Some pre-appointment information requirements and forms to be filled.
Air Ticket & Visa
If your posting is at IWMI Headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka, then please complete theEntry Visa Form and send it, along with a scan of the Passport details page of everyone traveling with you, to Nihal Silva, Travel & Visa Officer, IWMI-HQ. Also indicate the expected date of departure from your present location (home country) so that he could send you some travel itinerary options. Nihal will also advise you on visa formalities.
If your posting is to one of the Regional Offices, please contact the Office Manager for details.
Shipment
IWMI Personnel Policies entitle you to a shipment depending on the category of employment. This is because Researchers and those higher in grade have a longer appointment period, whereas Post-Doctoral Scientists are initially appointed on a 2 year contract.
In Sri Lanka, contact UpaliKarunanayake, Administrative Services Officer, IWMI-HQ, who will assist you.
In other countries, please contact the Office Manager.
If you plan to send your personal effects by air or sea, please obtain 3 quotations from local shipping companies for a door-to-door delivery of goods, including insurance. Once you have obtained the quotes, please forward them to Upali, or the respective Office Manager, at your earliest. In the alternative we can request one of the local shipping companies to coordinate the moving of your goods as they are familiar with the customs, port authority and clearance procedure at this end.
Excess Baggage
10kg of excess baggage per authorized traveler will be reimbursed by IWMI. Please retain payment receipts.
Temporary Accommodation
Temporary accommodation can be arranged for you for the initial 25 days. During your initial stay you will be expected to look for suitable housing and make arrangements to move. IWMI will assist you in this process by providing you a list of houses available on rent/lease and it will be your responsibility to negotiate with house owners on the rent. IWMI will sign the lease agreement with the house owner on your behalf.
Transport on arrival
IWMI will arrange for you to be picked up at the airport and transported to your accommodation.
IWMI Car/Monthly Vehicle Allowance
Researchers and higher grades can either opt for an IWMI car, if available, or a monthly vehicle allowance. Post-Doctoral Scientists are entitled to a monthly vehicle allowance.
Until you have had an opportunity to familiarize yourself with local driving conditions and obtain a local driving license, IWMI will assist by assigning an Instate driver, for up to 10 days from the date of arrival.
International Driving License
When coming to Sri Lanka, it is advantageous to obtain an International Driving License in your home country since this makes obtaining a local driving license much easier. Otherwise, a local driving license is only obtainable after a Residence Visa is granted. This can take up to one month after arrival.
IWMI’s Transport Office in Colombo, or the respective Office Manager in regional offices, will assist you in obtaining the local driving license during the first few weeks of your stay.