The overall rating of Internet freedom in Sri Lanka has improved in recent years, but is still well below Western standards. Dassanayake said the decision to block the sites was made after learning that the platforms were involved in spreading and amplifying hate speech.
For these reasons, it’s worth considering using a virtual private network (VPN) if you want to go online in Sri Lanka with a VPN, you can bypass website and app censorship, protect your privacy, and unlock a range of geo-restricted content such as Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, and BBC iPlayer.
The VPN is easy to use. The software creates an encrypted tunnel that forwards all Internet traffic to your device via a proxy server. In this case, it is almost impossible for hackers or government agencies to spy on your online behavior. This is a relief considering how widespread privacy concerns are these days. In most parts of the world, with the exception of Iran, North Korea and possibly the United Arab Emirates, it is perfectly legal to use a VPN.
NordVPN
NordVPN is best VPN for its security features, starting with its military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, which is so strong that no organization in the world – not even governments or research labs – can crack it permanently. And then there’s one of NordVPN’s unique features: dedicated servers. This includes a dual VPN server that routes your data through 2 sites and 2 layers of encryption – and an obfuscation server that hides the fact that you’re using a VPN from the Sri Lankan government. Last but not least, NordVPN has one of the best “no-logging” policies ever; it doesn’t store traffic, IP addresses, timestamps, or browsing history.
NordVPN is also very powerful and easy to use. With 5,500 servers in 59 countries, they have one of the largest networks in the industry – and offer a rich selection of VPN protocols and IPs for users to choose from. Their app is lightweight, easy to use, and compatible with all major devices, including routers and gaming consoles.
NordVPN’s mobile app has the same features as the desktop version – which is convenient. Last but not least, the holding company is based in neutral Panama, which makes it practically immune to blocking requests from big government agencies like the FBI. If you want to stay safe and anonymous while using a VPN in and around Sri Lanka, NordVPN is worth a look.
Private Internet Access
MACE is a comprehensive ad-blocking feature for Private Internet Access (PIA). It protects your privacy by blocking websites that are known to infect users with malware, adware, and other malicious content. I found it very user-friendly because I didn’t have to install any plug-ins or add-ons – it just worked.
VPN does not store logs. As the name suggests, it offers a high level of security and privacy. So you don’t have to worry about your personal data being collected or shared.
PIA offers very good download speeds. I tested it on several international servers and found that the speeds are mostly inconsistent. Although in some places (such as the UK and some US servers) they are not great. However, since PIA provides a wide range of servers, sooner or later you will find one that offers the speeds you need.
PIA allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. I was able to share my subscription with a friend so we could all play online together on the same (previously limited) map.
Take advantage of the 30 day money back guarantee and give it a try. When I finished testing PIA, I submitted a ticket to cancel my subscription. Customer service took some time to respond, but I got my money back within 10 days.
CyberGhostVPN
CyberGhost has over 6,600 servers in over 89 countries, including 24 servers in Colombo, Sri Lanka. All offshore servers are sophisticated enough to bypass geo-restrictions and other forms of VPN traffic filtering techniques. The servers in Sri Lanka offer higher speeds, but do not allow access to websites that are blocked in the country. Therefore, you need to choose a server that meets your requirements.
CyberGhost is based in Romania. The provider has a strict no-documentation policy and its jurisdiction in Romania requires data protection for its customers, which is crucial for Sri Lankan bloggers and journalists.
For Sri Lankan users, CyberGhost has the advantage of being suitable for almost all purposes: secure torrenting, Netflix streaming, unblocked social media sites, etc.
Whether you’re looking for better data protection or unlimited online access in Sri Lanka, CyberGhost is a great VPN, especially considering its $2.25/month and 45-day refund window, as well as 7 simultaneous connections.
VyprVPN
VyprVPN is another provider you should keep an eye on if you’re looking for the best VPN for Sri Lanka. The service is based in Switzerland and has around 700 servers. VyprVPN is known for its Chameleon protocol, a solution that allows users to use VPNs in areas like China and Saudi Arabia without being detected since VPN users are blocked there.
The Chameleon technology works by repackaging metadata into collections that are undetectable even after deep packet inspection. This also helps the service bypass any kind of bandwidth throttling that ISPs may impose. It is known that VyprVPN logs user activity to some extent, but when asked, it is claimed that only details like time and amount of data transferred are logged. The service offers a VyprVPN app that can be used on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux or Android-based devices, as well as a VyperDNS service that allows access to geographically restricted websites.
ExpressVPN
Express VPN, the current market leader and our editor’s preferred VPN provider in Sri Lanka. It has over two thousand servers in 94 countries around the world. VPN server locations include countries like Argentina, Canada, Turkey, Mexico, and even Sri Lanka.
ExpressVPN Sri Lanka is compatible with all major devices and operating systems. It offers software and mobile apps for users in Sri Lanka. It also offers browser extensions in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari browsers.
Besides, you can use Express VPN Sri Lanka as a MediaStreamer on PlayStation, Xbox, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, routers and other devices. Moreover, ExpressVPN’s 256-bit AES encryption is fully focused on protecting customers online privacy; anonymous web browsing and protecting customers from the Sri Lankan government and ISPs. It also enables unblocking of websites and streaming services and provides privacy protection for torrenting.
PureVPN
PureVPN is a highly secure, fast, and reliable VPN that allows users in Sri Lanka to overcome blocking and protect their privacy from online surveillance. The VPN client is user-friendly and provides easy access to all features, so you can fully enjoy the security and flexibility that PureVPN represents. PureVPN allows you to stream content seamlessly, even if it’s with geographical restrictions, and the Usage Intelligence feature helps you find the fastest option that suits your needs. They have servers in Colombo if you want to keep your Sri Lankan IP address but increase security.
Which is the Best VPN for Sri Lanka?
Surprisingly, the internet in the country is quite good. However, as mentioned earlier, government surveillance is widespread. For this reason, we focused our initial criteria on security issues.
The factors we used are as follows.
- Strong military-standard encryption for optimal protection
- A provider with a “no-login” policy
- Content that can bypass government censorship and geographic restrictions
- Providers with high network stability to reduce dropouts
- Content that can bypass government censorship and geographic restrictions
- Fast servers that work well in Sri Lanka and the region
- Mobile apps for multiple device platforms, including Amazon Firestick
Summary
By now, you should know all the reasons why you should use a VPN in Sri Lanka. You never know when the government will introduce another social media blockade, and a VPN will help you bypass it when you need it.
You should choose a VPN with a good server network, but you should also choose a VPN with strong security to hide your surveillance and protect you from online threats.
ExpressVPN won the Sri Lanka VPN crown with its large server network and excellent security. Besides, you have nothing to lose thanks to the money-back guarantee.
AWSM TIPS
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