How to get an IP address for Sri Lanka in 2024

Many Sri Lankan streaming sites, such as Ask Cable Vision, City Cable, Dialog TV, Dish TV, and some banking, sporting, gaming, and gambling sites, restrict access based on your location. This means that without a Sri Lanka IP address, you may be blocked from viewing certain content or accessing accounts if you’re traveling or living outside of Sri Lanka.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help. VPNs work by encrypting all the traffic flowing to and from your device and routing it via an intermediary server of your choice. Selecting a server in Sri Lanka will replace your real IP address with a Sri Lanka IP address until you sever the connection. This means you can access Sri Lankan content from abroad or anywhere in the world.

An additional bonus to using a VPN is the encryption aspect — this makes the connection virtually unhackable and keeps your information out of the reach of any snoopers, including hackers or your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This post reveals how to get a Sri Lankan IP address and the best VPNs for the job.

How to get a Sri Lanka IP address

VPNs are typically designed to be beginner-friendly and are remarkably easy to set up and get started with.

Here’s how to get a Sri Lankan IP address:

1. Settle on a service that meets your requirements (our recommendation is ExpressVPN).
2. Once your payment has been successfully authenticated, download the native software for your device.
3. Connect to a server in Sri Lanka.
4. Try accessing geo-restricted Sri Lankan content. It might not work right away but don’t panic. Clear your cache and cookies and try again.

TIP: HOW TO GET A PAID VPN FOR FREE: Not in the market for a long-term commitment? If you don’t want to pay for a service that you won’t use for more than a couple of weeks, then we recommend that you take advantage of ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll need to make an upfront payment with a valid credit card or PayPal account, but all refund requests are processed without any probing questions. In fact, the company has a ‘no-questions-asked’ policy.

We explain the merits of each individual provider below, but here’s a brief summary of our top VPNs for getting an IP address in Sri Lanka.

Note that not many VPNs operate servers in Sri Lanka so the choice is limited.

Best VPNs for a Sri Lankan IP address:

1. ExpressVPN: Our top pick for a stable IP address for Sri Lanka. Fast servers, consistent customer support, easy-to-use apps, and an uncanny ability to unblock geo-restricted media make it an excellent choice. TIP In our testing we found that all ExpressVPN plans work well.
2. CyberGhost: Over a dozen Sri Lanka servers. The fastest VPN for streaming. Use on up to seven devices. Includes 24/7 live chat support and a strict no-logs policy.
3. HideMyAss: Solid encryption standards and a vast number of server locations across the world, including Sri Lanka. Proven ability to bypass regional restrictions on streaming media services.

VPN services are a dime a dozen, but that doesn’t mean they offer a comparable service. Our list of the best VPNs for a Sri Lankan IP address is based on the following factors:

• Offers fast, reliable connections
• Maintains several servers in Sri Lanka
• Is able to unblock geo-restricted content
• Utilizes robust encryption protocols
• Provides apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS
• Doesn’t keep any records of personally identifiable information

The best VPN to get an IP address for Sri Lanka – at a glance

We’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. If you prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with ExpressVPN – our #1 choice for getting a Sri Lankan IP address.

The best VPNs to get an IP address for Sri Lanka

Here’s our full rundown of the best VPNs for getting a Sri Lankan IP address.

1. ExpressVPN

Dec 2024

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for a Sri Lankan IP address for many reasons, including its reliability, fast speeds, and strong security.

It offers more than 3,000 high-speed servers spread across the globe. There are options to connect to a server in 94 countries, including Sri Lanka.

One of ExpressVPN’s standout features is its uncanny ability to unblock content from various geo-restricted sites, including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Fox, Sky, Acorn TV, Crunchy Roll, and more. It enables you to stream HD and 4K video without any buffering.

ExpressVPN ensures you remain hidden and secure online by leveraging military-grade encryption protocols. An internet kill switch, perfect forward secrecy, and protection against DNS leaks are all part of the package.

What’s more, the company has an internal policy of not storing detailed user traffic logs. Some non-identifying metadata is retained, but that’s in place to help improve the quality of the service. One ExpressVPN account allows for five devices to connect at the same time.

In case of any issues, there’s 24/7 customer support via live chat to assist you. Privacy-conscious users will be happy to note that there’s the option of paying via Bitcoin.

ExpressVPN offers apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS.

OUR TOP PICK FOR SRI LANKA:ExpressVPN is our #1 choice for a Sri Lankan IP address. It offers a fast, secure service and is great for unblocking streaming sites. Try it risk-free with the 30-day no-quibble money-back guarantee.

Read our review of ExpressVPN.

2. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has over a dozen servers in Colombo, Sri Lanka — far more than most VPNs on the market. In fact, this VPN has one of the biggest server networks around with approximately 8,000 servers available in 90+ countries. What’s more, CyberGhost is the fastest VPN we’ve tested, averaging 548 Mbps. Needless to say, it’s highly suited to streaming, torrenting, and even online gaming.

With your CyberGhost account, you can secure up to seven devices simultaneously. Speaking of security, there’s 256-bit AES encryption, protection from DNS and IPv6 leaks, and an automatic kill switch feature. A strict no-logs service, CyberGhost even has its own password manager and a security suite with antivirus for Windows. Need help? 24/7 live chat and email support are at hand.

CyberGhost has desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS) apps. You can also download apps for Amazon Fire TV and Android TV as well as browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Manual setup is required for routers.

UNRIVALLED SPEEDS:CyberGhost has over a dozen servers in Sri Lanka and some 8,000 worldwide. Fastest speeds tested and works with Netflix US. Connect seven devices at once. Strict no-logs VPN with 24/7 support. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s our full CyberGhost review.

3. HideMyAss

HideMyAss operates over 900 servers in more than 190 countries. It’s best known for its critical mass of users — with over 400 million and counting, it’s clear that the service packs a punch and resonates with VPN enthusiasts everywhere.

There are two options for servers in Sri Lanka, as well as many more around the world. The service is fast, stable, and has the ability to circumvent restrictions around many streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.

HideMyAss uses 256-bit AES encryption, 4,096-bit RSA keys, and perfect forward secrecy. Unfortunately, it logs user data by default, including IP addresses, but you can change this within the app settings. You can contact the support team via live chat if you run into any issues.

Apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. A single connection allows for five devices to connect concurrently.

VERSATILE VPN:HideMyAss has been a major player in the VPN industry for a long time. It works with many streaming services and has solid speeds. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full review of HideMyAss

Should I use a free VPN to get a Sri Lankan IP address?

Straight off the bat, free VPNs are a bad idea.

Yes, the internet is swarming with free VPN options, but that doesn’t make them any good.

Remember the saying: there’s no such thing as a free lunch? That certainly applies to free VPN services.

We understand these services are tempting because all you need to sign up is an email address (or a Facebook account). Typically, free VPNs won’t ask you for credit card details to authenticate your account. But that’s where the charm ends.

Free VPNs typically have a limited number of server locations. In our research, we discovered it’s rare to find paid VPNs that have servers in Sri Lanka. This means you’ll be hard-pressed to find a free VPN that offers support for South Asian countries. Even if you do, it’ll most likely be secured with weak encryption standards.

What makes matters worse is that many free VPNs throttle bandwidth if there’s network congestion (when too many users try to log on at the same time). They also have restrictive data caps and lack decent customer support.

Past experience shows that some free VPN providers mine user data and sell it to third-party advertisers. One has even been known to utilize idle bandwidth to build botnet armies. If your goal with a VPN is to stream content or securely access financial services, then you’re unlikely to achieve that by opting for a free VPN.

Overall, we reiterate that it’s in your best interests to avoid free VPNs if possible. If you only need a VPN for a short period, follow the tip we outlined at the beginning of this article to avoid paying hefty subscription fees. Beyond that, a paid service is worth it even if you have to pay a few dollars each month.

Can I use a VPN to watch Sri Lankan television online?

If you register for a VPN and connect to a server in Sri Lanka, you’ll be in possession of a Sri Lankan IP address. For all intents and purposes, this means host websites and apps will assume you’re actually located in the country.

You’ll be able to bypass geo-restriction filters for television channels like Ask Cable Vision, City Cable, Dialog TV, and Dish TV and watch their live streams. The local Netflix library should also be accessible.

Note that some streaming providers may require you to sign up for an account prior to streaming. This may require you to have a local address and credit card.

Why should I use a VPN in Sri Lanka?

Using a VPN is not just beneficial for those outside Sri Lanka, using one within the country has its advantages too. Sri Lanka’s internet freedoms have been on the decline following the country’s civil war. The government has a problematic history of jailing web journalists due to legislation known as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Some activists argue that these laws have been twisted to benefit the state and incarcerate critics of those in power.

Torrenting sits in a legal grey area in Sri Lanka. Technically you’re allowed to engage in the practice as long as you don’t download copyrighted material. VPNs can help cover your digital footprint so no one will be able to identify you even if you’re regularly downloading torrent files.

Comparitech does not condone or encourage any violations of copyright laws. Please consider the law and ensuing risks before embarking on this route.

What are the other methods to obtain a Sri Lankan IP address?

VPNs might be the most efficient and easiest method to get a Sri Lankan IP address, but they’re not the only option. You could potentially get one by using the Tor browser to hide your real location.

The Tor browser is a product of the Tor project — which was initially built as a project of the US military and is aimed at quelling state-sponsored mass surveillance and network intrusion. The Tor browser is free to download and has sophisticated encryption and anonymity standards.

The Tor browser is popular with journalists, human rights activists, and whistleblowers as the intention was to protect people on the web as they seek to promote the truth. Having said that, it definitely wasn’t made for things like online streaming or accessing financial institution data.

This means Tor is painfully slow and isn’t the best if you’re looking to watch Netflix HD streams. Plus, it has gained popularity with criminals using it for illegal activities, so the use of the Tor browser can raise red flags from law enforcement.

Another option is to make use of a free proxy server. However, these are not entirely dissimilar to free VPNs as they, too, operate with data caps, a small selection of locations, and questionable privacy policies.

Plus, most streaming providers like Netflix have been blocking proxies for a while and are generally considered a poor fit to stream shows online. Moreover, proxy servers don’t encrypt your traffic like a VPN does. They only encrypt your browser traffic, so other apps are unprotected.

Is it legal to use an IP address from Sri Lanka?

Using an IP address from Sri Lanka is legal, and you can obtain one by using a VPN. VPNs are legal in Sri Lanka, and they allow you to access geo-restricted content, secure your connection on public Wi-Fi, and protect your privacy.

However, it’s a must to choose a reliable and trustworthy VPN service to ensure your online security and privacy. Using one from our above list means you will have no problems in getting a IP address from Sri Lanka.

How will I know if my location has been changed to Sri Lanka?

If you want to make absolutely sure that your location has been changed to Sri Lanka, there are a couple of things you can do. First, you should be able to see your server location and IP address within the VPN app. The location should be in Sri Lanka but if you want to double check this, simply go to our IP address check tool. Alternatively, whatismyip.com will do the job. Both show you your IP address and the corresponding location. This should show as Sri Lanka.