Sri Lanka: primary language is Sinhala and Tamil — English gets you by in tourist areas, but is inconsistent elsewhere.
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The primary language in Sri Lanka is Sinhala and Tamil.
English gets you by in tourist areas, but is inconsistent elsewhere. A legacy of British colonial rule keeps English reasonably common, especially in tourist areas.
Learning "hello," "please," "thank you," "excuse me," and "the check please" in the local language goes a long way anywhere, including Sri Lanka — locals consistently appreciate the effort.
Yes — an offline translation app is genuinely useful in Sri Lanka, especially outside major tourist areas.