Every ATM in Arugam / Pottuvil just said cannot dispense - is this the August thing
Arrived from Ella that afternoon. Seylan spat the card, HNB queue said empty, Pottuvil People's had a handwritten no cash note. Hostel is cash-only for the room balance. Is there a working machine hiding or do we eat until someone drives to Akkaraipattu.
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3 Answers from travellers
Peak week the village and Pottuvil machines run dry by afternoon, especially weekends. Try first thing Saturday morning, then the BOC / People's in Pottuvil town, then a day trip toward Akkaraipattu or even Monaragala if you are desperate. Better: pull a fat wad in Ella, Wellawaya or Colombo before you come. Cards work at some cafes now, not at the surf shop or the room.
We got lucky at 8:15am on the Seylan. By noon it was out again. Split cash between two people. Do not keep the week's rupees in the board bag on the beach.
If a helpful guy offers to cash USD at a special rate outside the dead ATM, that is not a service, that is a story.
Scam Watch: ella
People outside stations offer to "help" buy tickets but charge large markups. They may buy cheap third-class tickets and sell as more expensive classes.
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