Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment for health services. A serious illness or injury might require evacuation to the nearest country where more comprehensive medical facilities are available, usually Singapore or Thailand. Because U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States, supplemental insurance with specific overseas coverage, including medical evacuation coverage, may prove useful. There is a wide array of restaurants in Colombo serving local as well as international cuisine. Restaurants in the five-star hotels in Colombo also offer a variety of continental, local and other Asian cuisines.
Local food is spicy to American tastes.
Several well-stocked supermarkets are located in Colombo. The AmCham sponsors monthly luncheon meetings with a featured speaker, occasional breakfast meetings with visiting U.S. officials and other guests, and sporadic cocktail get-togethers. In early 1997, the AmCham hosted the first American Ambassador's Dinner, which it hopes to make an annual event. In addition, the AmCham organizes and sponsors the American Trade Fair, held once every year and a half, with Embassy support. This site is produced and maintained by USIS Colombo, Sri Lanka.