Is it okay to use ATMs late in the evening in Sri Lanka or should I stick to daytime withdrawals only? I am a single woman travelling so want to be safe.
I was in Sri Lanka for three weeks and had no major issues, but I never used ATMs after 7 or 8 pm. I kept a bit of cash on me and planned ahead so I could do my withdrawals during the day. ATMs inside Arpico supermarkets and inside bank branches were the safest. In smaller towns like Haputale or Anuradhapura, the streets are empty at night so it's best to wait. Better to play it safe than risk it for a few extra rupees.
I only withdrew money from machines inside well-lit areas. In Galle and Ella I found ATMs inside supermarkets like Food City, which felt much safer even in the evening. I avoided standalone ATMs completely after dark. The best ones are inside banks like Sampath or People’s Bank they often have lobby ATMs with security even late. If you’re ever unsure, just wait until morning.Is it okay to use ATMs late in the evening in Sri Lanka or should I stick to daytime withdrawals only? I am a single woman travelling so want to be safe.
I used an ATM around 9 pm in Mirissa once and honestly didn’t feel comfortable. The area was fine but the machine was on the side of the road with no lights or people nearby. A couple of guys were hanging around and I waited till they left. After that I only used ATMs during the day or inside banks. In Colombo, the Commercial Bank branch near Galle Road was open late and had guards so that felt much better.
I travelled solo through Sri Lanka in January and stuck to daytime ATM withdrawals just to be safe. Even in Colombo and Kandy, I avoided using machines on quiet streets after dark. I always looked for ATMs inside banks or shopping malls like Crescat Boulevard or Kandy City Centre. Those felt safe and had security guards around. If I needed cash at night, I would wait until morning unless it was urgent.
Amana Bank ATM is open 24 hours. Very convenient for emergencies and did not have a safety issue in my experience
yes. Amana Bank in Sri Lanka offers 24-hour ATM access. Easy to locate and use.
yeah no issues - Nations Trust had 24x7 ATM withdrawals. Really convenient it had a camera
No lights inside the Nations Trust ATM. Bit uncomfortable to use at night.