Can I buy a tourist SIM at Mattala Airport?

You can buy a tourist SIM card at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), but the whole service operation really depends on whether scheduled commercial flights arrive. Usually, the telecom counters only get going after an international flight touches down.

Since Mattala Airport receives way less traffic than Colombo, it is strongly advised to arrange an eSIM before you travel, if your phone supports it. That way, you will have instant connectivity the moment you land, without having to deal with any possible closures at the physical kiosks.