Utopia has assembled the world's first guide to the G&L scene in 16 Asian countries including complete listings for the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Nepal, plus "best of" listings for select major cities in a dozen other countries. Listings include organizations, bars, discos, accommodations, spas, restaurants, and more. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from local Utopians and gay travelers. Click here to order the collector's First Edition

• Lesbian listings
• Men in Sri Lanka message forum
• Sri Lanka Gay & Lesbian News
• Sri Lanka Gay Scene Updates message forum
• Travel in Sri Lanka message forum
• Additional links for Sri Lanka GLBT information.

Click here for pictures and a special report from
Sri Lanka's First Gay Pride Celebration.

• Companions on a Journey
  46/50 Robert E Gunawardena Mawatha, Colombo 6, (94-11) 485-1535, email. An exclusively LGBT organization founded in 1995 and focusing their work in three main areas: advocacy for protection of rights of LGBT people and decriminalisation of consenting adult homosexuality; networking; and providing peer based outreach services. They operate two drop-in centers in Colombo and Kandy. In addition, they conduct film screenings, host reading room facilities and social get-togethers. They also provide peer counseling, STI/HIV testing and treatment and provide free condoms and information on STIs/HIV through peer outreach workers.
• EQUAL GROUND
  Colombo, +94-11-567-9766, 251-2977, email. Focusing on the human rights of Sri Lanka's LGBTIQ communities. They fight for the equitable status of all sexual orientations and gender identities and to eliminate the physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological abuse stemming from strict interpretations of gender and sexuality. They also offer a phone counseling service as well, on either phone line, and regularly hold activities for LB women and travelers are welcome to call about activities for the LGBTIQ community and LB women. They host an annual event called Women On Top to celebrate International Women's Day. They hosted and facilitated the first South Asian LB women's Conference in Sri Lanka. They also have women-only extracurricular activities such as open house, dancing, etc. EQUAL GROUND is the convening organisation PRIDE in Sri Lanka and is generally in June each year with dates posted on their website a few months in advance.

• Andrees Tours
  Email. Organizing all type of tours around Sri Lanka. Gay and lesbian-friendly.
• Sri Lanka Trekking Nature Holidays
  email. A small, gay and lesbian-friendly, family-managed tour organization run by an experienced trekking guide and holiday organizer. See real Sri Lanka. Experience panoramic mountain views, natural rain forests, grasslands, tea plantations, paddy fields, scrub jungles, village life, flora and fauna - all in a one day walk. Get to know locals and to take in all that Mother Nature has to offer. The trekking grade is gentle/moderate. They organize the ground arrangements. They try to steer away from the places visited by everyday tourists. Utopia Member Discount
• SriLanka Tours
  Email. Hotel bookings, tour and vacation planning, plus all types of tourism related activities in Sri Lanka. Gay and lesbian-friendly. Utopia Member Discount

COLOMBO/KOLAMBA -- area code (94-1)

Population is over 650,000 (that's about 26,000 Utopians).

Click here for Colombo/Kolamba hotels and accommodations.

• Molly's (mixed)
  46/38 Nawam Mawatha, Slave Island (Col 2), 254-3966. Straight bar attracts some gays.

• Lush (mixed)
  Gays frequent this happening night spot.

• Middle class, educated gays in Colombo meet online, especially on GayRomeo, LanakaLove, and ManJam.
• Colombo Fort, facilities in the CTB government bus stand and underground.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Underground facilities in the Fort area on York St. If you are coming up York St from the Hilton it is across from the first corner of the Cargill's building (the old red brick building). Look for a stairway going down from the side walk with men's symbol. Plenty of guys just standing around looking for fun." -- jamesto, May 1, 2010

• Hanging around outside the British Council where young Sri Lankan gays go to study English.
• Majestic City Shopping Mall, Galle Rd. Main lounge and facilities.

Galle

Galle, in the southern part of the island, is a great place to visit for a few days. The Old Town and 16th century Fort are full of atmosphere and romance -- especially beautiful to walk around in the cool of the late afternoon. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the people are friendly. The shops in the Fort can be interesting and cater for a variety of tastes. The beach of Unawatuna is close by.

Click here for Galle hotels and accommodations.

• Ramparts Hotel
  Dining room on 1/F overlooking the ocean is perfect for a cheap meal and a beer, for lunch or dinner.

Kalutara

• Ayurmassagelanka
  71-604-9029, email. Gay-friendly. body-to-body massage, kerala type body massage and music therapy.

Negombo / Migamuwa

Negombo, the only city in Sri Lanka with relaxed, everyday gay life, is a peaceful oceanside resort just 15 minutes drive north from Colombo's international airport. Budget airlines like Air Asia offer unbelievably low priced flights from hubs like Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, making this an easy-breezy beach get-away. With tropical island pace of life, seaside dining and bars, extraordinarily friendly locals and gay-only resorts, its become a favorite holiday destination for jet-setting regional gays looking for a weekend retreat or long-stay holiday.

The population of Negombo is about 130,000 (that's over 5,000 Utopians).

Click here for Negombo hotels and accommodations.

• Rodeo Bar (mixed)
  Some gay patrons.
• The Windmill Hotel (mixed)
  Plastic chairs on the terrace, but a good atmosphere and drinks are a good value for the money. Popular (even if you are the only guest, wait a bit and the guys of Negombo will find you).

• Middle class, educated gays in Negombo meet online, especially on GayRomeo, LanakaLove, and ManJam.
• Negombo Bus Terminal, after 7:30pm until late.

• Bijou (Swiss cuisine)
  Great food and service. Very friendly owner and good prices.
• Dolce Vita (Italian Coffee shop)
  Portuhota Rd, Ettukala. Enter through the Sea-Sands Guesthouse. Gay-friendly. Good tiramusu. Terrace with a fantastic view right beside the beach. A perfect place to watch the sunset.
• King Coconut (western and Sinhalese)
  Ettukala, on the beach. Lots of locals and fresh food, including many western favorites. Try one of the spicey curry and rice plates (see picture below) and, if brave, eat with your fingers like the locals do.
• Lords (western and Sri Lankan)
  Portuhota Rd, Ettukala. Funky, arty open air restaurant with gallery. Western and Sri Lankan food served with popular Australian wines. Gay-owned.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Lords have a new menu and still the best food on Sri Lanka. British-owned, top quality ingredients used, excellent attentive service." -- btonboz, Jan 13, 2010

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Patuwatha - Dodanduwa

Click here for Patuwatha - Dodanduwa hotels and accommodations.

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Unawatuna

Click here for Unawatuna hotels and accommodations.

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