Airport Counter

After clearing Sri Lanka Immigration and Customs at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will enter the arrival lobby on the ground floor. This is where your Lakpura welcome begins. Our representative will be waiting for you at the Ayubowan Tours taxi counter, clearly signposted within the arrival lobby area.

Where exactly is the Lakpura counter in the arrival lobby?

Once you walk through the customs exit and into the public arrival hall, scan the row of licensed taxi and tour operator counters along the main concourse. Look for the Ayubowan Tours board. Our staff will be holding a namecard with your name if a private transfer has been arranged in advance. The counter operates around the clock to cover all incoming flights, regardless of arrival time.

If you have difficulty locating the counter — for instance, if the hall is busy after a peak-hour wave of arrivals — please follow the steps below before leaving the terminal.

What should I do if I cannot find the Lakpura representative?

Do not exit the terminal or accept assistance from unlicensed drivers. Instead, call the on-duty manager directly using the numbers listed below. The duty manager is the fastest route to resolving any meeting-point confusion and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Suneth (Duty Manager & 24/7 Helpline): +94 777 155 700
• Indika (Duty Manager): +94 777 899 533

Please contact the duty manager first, before calling any sales agent or the main office number. This ensures the fastest possible response and avoids unnecessary hold times on general lines.

What transfers and onward services does Lakpura arrange from the airport?

Lakpura coordinates a full range of ground transfers from CMB, from private air-conditioned vehicles to helicopter and light-aircraft charters for guests heading to remote destinations. Whether you are continuing to Colombo, the Cultural Triangle, the hill country, or the southern coast, your driver and route will be confirmed before departure.

For guests whose itinerary includes a Negombo city tour on arrival day — a popular choice given the city is only a short drive from the airport — the counter team can brief you on the plan and coordinate directly with your driver.

Guests connecting onward by domestic aircraft can also discuss seaplane and light-aircraft options with the counter team. Lakpura operates transfers to and from several regional airstrips across the island.

How long does it typically take to clear immigration and customs at CMB?

Processing times vary significantly depending on flight schedules, nationality, and season. During peak travel periods — typically December to February and July to August — the immigration hall can be busy, and clearing formalities may take between 45 minutes and two hours. Travelling with a pre-filled Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and having your onward accommodation details ready will help speed up the process. Your Lakpura representative at the counter will track your inbound flight and will be in position when you emerge, regardless of delays.

Is the airport counter staffed for early-morning and late-night flights?

Yes. Bandaranaike International Airport operates around the clock, and many international flights arrive in the early hours of the morning. The Lakpura counter team and duty managers maintain 24/7 coverage to ensure no guest is left without assistance, regardless of when their flight lands. If your flight is significantly delayed, the duty manager will already be aware through flight-tracking and will adjust accordingly.

What if I need help arranging a taxi independently from the airport?

For travellers who have not pre-booked a transfer, Lakpura recommends using only licensed taxi services operating from within the official arrival hall. Our taxis and private drivers page outlines the options available across Sri Lanka, including metered taxis, app-based services, and private chauffeur hires for longer journeys. Avoid accepting rides from touts operating outside the terminal building, as these are unregulated and uninsured.

Key contacts at a glance

Save both numbers to your phone before you board your flight to Sri Lanka. International roaming should be enabled, or a local SIM can be purchased at the airport once you have cleared customs.

Tips for a smooth airport arrival in Sri Lanka

• Complete your Sri Lanka ETA application online before departure — it is mandatory for most nationalities and avoids queues at on-arrival visa desks.
• Declare any restricted items at customs to avoid delays; Sri Lanka customs officers conduct random bag checks.
• Currency exchange and ATM facilities are available in the arrival hall before you exit to the lobby, so you can collect local rupees for small expenses on arrival day.
• Stay within the designated arrival lobby when waiting for your representative — do not exit through the main doors to the drop-off road, as meeting your driver there is more difficult.
• Keep a screenshot of this page and the duty manager numbers accessible offline in case you do not have data connectivity immediately on landing.