propertyproblemsinsrilanka

Great place for holidays, but

Sri Lanka is a fascinating country and is well worth visiting for a holiday, if you visit for a short time you will be amazed by its beauty and how friendly the people you meet are. If you are only staying for a week or so you should go home with many happy memories, However there are many problems that befall those of us that choose to set up a holiday home or permanent residence and I want to tell these stories and hopefully save others from suffering similar fates. There is much to include in this journal.  

I enjoyed my first holiday to Sri Lanka so much that I made a point of staying at the same resort for some of the time each time I revisited, (except for after the tsunami as the resort was severely damaged) I got to know some of the locals and became friendly with one family in particular. The man, who worked as a “beach boy” was always very good, took us on good trips etc and never let us down, I came to like and trust this family over and above other locals that I met. When I decided to have a go at “making a new life for myself” in Sri Lanka it was this family that I turned to for help, they had previously offered to help me in all aspects of living in Sri Lanka, besides, who else did I know and trust?? I was trapped then without even knowing it! Many people that choose to live in Sri Lanka also appoint a local “friend” that they trust, so many non nationals fall for this trick because very few are lucky enough to have knowledge of laws and language and know everything about the place, it is the circumstances that myself and others have found our selves tricked into that I write about.

First thing to remember is DO NOT TRUST SRI LANKANS IN GENERAL. most problems are caused by the trust that’s placed on these people being grossly abused. Many Sri Lankan’s don’t trust each other, lying and stealing is innate behaviour to many, however if you do slip unawares into a trap you will have to trust someone to help you and that someone could be very difficult to find. 2nd thing to remember is INSIST THAT ALL PAPERWORK IS IN A LANGUAGE YOU UNDERSTAND. even at the risk of losing your trustee, if he is trustworthy he wont object. make sure it is fully completed before you sign and also make sure that you have the paperwork in your keeping as deeds etc can be changed.

It is sad to say that it is wise to “think the worst” of the locals, the average Sri Lankan has endless patience and can wait a long time gaining your trust if he believes there could be a big “reward” (Steve and Kath should outlive their “friend” but he’s waiting things out for his family to take over)

I will start by summarising the problems I know of and what I know about the people who cause them, and although a separate issue I will also mention some of the tricks and cons played on us by beach boy / guides as these are the types of person that hope to become and often succeed in becoming your “trusted friend”

1, A relatively common problem (what happened to me) is the theft of land, it is made easy by the government who impose a 100% tax on non nationals buying land or property thereby encouraging people to use the help of a Sri Lankan “trusted friend” who is subject only to a 4% stamp duty. There is little and sometimes no help for non nationals who are victims of crime as Sri Lankan’s stick together, even the police will hope you give up and go home.

2, Very common is theft of personal property, phones, jewellery, and anything from a pencil to fishing tackle, once described to me as the “you have it, I want it” attitude.

3, Overcharging for everything, there is a two price system here especially in tourist areas, tourists and non nationals living in Sri Lanka are charged a lot extra, (tourist price) the attitude is that we are rich and therefore have to pay more. Non tourist areas and Muslim areas are far more likely to not overcharge, but the casual visitor is less likely to visit these areas as tour guides and the like will only take the tourist to places where the guide will get paid a commission. The attitude is to make as much as possible in as short a time as possible, the practice of fair pricing and ergo repeat custom from visitors barely exists as most people “go home” and do not revisit, I once paid 800 rupees (Rs800) for a haircut but later found a “Salon” that charged 75 rupees, needless to say I no longer use the hairdresser’s who charged Rs300 or Rs150 either.
I also had to have some dental treatment and the dentist seemed very good and fair but a bit expensive, procedure here is very different to the UK and dentists are easy to find, I was due to return and have a tooth extracted and was quoted Rs 5000 for the work, I then visited 2 other dentists who both quoted Rs 400.

3a, it is hardly surprising that the people of Sri Lanka consider it perfectly fair to charge tourists and visitors far more than necessary as the government of Sri Lanka does nothing to stop or discourage this custom, in fact it is fair to say that the government actually encourages this practice, as well as the 100% tax non nationals have to pay if purchasing property, anyone who does not have residency or citizenship has to pay as much as 20 times more to enter certain destinations or attractions. An example of this is the zoo in Dehiwala, Rs 50 for locals and Rs1000 for tourists, these fees are doubled on Poya days and National holidays,

4, Recriminations if you dare to complain. (threats of violence etc)

5, It can be difficult for anyone to help if the person who needs help is under the “control” of a friend. I once offered to take some fellow Europeans to Galle by train as I was going anyway, their “friend” found out and became violent towards me,

6, Who you employ, employing someone from another area can cause problems as can trying to change the person you employ be it a builder or a “guide / beach boy” (the latter will “own” you.) Also getting rid of or “sacking” someone for any reason can become another nightmare.

7, The people who cause problems are usually the beach boy, tuk tuk driver or guide that you meet, it is difficult to avoid these people as they can be very persistent, Many tourists complain about the “activities” of these people though it is often very beneficial to have the assistance of someone like this, not just those above mentioned people, but anyone (usually a man) will try to become your trusted friend.

It must be beyond the capabilities of the average “friend, beach boy” to successfully accomplish the “con” without help, there must be a network of knowledge shared by these “friends”. Jim and Helen also had the deeds to their holiday property done in Sinhala, and like me found out they weren’t the legal owners, though our properties are over 40km apart their “friend” knew about my “friend”.

Just above I have written “do not trust Sri Lankan’s in general” this is because the people responsible for causing much misery are most likely to be the people you first meet when holidaying or visiting, (you like them, you trust them) its only when you have been in the country for some time that you learn of or meet trustworthy people who will genuinely help you, but to start with take my advice and don’t trust. If you are fortunate enough to know all the rules and regulations and know enough good people to make coming to Sri Lanka an easy, trouble free experience you will not need “local help” and will not need to read more.

propertyproblemsinsrilanka@gmail.com