How much should I tip guides, drivers, and restaurant staff in Sri Lanka?

Tipping is not strictly mandatory in Sri Lanka, but it is highly appreciated given the economic situation, and it forms a large part of the income for workers in the tourism sector.

Here are the standard, fair guidelines:

1. Private driver hired for multiple days: 1,500 to 2,500 LKR per day total (given at the end of the trip). Adjust up if they acted as a great guide, down if they just drove.
2. Safari Jeep driver: 1,000 to 2,000 LKR per jeep for a half day safari. Hand it to the driver directly. If a separate park tracker joins you, tip them a similar amount separately.
3. Restaurants: Check the bill first. Most tourist restaurants add a 10 percent service charge. If they do, no extra tip is needed, though leaving small change is nice. If there is no service charge, 10 percent of the bill is standard. At small local "rice and curry" spots, tipping is not expected, but leaving 50 to 100 LKR is a kind gesture.
4. Hotel porters: 100 to 200 LKR per bag.
5. Room cleaning staff: 200 to 500 LKR per day, left on the pillow or given directly.

Your goal is to reward good service without handing out massive foreign currency notes that distort the local economy. Tip in local Rupees whenever possible.