The 4 Best VPNs for Sri Lanka in 2022

Sri Lanka’s Internet Freedom Score is 51/100. Although the government didn’t block social media sites during the Covid pandemic, digital activism and freedom of expression remain touchy issues. A VPN is the most reliable way to keep your online activity private and to access social media and news sites without restrictions. Read on to find the best VPN for Sri Lanka.

“VPN Use Spikes in Sri Lanka after Social Media Ban” was one newspaper headline about Sri Lanka in early April 2022.

More and more Sri Lankans have realized that the only way to access the internet without restrictions is with a VPN. The government blocks sites in a bid to exert control on its citizens.

In April 2022 the Sri Lankan government restricted access to Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp. This followed protests due to the state of the economy, which has slowly been declining because of high inflation and fuel shortages among other things.

This isn’t the first time that the government has reacted to protests by blocking social media and news sites. Over the years, it arbitrarily restricts sites to “maintain calm” and “prevent slander of senior politicians”.

Journalists have had to self-censor for fear of reprisals. Individuals aren’t safe either; certain topics of discussion can lead to arrest and fines.

If you have a Sri Lanka VPN you can do whatever you want online without worrying about the government spying on you.

Why Use a VPN in Sri Lanka?

VPN user numbers are growing across the globe. Many are waking up to the fact that their online space isn't as safe as it once was. Also, they'd like to be able to access content that may otherwise be unavailable.

VPNs cost money, and users who are new to them want to know why they should pay monthly or annually to mitigate risks that may never come to pass.

In Sri Lanka, users need virtual private software because of the government's attitude towards internet freedom.

There are several reasons why a VPN for Sri Lanka is a good idea:

• The first is that you'll be able to bypass government censorship. Whether you are a private citizen, a journalist or a visitor to this country, you don't want anyone looking into your online activity.

• If you are looking for broader entertainment options a VPN is a good way to get them. World over, not just in Sri Lanka, the widest use for VPNs is to access platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer and other similar platforms.

• Cricket fans can watch any match, anywhere in the world throughout the year. A VPN gives you access to sports channels like ESPN, Hotstar, SonyLIV, SkySports, CricBuzz and more.

• A VPN is a good way to access news platforms without restrictions. News media companies in Sri Lanka have been victims of government restrictions over the years, and more than 15 news websites have been blocked for a long time. International media sites are also blocked from time to time. A VPN ensures that you have access to independent news sources without restrictions.

• You'll be safe every time you use public Wi-Fi. Every time you go online using the Wi-Fi in your coffee shop or local library you're vulnerable. Hackers use them because they offer vulnerabilities that are easy to exploit. A VPN hides your location and your activity and no one can see your online activity.

• Use a VPN to find the best deals online. Many people don't know it, but a lot of companies offer different prices for their products depending on the region. If you have a VPN, you can hide your location so that you can find the best deals. Over the years, you'll make significant savings.

• A VPN helps you avoid bandwidth throttling by your ISP. Many internet service providers limit bandwidth if they see a user streaming or gaming because these are bandwidth-intensive activities. With a VPN, the ISP cannot see your activity, so they cannot throttle your bandwidth.

• Using a VPN allows you to game without restrictions. Some games are restricted by the government, while others aren't available to gamers in Sri Lanka because of geo-blocks. You can access gaming platforms worldwide if you use a VPN as it hides your true location.

• A virtual private network allows you to torrent files without restrictions. Torrenting is a popular way for users to share files, but it is restricted because of copyright issues. With a VPN you have free access to movies, music and any other large files you'd like to download or share.

How Does a VPN Work?

If you’re a first-time user of a VPN you may be wondering how it works to do all the things we’ve talked about above.

When you install a VPN on a computer or a mobile phone it redirects all your data through its servers. The first thing you’re asked to do when you log in is to choose a server. Alternatively, you can let the VPN choose the most optimal server locations.

After that, all data to and from your device is passed through a special tunnel where it’s hidden from anyone who may be tracking you.

A VPN takes the additional step of encrypting data so that if your data is intercepted for any reason, it’s all gibberish anyway.

The best VPN companies use military-grade encryption to keep user data safe. These are the same protocols that are used by law enforcement agencies and the military.

Many take additional measures to ensure that user data never leaks. Some, for example, pass data through 2 server locations, double-encrypting it in the process so that it's even harder to crack.

VPN companies also have a kill switch, so that if your VPN connection drops for any reason your internet disconnects immediately to prevent any leaks.

You can read more about how a VPN works in this detailed post…

What Makes a Good VPN for Sri Lanka?

There are certain features you should be looking for if you want a Sri Lanka VPN that will keep you secure at all times:

• Look for a VPN that takes security seriously – it should, at the very least, have AES-256 encryption and a kill switch. Make sure that the service doesn't keep user logs, and that whatever information the company collects is trashed within a short time.
• Choose a VPN that can connect multiple devices – most people own several devices, and families can end up owning 10 or more devices. A good VPN allows simultaneous connections and you can install it on a router…
• The best VPN should give you access to streaming services, sports and news – you should be able to bypass geoblocks and access sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime, as well as news sites and live sports channels.
• Price matters – some VPNs are expensive, but they don't offer more than cheaper brands. Look for a VPN that gives you a superior feature combo at a price that you can afford in the long term.
• A 30-day money back guarantee is a good idea in case the VPN you choose doesn't meet your needs.

How to Use a VPN (in Sri Lanka)

It is easy to install a VPN in Sri Lanka. Here’s what you need to do:

• Look for a VPN that suits your needs. This post discussed 4 of the best VPNs for Sri Lanka, but if you're not happy with those you can look around for one that meets your specifications.
• Register for the VPN and then pay for it and download the app onto your device. VPNs have native apps for different devices, so choose the right one for your type of device.
• Log in to the app and then choose a server, or let the VPN choose one for you. The server locations you choose depends on what content you want to access. If, for example, you want to watch Netflix USA, choose a server in the United States. If you're looking for BBC iPlayer, choose server locations in the UK. You can also access social media sites, news websites and live sports channels.

The 4 Best VPNs for Sri Lanka

Surfshark

Surfshark has everything you need in a VPN for Sri Lanka. It is cheap, fast, and secure and it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. This VPN is relatively new in the market, but it performs as well as those that have been around for years and it is often a better choice.

It has a wide server network and uses the best security protocols in the industry. The service is a good choice if you’re looking to stream because it gives you access to platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer and hundreds of others.

Surfshark also lets you connect to sports channels so you can stream games live.

It comes with automatic Wi-Fi protection, MultiHop, split tunneling and other security features including a kill switch and protection against DNS leaks.

The company has a wide server network, and although it doesn’t have servers in Malaysia, it maintains a good number of them in India, Malaysia and Singapore.

You can use Surfshark on Windows, Android, iOS, macOS and Linux.

Visit Surfshark Now

NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Sri Lanka. Not only is it fast, but it is also secure, with 256-AES encryption, DNS leak protection and a kill switch among others.

The company has a strict no-logging policy, which means your data will never be collected. It has been asked to provide user details several, and the no-logs policy has proved extremely beneficial in those instances. The company is in Panama, which means it doesn’t have to comply with any requests for information.

NordVPN has one of the biggest server networks in the industry. They are located in countries all around the world, so you a connection is guaranteed wherever you are.

It connects to most streaming services, and you can also use it to connect to news sites and live sports channels.

The software works for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS and Linux.

Visit NordVPN Now

VyprVPN

VyprVPN may not have as wide a server network as Surfshark or NordVPN, but it is one of the best VPNs in Sri Lanka. It uses AES-256 encryption as well as the Chameleon protocol for added protection. It also has a kill switch and DNS leak prevention.

The company has a strict no-logs policy, so you never have to worry about your data falling into the wrong hands.

One advantage that VyprVPN has over many others is that the company maintains its server fleet. By managing its infrastructure, it guarantees very little downtime, and users are guaranteed high speeds at all times.

You can use VyprVPN on Windows, Android, macOS, iOS and Linux. It is also a good choice for streaming, watching live sports and accessing news websites.

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ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the oldest providers of VPN services, and it has continued to provide superior service over the years. Although it faltered during the Covid pandemic, it has since recovered and users now enjoy the same superb service they did before.

It uses AES-256 bit encryption, with additional security features like a kill switch and DNS leak prevention.

You can use ExpressVPN to stream TV shows and movies because it is fast. It is also one of the best for watching live sports and gaming.

ExpressVPN has a large server network so you’re able to connect from anywhere in the world. It works on Windows, Android, macOS, iOS and Linux.

Visit ExpressVPN Now

FAQ

• Are VPNs legal in Sri Lanka?

VPNs are legal in Sri Lanka. However, the government regularly censors websites, including social media and news media.

You can use VPNs in most countries around the world, but you need to be aware of the government’s stance on certain websites. If you use a VPN in Sri Lanka to access a website that is banned or restricted and the government finds out, you may be liable to a fine or worse.

However, the beauty of VPNs is that they are designed to be undetectable. Unless someone looks directly at your device, they will not know that you’ve been using one.

• How to get a Sri Lanka IP address?

To get a Sri Lanka IP address, buy and download a VPN and then choose a server to connect to. The server will assign you a different IP in the country you’ve connected through.

• Can I use TOR in Sri Lanka?

Many countries want to block TOR but it has proved to be impossible. Sri Lanka is no exception. The only country that has blocked the dark web successfully is China because most Chinese sites are hosted in the country, and the internet infrastructure was created with censorship in mind.

Conclusion

To find the best VPN for Sri Lanka there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is security; don’t choose a VPN that may compromise your privacy in any way. If it leaks your details authorities may come knocking sooner or later.

Think about how many connections you get for every license, as well as how easy the VPN is to install and use.

Customer support is also important. The best Sri Lanka VPN is one that responds to user queries and is quick to solve problems.