What Plug Does Sri Lanka Use? Sockets, Voltage & Adapters Explained
Sri Lanka uses Type G sockets at 230V/50Hz — but older buildings still have round-pin Type D and M. What adapter you need, whether you need a voltage converter, and what actually plugs in.
update Published 5 August 2026
The short answer: Sri Lanka uses Type G sockets — the three rectangular-pin British plug — at 230 volts, 50Hz. If you are coming from the UK, your plugs fit and your devices work with no adapter. From anywhere else, you need a plug adapter, and possibly more than that.
The longer answer matters, because Sri Lanka is midway through a changeover and what you find at the wall is not always what the standard says.
The current standard
| Official plug type | Type G (three rectangular pins) |
| Also still found | Type D and Type M (round pins) |
| Voltage | 230V |
| Frequency | 50Hz |
Sri Lanka historically used the older British round-pin standards, Types D and M — the same family still common in India. In 2016 the government decided to move to Type G, the modern British standard, and the sale of non-compliant sockets was banned from August 2018.
That ban governs what can be sold, not what is already screwed to the wall. New hotels, recent construction and renovated buildings will be Type G throughout. An older family guesthouse, a rural homestay or a house that has not been rewired may still have round-pin sockets in some rooms. Plan for Type G, but do not be surprised by a round-pin socket.
Type D, M and G — how to tell them apart
- Type D — three round pins in a triangle, the top one larger. The old British 5A standard.
- Type M — the same triangular layout but with visibly thicker pins, historically used for higher-current appliances like air conditioners.
- Type G — three rectangular pins, with a fuse inside the plug. The current standard.
They are not interchangeable. A Type D plug will not fit a Type G socket, and a Type G plug will not fit a Type D socket. A universal adapter handles all of them.
Adapter or converter? This is the part people get wrong
These are two different things, and confusing them is how travellers destroy a hair dryer.
- A plug adapter only changes the shape of the pins. It does not change the electricity.
- A voltage converter actually transforms 230V down to 110V.
Most travellers only need the adapter. Nearly every modern phone charger, laptop charger, camera charger and power bank is dual-voltage, meaning it accepts anything from 100V to 240V and sorts it out internally.
How to check in five seconds: read the fine print on the charger itself. If it says
INPUT: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz
it is dual-voltage and safe on Sri Lankan mains with nothing more than a plug adapter. Essentially all Apple, Samsung, Anker, Ugreen and laptop chargers are.
What genuinely needs a converter are devices with heating elements or motors built for 110V only — some hair dryers, travel kettles, curling irons and electric shavers. If the label says only “INPUT: 120V”, plugging it into 230V will destroy it, usually instantly. For those, the practical advice is to leave them at home and buy a 230V equivalent locally; travel converters rated for high-wattage heating appliances are bulky and often disappointing.
What this means for where you’re coming from
- United Kingdom & Ireland — nothing needed. Same plug, same 230V, same 50Hz.
- Europe — a plug adapter only. Type C/F pins do not fit Type G, but 230V/50Hz matches, so your devices are fine.
- India, Bangladesh, Nepal — a plug adapter. Your round-pin Type D plugs may fit older Sri Lankan sockets, but assume Type G. Voltage matches.
- United States, Canada, Japan — a plug adapter and a voltage check on every device. At roughly 110–120V at home, your chargers are almost certainly dual-voltage, but anything that heats probably is not.
- Australia & New Zealand — a plug adapter. Type I pins do not fit, but 230V/50Hz matches.
Practical notes
- Sockets usually have their own switch. Most Sri Lankan wall sockets have a small on/off switch beside them. If nothing is charging, check the switch before assuming the adapter failed.
- Power cuts happen. Scheduled and unscheduled outages are a normal part of life here. A charged power bank is genuinely useful, not a luxury.
- Buy the adapter, not four adapters. A single universal travel adapter with built-in USB ports replaces both the plug adapter and your charger, which is one less thing in the bag.
- Buying locally is usually cheaper. Airport and in-flight adapters carry a heavy markup. If you land without one, a local electronics shop will have one for a fraction of the price.
What to buy
If you want one thing that solves it, a universal travel adapter with USB-C Power Delivery covers every socket type and charges your phone and laptop without a separate charger. We stock these from around LKR 2,000 for a simple plug kit up to about LKR 18,000 for a 65W GaN model that will run a laptop.
- Power extensions & travel adapters — universal adapters and multi-socket strips.
- Chargers — including compact GaN travel chargers with interchangeable plugs.
- Power banks — worth having for outages and long travel days.
Not sure which wattage you need? What wattage charger do I need explains it in plain English, and USB-C cables explained covers why the cable matters as much as the adapter.
Sources: worldstandards.eu — plug, socket and voltage in Sri Lanka; Electrical Safety First — travel adaptor for Sri Lanka. Voltage and plug standards can change — check current guidance before you travel.
Ready to buy?
Every product is genuine and warranty-backed, and ordering takes one short form — pay cash when it reaches your door.
Frequently asked questions
What plug type does Sri Lanka use? expand_more
Type G — the same three rectangular-pin plug used in the United Kingdom — is Sri Lanka's official standard. The government decided in 2016 to move to Type G, and the sale of non-compliant sockets was banned from August 2018. Because that changeover governs what can be sold rather than what is already installed, older houses and guesthouses may still have round-pin Type D or Type M sockets.
What is the voltage in Sri Lanka? expand_more
230 volts at 50 hertz. That is the same as the UK, Europe, India and Australia. Visitors from the United States, Canada and Japan, where mains is around 100–120V, need to check that each device is dual-voltage before plugging it in.
Do I need a voltage converter in Sri Lanka? expand_more
Usually not. Almost all phone chargers, laptop chargers, camera chargers and power banks are dual-voltage — check the small print on the charger for 'INPUT: 100-240V' and you only need a plug adapter. You need a converter for devices with heating elements or motors built for 110V only, such as some hair dryers, travel kettles and curling irons.
Will a UK plug work in Sri Lanka? expand_more
Yes. UK plugs are Type G, which is Sri Lanka's standard, and the voltage and frequency are identical at 230V/50Hz. UK travellers generally need no adapter at all, though a round-pin socket in an older building is still possible.
Will a European or US plug work in Sri Lanka? expand_more
Not directly — both need a plug adapter. European Type C and Type F plugs and US Type A and Type B plugs do not fit a Type G socket. European visitors need only the adapter since the voltage matches at 230V, while US visitors must also confirm each device is dual-voltage.
Do Sri Lankan hotels provide adapters? expand_more
Many hotels will lend one at reception, but supply is limited and it is not something to rely on. A universal travel adapter is inexpensive and removes the problem entirely — and if you are already in Sri Lanka, buying one locally is usually cheaper than an airport purchase.
What is the difference between Type D, M and G sockets? expand_more
Type D has three round pins in a triangle and was the old British 5A standard. Type M looks the same but with noticeably thicker pins, and was used for higher-current appliances. Type G has three rectangular pins and is the modern British standard Sri Lanka has adopted. A Type D plug will not fit a Type G socket, or the reverse.