Overview
Everything you need to know before visiting Sri Lanka. From visa requirements to local customs, we've compiled the essential information to help you travel confidently and avoid common pitfalls.
Currency
Sri Lankan Rupee (Rs)
Best SIM Provider
Dialog
Main Ride App
PickMe
Payment
Cash preferred
⚠️ Important Entry Restrictions
- Buddha images and tattoos: Visible tattoos of Buddha, or any religious image, can mean refused entry, arrest or deportation. Di...
View full entry requirements
Visa & Entry Requirements
Visa requirements vary based on your passport country. For the most accurate information, always check with your country's embassy or the official immigration website.
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Medication Restrictions
Medicines for personal use
You may bring personal medicines without approval if the amount covers your stay, up to 90 days. Keep them in the original packaging and carry your prescription. Injectable medicines are not allowed, and Schedule III medicines are not permitted.
More than 90 days, or medicines not sold in Sri Lanka
More than a 90-day supply needs approval from the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) first. For medicines not available in Sri Lanka, the NMRA issues a free Letter of Authorization (up to 100 doses). You need a prescription, a request letter, a passport copy and an application form signed by your prescriber.
Apply for approvalIllegal drugs
Penalties for illegal drugs, including cannabis, are severe, even if you are only in transit. Do not bring cannabis or CBD products.
⚠️ Penalty: Long prison sentences
Essential Apps
PickMeSri Lanka's main ride app, with cars and tuk-tuks across the island. Fares are shown before you book. Also does food delivery.
UberWorks with your home account. The airport lists it as a pickup option.
Notes for Visitors
- Apply for your ETA online at eta.gov.lk before you fly. It is free for US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports (and 35 others), and USD 50 online (USD 60 on arrival) for most other nationalities.
- Rail seats for the scenic hill-country lines go on sale 30 days ahead at 10:00 local time and sell out fast. The railway's reservation website needs an account, and the official apps are Pravesha and Sri Lanka Railways Reservation (Android only).
- Canada's government (updated 13 October 2026) says you must also complete an online arrival card up to 3 days before you land. Sri Lanka's own form page was returning "not found" on 24 October 2026, and the ETA site, UK and US advisories do not mention the card, so check with your airline before you fly.
- Buying a SIM or eSIM from Dialog or the outlets in the airport arrivals lobby needs your passport.
- Tuk-tuk drivers often refuse the meter. Use PickMe or Uber, or agree the price before you get in. The U.S. State Department warns about drivers offering "special" tours or gem shops.
SIM Cards & Internet
An eSIM installed before you land gives you data on arrival. If you prefer a local SIM, Dialog and Mobitel have outlets in the airport arrivals lobby, and you need your passport to register it.
- Dialog is generally rated as having the best 4G coverage.
- SIM registration rules are being revised (Cabinet approved new regulations in February 2026, and a live-photo step for new buyers was announced), so bring your passport and expect extra checks.
eSIM Options
Skip the airport SIM queue with an eSIM
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Money & Banking
Cards vs Cash
Sri Lanka is mostly cash-based. Visa and Mastercard work at hotels, larger shops and chain restaurants, but you need rupees (LKR) for tuk-tuks, train tickets, markets, entry fees and anywhere rural. Carry about LKR 10,000 to 15,000 in small notes.
ATM Tips
ATMs are common in cities and usually charge LKR 300 to 600 on foreign cards. Use machines inside bank branches or hotels, because bank card fraud is common. If a machine or card terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in rupees.
Tipping Culture
Tipping is optional. Most restaurants add a 10% service charge, so an extra tip is not needed, and local cafes do not expect one. Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers are not tipped: round up to the nearest 100 rupees.
- Tips for private drivers: about LKR 500 to 2,000 a day.
- Tips for guides: about LKR 1,000 to 3,000 a day.
- Tips for safari drivers: about LKR 1,000 to 3,000 per safari.
- Tips for hotel porters and housekeeping: about LKR 200 to 500.
- Some ATMs cap withdrawals at LKR 20,000 to 40,000, and machines can run dry in small towns. Not every ATM accepts international cards.
- Foreigners pay much higher entry fees than locals at many sights. Always ask for a printed ticket: if none is issued, the money does not reach the site.
- Tourists who spend at least LKR 50,000 (before VAT) at authorised retailers can claim the VAT back at the airport. Ask the shop for a tourist VAT refund invoice and confirm the process with them.
Recommended Travel Cards
Avoid foreign transaction fees with these travel-friendly cards
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Getting Around
From the Airport
Both apps pick up at Colombo airport, with the fare shown before you book.
- Expect roughly LKR 2,500 to 4,500 to Colombo, depending on traffic
- The expressway toll is often not included, so ask the driver
- There is no airport train
Fixed air-conditioned fares set by the airport operator, from counters in the Arrival Lobby and the Arrival outer porch.
- Colombo 1, 3, 4, 7 and 11: LKR 8,100
- Negombo: LKR 3,780
- Kandy: LKR 21,384
- Galle: LKR 23,328
- Sigiriya: LKR 28,188
- Ella: LKR 36,030
- Each extra kilometre costs LKR 130 and each extra drop LKR 300
- Phone: +94 11 226 3096
Air-conditioned, runs 24 hours and takes about 50 minutes via the expressway.
- Boards at the Departure Terminal outer porch
- Luggage over 23 kg costs the same again
Air-conditioned, about 50 minutes, to the transport hub where long-distance buses leave.
- Boards at the Arrival outer porch, opposite the Buddha statue
- Luggage over 23 kg costs the same again
Local Transport
Meter fares are regulated in the Western Province, and were raised temporarily in March 2026 to cover fuel costs.
- First kilometre LKR 110, then LKR 90 for each further kilometre
- Many drivers say the meter is broken or hidden, and quote two to three times the real fare
- Use PickMe or Uber, or agree the full price before you get in
- The U.S. Embassy warns that drivers often overcharge foreigners, even with a phone meter app
There is no metro, and you cannot tap a bank card.
- Pay cash to the conductor or at the station
- The U.S. State Department advises avoiding public buses because of harassment and theft
PickMe is the dominant app, including for tuk-tuks, and Uber works with your home account. Both show the fare before you book.
Buy 3rd class tickets at the station. For 1st and 2nd class, reserve a seat in advance.
- Reserve at seatreservation.railway.gov.lk (account needed; cards and LANKAQR accepted; up to 5 seats per order)
- Seats go on sale 30 days ahead at 10:00 local time and sell out fast
- The Pravesha app is the official app for buying tickets
Cyclone Ditwah damaged the line in late 2025, and there was no through train from Kandy to Ella.
- Colombo Fort to Peradeniya and Gampola reopened on 2 October 2026
- The bridge between Peradeniya and Kandy was still under repair
- Rambukkana to Nanu Oya was not running
- Nanu Oya to Badulla, through Ella, reopened on 20 June 2026
- Check the Sri Lanka Railways timetable before you plan the scenic ride
The UK government says tourist buses are generally safer than ordinary public buses, which are often fast and poorly maintained. Hiring a car with a driver by the day is a common way to get between sights.
Driving & Rental Cars
International Driving Permit required
Sri Lanka requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive or rent a car legally. Rental agencies often won't ask — but if you're pulled over, local police may require it and fines can be significant. Also required if your license isn't in the local language or script. Costs around $20, takes about a week, and you can't get one once you've left.
The UK government says hire vehicles need a 1949-convention International Driving Permit plus a Sri Lankan recognition permit.
Tourists can instead get a temporary Sri Lankan licence at the Department of Motor Traffic counter in the arrivals walkway at Colombo airport:
- LKR 15,000 for one month, LKR 21,000 up to two months, LKR 30,000 up to six months
- You need a full foreign licence valid for at least a year, your passport and visa, and an embassy-certified English translation if the licence is not in English
- It covers motorcycles and light vehicles only
Side of road
Left
Speed limit (km/h)
50 city / 100 hwy
Min rental age
21
Renting a car in Sri Lanka
- Book early for busy seasons, and book an automatic ahead of time if you need one (manual is the default in many countries)
- Choose a "full to full" fuel policy so you only pay for the fuel you use
- Use a credit card in the driver's name, since the desk will hold a deposit on it
- Photograph or film the car at pickup, including every existing scratch
- Ask about tolls, cross-border fees and extra drivers before you sign
- Minimum rental age here is 21, and drivers under 25 often pay a young-driver fee
EconomyBookings
Compare rental car prices in Sri Lanka across hundreds of agencies — often cheaper than booking direct.
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Safety & Accessibility
For Women Travelers
- Sexual harassment is widespread, including catcalling and physical harassment in crowded areas and on public transport (U.S. State Department)
- Assaults are reported mostly at markets, bus and railway stations, sporting events and tourist sites (UK government)
- At night, harassment by taxi and tuk-tuk drivers has been reported: use a ride app, share your trip details, and change vehicles if you feel uneasy
- Avoid public buses, as the U.S. State Department advises, and consider carrying a personal alarm
LGBTQ+ Friendliness
Same-sex sexual relationships are criminalized in Sri Lanka, with maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and an unspecified fine (U.S. State Department). The UK government is not aware of any prosecutions.
- Be discreet about relationships in public
Wheelchair Accessibility
Expect limited accessibility in most buildings, and potholes and sidewalks in poor repair that make movement very difficult (U.S. State Department). Some ancient sites are only partly accessible, and Sigiriya involves a steep climb.
- Colombo airport has lifts, wheelchairs and accessible toilets
- Adapted vehicles with ramps are available through specialist tour operators
Pickpocket Hotspots
- Markets
- Bus and railway stations
- Busy tourist sites
- Busy roads, where thieves on mopeds snatch bags: carry bags on the side away from the road
Travel Insurance
Don't travel without coverage
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Scams to Watch Out For
The 'closed today' tout
A friendly stranger says the sight is closed or only open to locals today and offers a tuk-tuk to another place, usually a gem shop or spice garden where the driver earns a commission.
Prevention: Check at the ticket office yourself and ignore unsolicited help. Always ask for a printed ticket at official sights.
Meter 'broken' or hidden
Some tuk-tuk drivers say the meter is broken or hidden and charge two to three times the normal fare, or take you somewhere other than where you asked.
Prevention: Use PickMe or Uber, or agree the full price before you get in.
Gem and spice-garden pitches
Drivers earn a fee for bringing visitors to gem shops and spice gardens, where a fake 'doctor' or 'professor' sells expensive remedies and spices of poor quality.
Prevention: Do not buy gems from touts. Say no politely and tell the driver where you want to go.
Camera drop
A local hands you a camera, then drops it on purpose when you give it back and demands payment.
Prevention: Politely decline requests to take photos with their camera.
Bank card fraud
The UK government says bank card fraud is common.
Prevention: Use ATMs inside banks or hotels, check the machine for tampering and keep your card in sight.
Traveler Safety Essentials
Traveler Safety Essentials
These safety tips apply everywhere you travel. Small habits can prevent the most common security problems travelers face — from phone theft to home break-ins.
Don't forget anything
Turn these tips into a trackable checklist so nothing slips through the cracks.
Weather & Climate
Sri Lanka's climate varies by region. Here's a seasonal overview to help you plan.
Dec – Feb
24-32°C (74-89°F)
Low rainfall
Hot and mostly dry; peak season on the west and south coasts
Mar – May
25-32°C (78-90°F)
Medium rainfall
Hot and humid; the first heavy rain arrives between the monsoons
Jun – Aug
26-30°C (79-87°F)
Low rainfall
Monsoon showers on the west and south coasts; the east coast is drier
Sep – Nov
25-30°C (76-87°F)
High rainfall
Wettest month in Colombo; unsettled weather and thunderstorms across the island
Packing Tip
Check the specific month you're traveling for detailed packing suggestions. Weather can vary significantly by region and elevation.
BAODINI mini umbrella
Packs into a daypack and blocks both UV and sudden downpours — a travel-day staple when the forecast can't make up its mind.
Shop on AmazonSun hoodie (UPF)
Lightweight UPF layer that covers your arms and neck, so you skip reapplying sunscreen all day. Sized by fit — pick your cut.
Diveblues portable fan
Rechargeable handheld fan for hot, humid days and stuffy transit — stands hands-free when you need both hands.
Shop on AmazonSome links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we'd suggest to a friend.
Tap Water
Don't drink the tap water.
Use sealed bottled water, or water that has been boiled or treated, for drinking and for brushing your teeth. Skip ice unless you know it was made from safe water. Check that the bottle seal is unbroken, because refilled bottles are sometimes sold.
In Sri Lanka
The U.S. State Department says tap water is not safe to drink in many areas, and many restaurants and hotels serve it unless you ask for bottled water.
A travel water filter can help, but filters differ. One that removes bacteria and parasites does not remove viruses, so for that you need a purifier, or you can boil the water. Boiling is the best way to make water safe.
Sources: CDC, food and drink considerations when traveling; CDC, water treatment while hiking, camping and traveling.
Power & Electricity
Voltage
230V
Frequency
50Hz
Plug Types
G
Sri Lanka uses Type G sockets (three rectangular pins, the same as the UK) at 230V. Plugs from the US, Canada, Australia and continental Europe need an adapter. US and Canadian devices must be dual voltage (look for 100-240V on the label) or need a converter. The weather figures are for Colombo; Kandy is 4 to 5 degrees cooler and Nuwara Eliya much cooler.
What You May Need
- •From US/Canada/Japan: Likely need adapter and possibly converter for non-dual-voltage devices
- •From UK: Likely need adapter, voltage usually compatible
- •From Europe/Australia: Check plug type, voltage usually compatible
EPICKA 70W GaN travel adapter
3 USB-C + 2 USB-A ports with 70W GaN fast charging, so the whole family's devices charge off one plug. Not a voltage converter.
Shop on AmazonAnker power bank
A dead phone is as useless as a stolen one. Compact fast-charging backup power.
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Most modern phone chargers and laptops work with 100-240V. Check your device's power adapter for compatibility before traveling.
Language & Communication
Languages Spoken
Official Language(s)
English Proficiency
Sri Lanka ranks 73rd in the 2025 EF English Proficiency Index (score 486, the 'low proficiency' band). English signs are common on businesses, and tourism staff generally speak it, but expect less outside tourist areas. Sinhala is spoken across most of the island, Tamil mainly in the north and east.
Essential Phrases
Ayubowan
Hello (may you live long)
ah-yoo-BOH-wan
Sthuthiyi
Thank you
STOO-thee-yee
Karunakara
Please
kah-roo-nah-KAH-rah
Samawenna
Excuse me / I'm sorry
sah-mah-WEN-nah
Kiyada?
How much is it?
KEE-yah-dah
Wasikiliya kohedha?
Where is the toilet?
wah-see-kee-LEE-yah KOH-heh-dah
Saara aduwata
Less spicy, please
SAH-rah ah-doo-WAH-tah
Dietary Options
🌱 Vegan Friendly
Dhal and coconut-based vegetable curries are common and reliably vegan. Watch for ghee, Maldive fish (dried tuna) in coconut sambols such as pol sambol, shrimp paste in some curries, and egg in hoppers and kottu. Local understanding of veganism is limited, so ask directly for no ghee, fish or shrimp paste.
🥗 Vegetarian Friendly
Rice and curry is vegetable-based by default, and pure-vegetarian restaurants are easy to find, especially near Hindu temples and in Colombo. Ask about fish and meat stock in mixed restaurants.
🌾 Gluten-Free Friendly
Rice-based hoppers, string hoppers, thali and dosa are naturally gluten-free, but kottu, roti and chapati are made with wheat, and hotels sometimes add wheat to hoppers. Bouillon cubes, soy sauce and wheat-thickened curries are hidden sources, and fried street snacks often share oil. 'Gluten free' is not widely understood, so name the ingredients.
Traveling with a Pet
Requires pre-clearance tracking, localized clinical validation, and advanced government import licenses.
Timeline
30-45 days minimum
Quarantine Risk
Medium if permit missing
Regulatory Framework
Advance Government No Objection Certificate (NOC) / Import Permit.
Key Constraints
Banned from commercial flight cabin spaces on specific airlines. Supplementary vaccine sets required.
Pet Culture
Highly structured or fragmented urban terrain. Best within dedicated expat pockets and private developments.
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Cultural Tips
Greet with palms pressed together under the chin and a slight bow, saying 'Ayubowan' in Sinhala or 'Vanakkam' in Tamil. Greet the oldest person first, and shake hands only if the other person offers, especially with women.
Cover your shoulders and knees at temples and take off your shoes and hats. Visible Buddha tattoos, or posing for photos with your back to a Buddha statue, can get you in serious trouble.
A side-to-side head wobble usually means yes or a neutral agreement. An ordinary head shake means no.
Show respect to monks and elders, for example by offering your seat on a crowded bus.
Alcohol is usually unavailable on Poya (full moon) days, and drinking in public is fined. At police and military checkpoints you can be detained without your passport, so carry it.
Local Quirks & Fun Facts
Sri Lanka has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Sigiriya, the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the Sacred City of Kandy and the Old Town of Galle.
Tea production thrived after coffee plantations were destroyed by disease, and Ceylon tea is still a major export.
Colombo is the commercial capital, but the legislative capital is Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.
The island has two non-overlapping monsoons, so there is almost always good weather somewhere.
Visiting temples and major sights
- Temples: cover your legs and shoulders, and remove shoes and hats. The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy is open from about 05:30 to 20:00, with viewing during three daily puja times, and has free shoe storage and sarongs to rent. Confirm the foreigner fee at the ticket desk, because guides disagree on it.
- Sigiriya, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are run by the Central Cultural Fund, which sells tickets online at eservices.ccf.gov.lk (an order is valid for 90 days). Foreigners pay far more than locals, so always get a printed ticket.
- Yala National Park is open 6 am to 6 pm and you should prebook your safari. Blocks 1 and 2 reopened on 16 October 2026 after a pause.
- Galle Fort is free to walk. It is a living town with cafes and homes inside the walls, and there is no beach beside it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Planning the Kandy to Ella train without checking that the line is running
Taking a street tuk-tuk without agreeing the fare or checking the meter
Paying the airport taxi counter's fixed fare when an app ride or bus 187 costs a fraction of it
Arriving with only a card: tuk-tuks, trains, markets and many small shops are cash only
Showing a Buddha image, including a tattoo, or posing with your back to a Buddha statue
Drinking tap water or ice made from it
Wearing shorts or bare shoulders at a temple
Tours & Experiences
Book ahead — the best tours sell out fast.
Tours and experiences in Sri Lanka
Browse bookable tours, tickets and day trips on Viator, our tours partner.
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Gear to make your trip easier
Pack smart
4BAGAIL compression packing cubes
Six compression cubes plus vacuum bags and a hand pump, so you can squeeze bulky items down hard when mesh alone isn't enough. Sold as a bundle; every piece is also available on its own.
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Notabag packable backpack/tote
Folds into its own pocket, then opens into a backpack or tote for market runs, day trips, and overflow on the way home.
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FYY electronics organizer
Keeps chargers, cables, and adapters untangled in one place, so you're not digging through your bag at security.
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TSA toiletry containers (3oz set)
Refillable, TSA-approved bottles so you carry your own products in a carry-on without the airport surprise.
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Rest on the way
7Mavogel sleep mask
Blocks light completely for sleep on planes, in bright rooms, or across time zones — contoured so nothing presses on your eyes.
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Sea to Summit Aeros neck pillow
Inflatable, so it packs down to nothing but still holds your head up on long flights and buses.
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Twelve South AirFly SE
Pairs your own headphones with any 3.5mm jack — seatback screens, gym equipment, whatever doesn't have Bluetooth. Reusable, so you're not relying on (or wasting) a disposable pair every flight.
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Children's EarPlanes
Reduces the pressure change in a child's ears during takeoff and landing — less pain, less crying. 3-pair value pack.
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Pedialyte electrolyte powder packets
Single-serve oral rehydration packets — lightweight, no fridge needed, and often not available at your destination.
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Compression socks
Keep your legs from swelling and aching on long flights and bus rides — the cheap habit frequent flyers swear by.
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Loop Quiet earplugs
Reusable, low-profile earplugs that dull engine drone, snorers, and noisy streets so you actually rest.
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Keep it safe
9
NordPass
Keep every login and a passport photo encrypted, so losing your phone doesn't lose your accounts. Use code TRAVELREDDI for 4 months free on a paid plan.
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NordVPN
Encrypts your connection on sketchy public and hotel WiFi. Use code TRAVELREDDI for 4 months free on a paid plan.
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Apple AirTag
Slip one into a checked bag, daypack or even your wallet, then find it in Find My. For iPhone users.
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Tile tracker
The same idea for Android and iPhone. Great in luggage, a daypack, or a wallet.
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Pacsafe crossbody
Locking zippers and a slash-resistant strap. The bag I wish I'd had when mine got unclipped.
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Peak Gear money belt
A hidden belt for cash and a backup card, out of reach of pickpockets.
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Guard Dog door lock
For when you're in the room. Adds a sturdy lock to almost any hotel or rental door so no one can open it while you're inside or asleep.
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TSA locks with cable
For when you're out. Use the cable to lock your bags to each other or to a fixed piece of furniture, so they're harder to grab and more obvious if someone tries. TSA-approved, 2-pack.
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TORRAS phone lanyard
Keeps your phone on your body, much harder to snatch out of your hand.
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Weather ready
3BAODINI mini umbrella
Packs into a daypack and blocks both UV and sudden downpours — a travel-day staple when the forecast can't make up its mind.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Diveblues portable fan
Rechargeable handheld fan for hot, humid days and stuffy transit — stands hands-free when you need both hands.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we'd suggest to a friend.
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