IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL Business Customs Business cards are a necessity. Courtesy is highly valued in Sri Lanka, and personal politeness plays a major role in clinching deals. While punctuality is not as highly prized as in the United States, most appointments and other commitments are scrupulously observed. Travel Advisory and Visa A valid U.S. passport, sufficient exchange for maintenance at the minimum rate of $20 per day and an onward or return ticket, or foreign exchange to purchase same are required. U.S. tourists can enter Sri Lanka without a visa and will be entitled to remain for a maximum period of 90 days without any payment. U.S. nationals coming for business purposes are entitled to entry for a maximum period of 30 days on arrival. Extensions can be obtained from the Office of the Controller of Immigration and Emigration, Chaitya Road, Colombo 1. Phone: 436353; Fax: 437040. Any period in excess of 3 months attracts a temporary residence tax of Rs 2,500/-. Under no circumstance will a foreigner who enters Sri Lanka on a tourist visa be permitted to change the status of the visa. Visitors may apply for Sri Lankan visas at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, D.C., Sri Lanka's mission to the United Nations in New York, and Honorary consulates in Chicago, Los Angeles and New Orleans. The Sri Lankan Government has introduced a resident guest scheme recently under which investors who remit a minimum of $150,000 and professionals whose expertise is not readily available here are entitled to receive resident visas for five years. The implementing agency of this scheme is the BOI. There is no restriction on the import of foreign currencies. Amounts exceeding $5,000 must be declared on arrival and those which are not used in Sri Lanka may be exported on departure. Currency conversion must only be done at authorized banks, dealers and money changers. Most leading hotels provide currency conversion facilities. Holidays Sri Lankan holidays are connected with the country's four religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Dates change from year to year. Holidays with fixed dates include independence day (February 4), National Heroes Day (May 22), Christmas (December 25). Each full moon is marked by a Poya Day holiday. Following is a List of Holidays for 1995. January 15 Thai Pongal January 16 Duruthu Poya February 04 National Day February 14 Navam Poya February 27 Maha Sivarathri March 03 Ramazan Festival March 16 Medin Poya April 13 Day Prior to Sinhala and - Tamil New Year April 14 Sinhala and Tamil New Year - Good Friday April 15 Bak Poya May 01 May Day May 10 Hadji Festival May 14 Vesak Poya May 15 Day Following Vesak Poya May 22 National Heros Day June 12 Poson Poya June 30 Special Bank Holiday July 12 Esala Poya August 10 Nikini Poya - and Holy Prophet's Birthday September 08 Binara Poya October 08 Vap Poya October 23 Deepavali Festival November 06 Il Poya December 06 Unduvap Poya December 25 Christmas December 31 Special Bank Holiday Business Infrastructure With over 25,000 kilometers of road, all parts of the island are accessible. Taxi cabs and motorized tri-shaws are found in abundance. The business language is English. The telecommunication system is being constantly improved. International direct dialing is available and cellular telephones have become increasingly popular. International mail and speedy courier services are also available. Several five- star hotels (Marriott, Hilton, Renaissance, Intercontinental, Oberoi and Taj) provide good accommodation facilities for business travellers. Housing and health care facilities in the country are reasonable, but have been earmarked by the government for further development. The supermarket concept is being developed and imported food products are readily available in super markets.