastal routes in Sri Lanka

   Grammar Note

   "Feri" is borrowed from English "ferry". Ferry services operate along Sri Lanka's southern and northern coasts.

7. වෙන් කිරීමක් අවශ්‍ය ද?

   Wen ki-rī-mak a-wash-ya da?

   Is a reservation required?

   Usage

   Used to ask if a reservation is required at a restaurant or tourist attraction

   Grammar Note

   "Awashya" (necessary) is from Sanskrit; "da" makes it a question. A reservation is "wen kirīma" — note that "āwaraṇaya", which stood here before, means coverage/protection, not a booking.

8. හෙට රිසර්වේශන් කරනවාද?

   He-ta ri-sar-wē-shan ka-ra-na-wā-da?

   Can I make a reservation for tomorrow?

   Usage

   Used to book a safari, tour, or restaurant for the following day

   Grammar Note

   "Riservéshan" is the English loanword "reservation". English is also widely understood in tourist contexts.

9. සිංහල අලුත් අවුරුද්ද කවදාද?

   Sin-ha-la a-luth a-wu-rud-da ka-va-dā-da?

   When is Avurudu (Sinhala New Year)?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the date of Avurudu, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration

   Grammar Note

   Avurudu (April 13-14) is Sri Lanka's Sinhala and Tamil New Year. The biggest national holiday — transport and shops close.

10. ගුවන් යානය පිටත් වෙන්නේ කවදාද?

    Gu-wan yā-na-ya pi-ṭath ven-nē ka-va-dā-da?

    When does the plane depart?

    Usage

    Used at airports or travel agencies to confirm flight departure time

    Grammar Note

    "Piṭat venavā" = to depart. The question word "kavadāda" triggers the focus form "vennē". Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the main international gateway. Domestic airports include Mattala and Jaffna.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages