Colombo - Post Report Question and Answers
Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Use a local provider. Dialog seems to be the most popular and your best bet. - Mar 2021
I brought my unlocked phone from my last post and bought a pre-paid SIM card at the airport when I arrived in Sri Lanka. Local plans are cheap and you can pay by the minute or the month for data. - Sep 2020
I have a US phone number through Google FI and a local SIM card (Dialog) on the same phone. It might not be the most elegant or economical approach, but it works well to ensure that I can make/receive local calls and also receive two-factor authentication passcodes that are sent to my US phone number. - Apr 2020
We brought unlocked iPhones, and purchased a SIM card as soon as we arrived. It was quick and easy - just have your passport handy to get the SIM card. Cellular Data is VERY cheap here. - Sep 2017
Dialog, although there are other companies, I think this is what most go with. For the mobile phone, I would recommend buying a pre paid card and just topping up with you get low for both the calls/messages as well as your data. It's much cheaper that way. - Mar 2017
Locally available and 'pay as you go' options are cheap. - Sep 2013
Buy a local SIM asap! You will have to give your passport number. Check the IDD costs between the 5 suppliers. - Sep 2012
There is very limited coverage, no 3G or coverage for iPhones. Cheap unlocked phones are available, sometimes though they may be stolen goods. - Dec 2011
I have a Dialogue pay as you go plan and that works for me. - Feb 2010
Phones available locally in abundance (but not all genuine brands). There is generally good coverage and good service. - Feb 2008
