Language
Most Sri Lankans will not allow you to practise your Sinhala words, so eager are they to speak their generally fluent English. Even in rural areas there will be someone who will translate before you can reach for your phrasebook. But once you get into a flow the language is not difficult, and you may find you have a rudimentary understanding by the time you leave.

 
Many Sinhalese place names are long but quite logical as they are nearly always a compound, so remember a few rules and you will pronounce themlike a native.