“You have your visa. You have your flight ticket. Now, you face the daunting task of creating the ultimate packing list for migrating from Sri Lanka. Fitting 25 years of your life into two suitcases is never easy.

Whether you have 30kg (Economy) or 46kg (Student/Qatar Airways allowance), it never feels like enough.

I remember standing on the weighing scale in my living room in Colombo, trying to decide if I should sacrifice my favorite denim jeans for another packet of chilli powder. To save you that stress, here is the ruthless guide on what to pack, what to leave, and what to buy when you land.”

To save you that stress, here is the ruthless guide on what to pack, what to leave, and what to buy when you land.

1. The “Food” Bag (The Most Important Part)

Let’s be honest. You aren’t worried about clothes; you are worried about the food.

What to Pack:

• Roasted Curry Powder (Thuna Paha): The stuff abroad is never dark or spicy enough. Pack at least 1kg.

• Chilli Flakes (Kalli Miris): Western “Chilli Flakes” are often just mild paprika seeds. Bring the real deal.

• Maldive Fish: Vacuum pack this. It is expensive and hard to find in Tesco or Coles.

• Soya Meat: It sounds funny, but specific Lankan flavors (like the “Cuttlefish” flavor) are rare abroad. They weigh nothing—great filler.

What to Leave:

• Rice: Do not waste 5kg on Keeri Samba. You can find Basmati everywhere.

• Coconut Milk Powder: Every supermarket in the UK/Aus has Maggi or Chaokoh coconut milk.

• Customs Warning (Australia/NZ): If you are going to Australia, DO NOT take anything with seeds, fresh plants, or meat. They will fine you $400 at the airport. Curry powder is usually fine if it’s commercially display-packed, but declare it!

2. Clothing: The “Pettah Winter Coat” Trap

This is the #1 mistake Sri Lankans make.

Do NOT buy your heavy winter coat in Sri Lanka. The “Winter Jackets” sold in Nuwara Eliya or Pettah are often fashion jackets. They are not rated for -5°C London winds or -20°C Toronto snow. They are heavy, bulky, and won’t keep you warm.

The Strategy:

1. Buy one cheap hoodie or light jacket for the flight and your first day.

2. Buy your real winter coat when you land (from Primark, Uniqlo, or Mountain Warehouse). It will be lighter, warmer, and waterproof.

3. Do Buy: Cotton t-shirts and underwear in Sri Lanka. They are much cheaper at Odel/Fashion Bug/Factory Outlet than abroad.

3. Electronics & Gadgets

• Extension Cord (Surge Protector): Bring one Universal Power Strip from Sri Lanka.

  • Why? You will have 5 devices with “Square Pin” (UK/SL) plugs. Instead of buying 5 adapters, buy one adapter for the wall, plug in your Sri Lankan strip, and plug all your devices into that.

• Universal Travel Adapter: Don’t buy the cheap plastic ones that rattle. Buy a solid one with USB-C ports built-in.

4. The “Admin” Folder

Pack these in your Carry-On, never your checked luggage:

• Original Birth Certificate + Translation.

• Marriage Certificate.

• Degree Transcripts (Originals).

• Driving License (You can drive on your SL license for 12 months in the UK).

• “No Claims Bonus” Letter: If you drove in Sri Lanka, get a letter from your insurer stating you had no accidents. This can save you hundreds of pounds on car insurance abroad.

5. Medicine

• Antibiotics: In the UK/Aus/Canada, you cannot buy Amoxicillin over the counter. Bring a course or two (with a prescription).

• Siddhalepa / Samahan: You can find these abroad, but they cost 5x the price. Strip the cardboard boxes to save space and stuff them in your shoes.

• Spectacles: Get a fresh eye test and buy two pairs of glasses in Colombo. In the UK, a pair of prescription glasses can cost £150+ (Rs. 60,000). In Pettah, it’s Rs. 5,000.

6. Space Saving Hack: Vacuum Bags

If you are packing pillows, towels, or fluffy jackets, you need Vacuum Compression Bags. You put the clothes in, suck the air out with a vacuum cleaner, and they shrink by 70%.

Check Prices for Vacuum Bags

Final Tip: The “First Day” Box

Pack a small box/bag right at the top of your suitcase with:

• A towel.

• Toothbrush/Paste.

• One packet of Maggie noodles (or biscuits).

• Your phone charger.

When you land, you will be exhausted. You won’t want to unpack everything just to shower and eat. Trust me, this box saves your sanity.