Sri Lanka privacy guide 2024 - how to bypass censorship with a VPN for Sri Lanka

ExpressVPN Demo

ExpressVPN is a VPN giant that offers watertight privacy with the most innovative features on the market and over ten years of experience. It’s a top performer across a host of various categories. It unblocks Netflix US, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and other major streaming platforms with ease and also offers unmatched levels of service for gaming, downloads, VoIP calls, and similar data-intensive tasks.

Although ExpressVPN is more expensive than the VPNs below, you get all the premium features with its basic subscription plan – and 30 days to try them all out without risking your cash before you decide whether to fully commit.

One VPN provider to suit all your needs

ExpressVPN is the most expensive service on this list, however, it’s worth the price considering it’s the only VPN you’ll need to protect all your online activities. ExpressVPN comes with fully-featured sleek apps for all your devices, whether you’re using Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, or Linux.

On top of that, it’s super easy to use, with a quick connection button that finds the best server for you and connects to it automatically, which makes it suitable even for VPN newbies. Although ExpressVPN allows you only five simultaneous connections, you’ll find this sufficient for an average modern Sri Lankan family – especially considering the lightning-fast speeds and top-notch features you get with each of them.

Split tunneling, which comes with the basic subscription plan, means you can now separate your non-VPN online traffic (banking, work-related social platforms) from your VPN activities (streaming, torrenting), which can be very handy for all the business folks in Sri Lanka. A kill-switch is also there to protect you from data leaks in case your connection drops in the middle of a sensitive online task. These and a myriad of other security features are why ExpressVPN has such a strong security reputation.

Global coverage with great security in Sri Lanka

Express VPN has thousands of fast servers in 105 countries worldwide, including Sri Lanka, which makes it perfect for unblocking the largest variety of content in this country and abroad. What’s more, this provider offers obfuscated (stealth) servers, so you can use it even on your trips to China, Belarus, UAE, and other countries with strict censorship.

Strong encryption and a great choice of protocols you get with ExpressVPN means you can enjoy even faster and more secure connections in Sri Lanka. I usually recommend OpenVPN, as an all-around and battle-tested VPN protocol; however, for time-sensitive tasks, it’s well-worth trying Lightway, which is lighter in code and allows faster connections without compromising your security!

ExpressVPN is an independently audited zero-logs service. In other words, it has publicly proven that it doesn’t store any of its users' data, so you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands.

Impressive speeds

When choosing a VPN for Sri Lanka, you should consider only the fastest services on the market to ensure decent connection speeds – and ExpressVPN regularly tops speed charts. This is ideal for ardent gamers that will experience the smoothest online gaming with this VPN – without buffering and with minimum ping.

ExpressVPN is also great for streaming, and I regularly use it to unblock different Netflix catalogs on my journies abroad. Great consistency in connection speeds, and impressive speeds in general, is why I always go back to ExpressVPN for streaming.

Although VPNs aren’t genuinely there to make your internet faster, some services (including ExpressVPN) can reduce throttling introduced by ISPs, making your connections faster and smoother. If you suspect your Sri Lankan ISP is throttling your bandwidth, you can always take advantage of ExpressVPN's 30-day money-back guarantee and compare the speeds before and after for free.

PIA Demo

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a privacy leader, known for its strong encryption, privacy-focused features, and highly-customizable apps. It offers apps for all your devices, with thousands of fast servers dotted over 84 countries worldwide.

PIA unblocks exclusive content in Sri Lanka and worldwide, and offers P2P servers and port-forwarding, making it a great option for torrenters who want to make their downloads more secure. Best of all, this no-logs provider comes with some of the cheapest plans on the market.

Privacy leader

Although it’s based in the US, which isn't an ideal place privacy-wise (with so many organizations and agencies snooping around), PIA compensates it well with a very strict zero-logs policy which has been proven in court more than once. You can, therefore, trust this provider when it says it saves no information about your online activities. So, even if pressed with a warrant to hand over its logs to the authorities, PIA won’t share your information because it has nothing to share.

PIA comes with robust AES 256-bit encryption and a choice of industry-leading protocols, such as OpenVPN and WireGuard. OpenVPN had revolutionized the VPN scene and set very high security and transparency standards at the time. However, WireGuard is the freshest and most promising protocol that’s even more lightweight and so is quicker and easier on the batteries of your devices.

Whichever protocol you choose, you’ll get to take advantage of PIA’s superb privacy features, including:

• Split-tunneling – allows you to configure different setups for individual apps, services, and websites to make them go through or around the VPN tunnel, which makes multitasking online much easier.


• Kill-switch – automatically stops your online traffic to ensure none of your data leaks if your VPN connection unexpectedly drops.


• Ad Blocking – which blocks annoying ads, but also protects you from potentially dangerous website trackers and all sorts of malware online.

Best VPN for torrenting

Unlike most providers on this list, PIA comes with both P2P-specific servers and port-forwarding. This, along with the exclusive privacy features listed above, makes it the best choice for secure and private torrenting.

With a single subscription, you can connect to up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is ideal for large households, or groups working on joined projects. And don’t worry, this is all without compromising on your download speeds or data caps.

You’ll be glad to hear that I've never detected any IP leaks with PIA – more great news for torrenters, but also everybody else looking to keep their online activities confidential. PIA will even protect you from ads and malware, so you can enjoy torrenting in Sri Lanka with added peace of mind.

Tens of thousands of servers worldwide

Yes, you saw that right! PIA has tens of thousands of servers worldwide, and the number keeps growing. These servers are strategically well-placed in over 84 countries around the world, with a slight focus on the US region – but this means you get to unblock American services, like Netflix US, Hulu, and Amazon Prime! PIA has fast servers in Sri Lanka too, so you’ll be able to unblock the most popular Sri Lankan TV channels like DAN TV, Hiru TV, and Shraddha TV, and enjoy seamless streaming.

PIA is also known as the favorite service of Reddit users. They continuously vote it the number one provider because it's jam-packed with features and is quick and cheap. PIA has great apps for all your OS’es, even Linux, and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to try it out risk-free in Sri Lanka.

CyberGhost Demo

CyberGhost is an established VPN from Romania that’s perfect for streaming and online sports marathons – you get servers worldwide and multiple Sri Lankan IPs. It’s extremely easy to set up and use, with elegant apps for all your devices and great cross-platform compatibility. Best of all, it’s the cheapest VPN on this list and offers an impressive 45-day money-back guarantee.

Away from prying eyes

CyberGhost is based in Romania, so there will be no government spying on your online activities – the Romanian government has no such tendencies. You also have the option of NoSpy servers, which shouldn’t be confused with obfuscation (stealth servers), but are also very effective at bypassing online censorship and increasing your anonymity. They are located in Romania, away from the jurisdiction of the 5 Eyes and similar intelligence alliances, and come with superior hardware characteristics – they have a dedicated uplink, so they come with extended bandwidth and are faster than regular Cyberghost servers.

On top of that, CyberGhost employs a super-secure combo of AES 256-bit encryption and the OpenVPN protocol, making your data transfers completely private in Sri Lanka. WireGuard has recently joined its roster of protocols – which is a great bonus, considering its lightning-fast speeds and advanced security characteristics.

CyberGhost's kill-switch is enabled by default, which is quite handy compared to most other providers who require you to activate it manually. This means your online traffic will stop automatically if your VPN connection drops, protecting you from leaks, with no action needed from your side.

Stream movies, series, sports, and more

CyberGhost comes with servers in 100 countries worldwide, including Sri Lanka, which gives you access to the most popular streaming services, locally and internationally. What’s more, the service has dedicated Netflix servers that enable you to unblock the largest Netflix libraries, including the US, UK, France, Germany, and Japan.

You can take advantage of CyberGhost’s generous 45-day money-back guarantee to try it with BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and others as well. Sports fans will be able to stream ESPN, Eurosport, even Sky Sports (one of the most popular Cricket sports channels), and a long list of others privately and smoothly – without buffering and interruptions.

Great value for money

CyberGhost offers super convenient and easy-to-use apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and even Linux from recently. The provider allows up to 7 simultaneous connections, which is more than enough for everyone's personal use (and sharing), and it’s compatible with Smart TVs, routers, and even XBOX and PS4 consoles.

This service is suitable for VPN newbies, with a straightforward setup process and in-built Product Guides to help you get started. Still, if you come across any difficulties, or you’re simply curious about how things work, the customer service team is available 24/6 via live chat or email. In any case, you get 45 days to figure out this VPN and try its advanced features, without risking any money – which is more than any other service on this list offers.

Nord Demo

NordVPN is a globally popular VPN, known for its great unblocking power and privacy features. It’s an independently audited all-around provider, and admittedly, it would be positioned higher on our list if it had servers in Sri Lanka. However, NordVPN compensates for the lack of Sri Lankan IPs with thousands of lightning-fast servers in other countries worldwide, including neighboring Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Unblock all major streaming platforms

I very often recommend NordVPN for streaming geo-restricted content worldwide, since it unblocks Netflix, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and more with no hustle. Besides, this VPN comes with an exclusive option called SmartPlay, which combines the safety qualities of a VPN and unique Smart DNS features – which is ideal for enjoying your favorite streaming content from the privacy and comfort of your home. This feature works on all your devices phone, laptop, tablet, and a Smart TV.

NordVPN’s interface has also been designed with the user experience in mind. Whether you prefer to play with its interactive server map and try different servers from over 111 countries worldwide or make use of its Quick Connect button and let the app scan for the best server for you, NordVPN offers both options to its customers.

Finally, NordVPN offers blazing speeds that are perfect for streaming, but also for your other data-intensive tasks like gaming, torrenting, and VoIP calls. I regularly used NordVPN on past trips to Sri Lanka and I never had issues streaming international content from there, nor did I ever experience buffering watching my favorite Netflix shows.

The longest list of privacy features

Not only will you be comfortable using this service (even if it’s your first time using a VPN), but you’ll also feel very secure, thanks to its ample choice of security features.

• Obfuscation (VPN cloaking) – scrambles your VPN encryption to make you unnoticeable online (by ISPs and governments) and help you bypass even the most severe censorship.


• DNS leak protection – directs your online traffic through a strongly encrypted tunnel to protect you from protects from Domain Name System leakages.


• Double VPN – routes your traffic through two VPN servers, ensuring you a double layer of protection with all your online activities.


• Kill-switch – prevents the leakage of your sensitive data by cutting your internet connection if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly.


• Onion over VPN – as the name suggests, this feature combines NordVPN and Tor Browser strengths to further increase your anonymity.

If you’re using insecure public networks in Sri Lanka (which we don’t recommend), I recommend using Nord’s Threat Protection, which comes free of charge with your basic plan and protects you from adverts, tracking cookies, and malware online.

Secure all-rounder

NordVPN uses military-grade AES 256-bit encryption with an excellent choice of protocols. I usually recommend the trusted OpenVPN protocol (for users whose main concern is security) or NordVPN's very own protocol, NordLynx (for speed-driven users). NordLynx is based on WireGuard, so it’s extremely light (consisting of just 4,000 lines of code) – a great combo of speed and security for users in Sri Lanka and worldwide.

Speaking of security, NordVPN has undergone two public security audits, conducted by the independent auditing firm, PWC. The most recent audit report came out in 2019, and has positively evaluated NordVPN’s security, speed, and bypassing of censorship. It also confirmed the integrity of NordVPN’s strict zero-logs policy.

This is the sort of dedication we at Pro Privacy love to see from VPNs – and I felt very secure whenever I was using NordVPN in Sri Lanka. To sum up, NordVPN is a secure all-rounder, perfect for all your data-intensive tasks or sensitive projects in Sri Lanka and abroad.

Surfshark Demo

Surfshark is another great all-rounder that would be positioned higher on this list if it provided Sri Lankan server locations. But other than that, it’s a great choice for anyone looking for a feature-rich, beginner-friendly service that unblocks a long list of international services, at a cheap price and with unlimited connections.

Bigger, better, faster, and stronger by day

Surfshark is a relatively new VPN on the scene but has already set some new industry standards by offering the same high-quality service as the industry's top players at a cheaper price and with unlimited simultaneous connections. Besides, it’s a VPN that continuously invests in feature advancements and server expansion.

So far, it has super-fast servers in over 100 countries around the globe, and that number keeps increasing. I regularly check Surfshark’s speed, simply because I am impressed with how far the service came in very a short time – frequently entering the top five on our speed charts, regularly proving it's a great value-for-money option.

Surfshak has recently joined its forces with NordVPN, which certainly helped the company’s growth. The merger took place in January 2024, and both companies have grown even stronger since.

Affordable but feature-rich

Surfshark is one of the cheapest providers on this list, but is still jam-packed with advanced privacy features. These could be particularly useful in Sri Lanka and when traveling:

• Camouflage mode – as the name suggests, this feature makes your online activities invisible to your ISP, government, and other snoopers, with the help of obfuscated (cloaked) servers spread worldwide.


• Multi-hop – for added security, you can change your IP address multiple times before visiting a particular website or unblocking a geo-restricted service.


• CleanWeb – nowadays malware and adverts are all over the internet, and Surfshark can block them. This feature is a must when browsing on less secure networks, but it’s advisable to use it all the time.


• Surfshark Alert – an exclusive Surfshark feature that sends you alert messages (if enabled) whenever it detects a potential data leakage risk, such as email and passwords leaks.

I have the Surfshark app on a smartphone that I use primarily for shopping – with CleanWeb and Surfshark Alert always on. This gives me the confidence that I am not risking getting infected by malware or accidentally leaking my sensitive data while browsing numerous shopping sites.

Unlimited service

Surfshark is one of the very few providers that offer a truly unlimited service – you get unrestricted bandwidth and data traffic, apps for all your devices, and an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. IPTV protection – once you unblock your favorite content, you’ll probably want to watch it on a bigger screen, Surfshark enables this, without compromising your privacy.

All in all, Surfshark is a real bargain, ideal for Sri Lankan internet users who are on a budget. I always recommend it to big families, groups of students or friends, and anyone who doesn’t want to have to count simultaneous connections and repeatedly connect and disconnect devices.

All of this is available for a little over $2 dollars a month (if you subscribe for two years). But don’t worry! Before you make this commitment, you can thoroughly inspect this service without any risk, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.