Many Sri Lankans may be surprised to find themselves unable to log in to online banking services or watch local TV channels from abroad. These regional restrictions, called geoblocking, are put in place because of copyright issues, but bypassing them is possible.
Though a proxy server will get the job done, those serious about personal security prefer to get a Sri Lanka IP address through a virtual private network (VPN).
Key Takeaways: Get a Sri Lankan IP Address
- A Sri Lankan IP address can unblock Sri Lankan streaming sites, online banking services and more.
- Switching to the new IP address is possible with a proxy server, but using a VPN is safer.
- The best VPN for the job is ExpressVPN, but you can also use Surfshark or CyberGhost.
VPNs are the best way to access Sri Lankan content from outside the country, since they have security features that proxy servers don’t. With strong encryption and data privacy, users remain safe from threats. You can also check out the best VPNs for Sri Lanka if you’re within the country.
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04/15/2023 Facts checked
Rewritten with new VPN providers and information on using a Sri Lankan IP.
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ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Sri Lanka due to its powerful features and the ability to bypass geographical restrictions.
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ExpressVPN, Surfshark and CyberGhost all have Sri Lankan servers.
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Yes, but the government tries to prevent access to these apps even if they work.
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Quick Guide: How to Get a Sri Lanka IP Address With a VPN
Our VPN of choice is ExpressVPN, which has Sri Lankan servers. We’ll use it as our example for getting a Sri Lankan IP address.
- Log In or Register
Register for an ExpressVPN account or log in to an existing one.
- Download the VPN App
Once you’ve paid for a plan, download the desktop client or mobile app. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if you purchase a plan. Note that you can enjoy a seven-day free trial on mobile devices.
- Connect to the VPN Server
Launch the VPN and open the server list. Select the Sri Lanka server location and click on the big power button. You can now access geoblocked Sri Lankan websites and streaming services.
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What Are the Best VPNs For Getting a Sri Lankan IP?
To get on this list, a VPN must have servers in the country, so users outside Sri Lanka can change their real IP address, but that’s not the only requirement. We’ve found that not many major VPN providers have Sri Lankan IP addresses. The three VPNs below, however, can easily unblock geo-restricted content.
- ExpressVPN — The best VPN for Sri Lanka
- Surfshark — Affordable yet packed with features
- CyberGhost — Powerful VPN with a 45-day money-back guarantee
Security & Privacy
A reliable VPN will hide your online activities from everyone, including the government, your internet service provider and cybercriminals. There won’t be any DNS leaks or opportunities for online identity theft.
Speed
Even though VPNs will always slow your internet speed, the best VPNs barely make an impact and tend to have unlimited bandwidth, forgoing data caps. You can enjoy online streaming without slowdowns. However, it’s important to remember that your distance from the Sri Lankan server does affect the speed of your connection.
Streaming Services
Good VPNs unblock Sri Lankan streaming services effortlessly, including Netflix Sri Lanka’s exclusive library. Watching Sri Lankan television on Dialog TV with your subscription is also easy with a VPN.
The 3 Best VPNs for Getting a Sri Lanka IP Address
Now that you know what it takes for a VPN to make it onto our list, we can cover our specific picks. While ExpressVPN is the top choice, Surfshark and CyberGhost are good choices if you prefer a different VPN service. They’re more affordable and have different feature sets, which satisfy different users.
1. ExpressVPN
Pros:
- Fast speeds
- Independently audited
- Unblocks everything
Cons:
- Expensive plans
- No anonymous payment
- Kape Technologies affiliation
Few VPNs are better than ExpressVPN, and we believe it’s the best VPN for getting a Sri Lankan IP address. It unblocks all popular streaming services — from BBC iPlayer to Hulu — while users enjoy fast speeds. Thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol and other protocols, your internet traffic is completely protected. You can activate features such as split tunneling and a kill switch on all devices.
Users can install ExpressVPN on most devices, including routers and Amazon Fire TV, while browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Edge are also available. Even though ExpressVPN is expensive, the plans allow access to a large network of server locations and a proven no-logs policy. Read our ExpressVPN review to learn more, or try it out yourself with the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
2. Surfshark
Pros:
- Lots of features
- Affordable
- Dynamic MultiHop servers
Cons:
- Higher latency detected
- Website might collect data
- Some servers deny torrenting
Not many VPN providers can combine a large feature set with affordable prices the way Surfshark can. It comes with both common VPN features and more unique offerings. You can create custom server combinations with Dynamic MultiHop, including for Sri Lanka, by routing your traffic through another country first. Doing so allows for even greater protection.
Surfshark has higher latency, making it unsuitable for online gaming where speed is of the essence. However, it remains one of the best choices for unblocking Sri Lankan streaming sites. Our Surfshark review goes into more detail.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
3. CyberGhost
Pros:
- Powerful VPN automation
- User-friendly UI
- 45-day money-back return
Cons:
- Slower download speeds
- Kape Technologies background
CyberGhost is our third choice if you want to switch to a Sri Lankan IP address. We like how solid the features are, such as the kill switch and split tunneling, the latter working with URLs instead of apps. Getting a dedicated IP address upon purchase sets CyberGhost apart from most other providers, which offer dedicated IPs as separate paid packages. There’s also an ad and malware blocker.
Some users aren’t a big fan of how CyberGhost disperses its advanced settings, but it’s nothing a bit of practice can’t fix. Unlike the other VPNs, CyberGhost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, but only if you purchase one of the extended plans. The large server network further helps it score extra points with us. Feel free to read our CyberGhost review if you’re interested.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Get a Sri Lanka IP Address?
Upon checking the best free VPN services and their locations, we found none offering a Sri Lankan IP address. These services include TunnelBear, Proton VPN and Windscribe. There may be other free VPNs that have servers in Sri Lanka, but we don’t recommend them.
A free VPN has many ways to stay in business, ranging from offering paid plans to selling user data. When you use these apps, you’re effectively compromising your internet security. It’s possible to use the premium VPNs for free if you pay for a subscription and ask for a refund within the 30-day money-back guarantee period. In CyberGhost’s case, you have 45 days to try it out.
ExpressVPN and Surfshark have seven-day free trials on mobile devices running Android and iOS, and Surfshark offers that on macOS as well. CyberGhost has a different scheme, letting users try it for 24 hours on PCs. Android users get a three-day trial, while iOS devices have it extended to seven days.
Many Sri Lankans use VPNs to bypass censorship, but too many rely on unsafe free VPNs that steal data. Instead of staying safe, the apps they use are security hazards. Regardless of the lack of proper free VPN services for getting a Sri Lankan IP address, there are still options for those who don’t want to spend money.
What Are the Dangers of Using VPNs for a Sri Lanka IP Address?
Currently, no laws prevent Sri Lankans from using a VPN to get a Sri Lankan IP address outside the country. Although VPNs are legal, the government actively restricts access to them in Sri Lanka. Social media apps are also restricted, although the government has sometimes lifted such bans.
Despite passing the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in 2022, which is based on the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) many European countries follow, the Sri Lankan government still actively surveils its citizens. It has been known to shut down peaceful protests and dissenting opinions from reporters. Privacy may be a right in Sri Lanka, but it’s one the authorities elect to ignore when it suits them.
Since 2020, Sri Lankan cybercrime rates have been high. Therefore, users should stay away from suspicious sites and only stick to safe websites and services.
How to Get IP Addresses for Other Asian Countries
You can apply similar steps from our ExpressVPN tutorial above to get an IP address from another country. In addition to Sri Lanka, ExpressVPN also has servers in Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand. The same steps should work with any other provider. Even if the server network and user interface differ, many VPNs operate similarly.
Final Thoughts
Getting a Sri Lankan IP address will let internet users watch Sri Lankan TV like Dish TV and Dialog TV from outside the country, The same applies to accessing online banking services and geoblocked websites. As opposed to an unencrypted proxy server, a VPN offers more security and tends to bypass restrictions better.
Our prime pick is ExpressVPN. It’s the best VPN around, but alternatives like Surfshark and CyberGhost have Sri Lankan IP addresses too. All three outperform suspicious free VPNs that inject malware or don’t work. You can also trust their no-logs policies.
Have you managed to get a Sri Lankan IP address in the past? What VPN service did you use? We’re excited to hear about it in the comments section below. Thank you for reading.
The post How to Get a Sri Lanka IP Address With a VPN in 2023: Access Sri Lankan Services From Anywhere appeared first on Cloudwards.
