Sri Lanka

Passport validity requirements

To enter Sri Lanka, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. 

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

To enter Sri Lanka, you need to apply for an ‘Electronic Travel Authorization’ (ETA) which is a form of visa.

Applying for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

Apply for a Sri Lanka ‘Electronic Travel Authorization’ (ETA) online. You should do this before travelling. ETAs are issued free of charge and will be valid for 30 days.

If you plan to stay longer, you can apply for an extension online through Sri Lankas official Immigration portal. You do not need a visa if you are transiting through Sri Lanka by air, if the connecting flight is within 24 hours of your arrival. Check with your airlines about transit times.

For more information on Sri Lankan visas, please visit Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Overstaying your visa

If you overstay the period of your ETA (30 days), you risk being subject to immigration procedures that may include temporary detention, a fine, deportation at your own expense, a travel ban or refusal of entry to Sri Lanka in the future.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Sri Lanka, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Sri Lanka guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Sri Lanka. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Sri Lanka

Most major banks allow Visa and Mastercard cash withdrawals. There are ATMs in major towns and cities, but not all accept international cards.

You cannot transfer money without an exchange control permit issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.  

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Sri Lanka. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Sri Lanka

Most major banks allow Visa and Mastercard cash withdrawals. There are ATMs in major towns and cities, but not all accept international cards.

You cannot transfer money without an exchange control permit issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.  

Emergency services in Sri Lanka 

Ambulance: 011 2691111 or 1990 

Fire and Rescue: 111 

Police: 118/119 

Emergency Police Mobile Squad: 011 5717171 

Tourist Police: 011 2421052 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO 

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking lawyers or funeral directors in Sri Lanka
• dealing with a death in Sri Lanka
• being arrested or imprisoned in Sri Lanka
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call  FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges 

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies  

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Sri Lanka on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides

Heavy rainfall during the inter-monsoon season has increased the risk of flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka. Disruption to transport and other services is possible. Check with your travel provider and follow the advice of local authorities.

Sri Lanka Tourism’s 24-hour hotline is available on 1912.

Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East

Travel

Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights.

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel:

• check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through

• check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator

• review your travel insurance policy for coverage

• monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts

Some flights from Colombo to the UK via Middle Eastern hubs may be delayed, postponed, or re-routed. British nationals in Sri Lanka should check the latest updates from their airlines and consider alternative carriers or routes where necessary.

For further information, review Media Notice from the Department of Immigration & Emigration.

Fuel

The Government of Sri Lanka is limiting purchases of fuel in response to the situation in the Middle East. All vehicles will be allocated a weekly fuel quota. The Government has announced that special arrangements will be implemented for tour operators and hotels to minimise disruption to tourism.

Additional assistance available: Sri Lankan Tourist Hotline: 1912

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates 

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook
• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences 

Personal ID

You must always carry your passport as an official form of identification. A copy is usually acceptable, but in some situations you may have to produce the original at a police station within a specified time limit.

Alcohol laws and bans

Police could fine you if you ignore notices prohibiting alcohol in certain public areas.

Alcohol is not usually available on religious holidays. Drinking in public on these days could be culturally insensitive. Check locally for dates of religious holidays when this applies.

Smoking and e-cigarette bans

Police could fine you if you ignore ‘no smoking’ signs in certain public areas.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.

Airports in Sri Lanka use technology to detect illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

Detention and prison sentences

There are severe penalties for drug offences, terrorism and all other serious crimes. The authorities could hold you without charge indefinitely. If convicted, you may face a lengthy prison sentence.

If you’re arrested under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act, the authorities could detain you without charge awaiting a trial date. 

Using cameras, binoculars and drones in secure areas

Do not fly drones near, use binoculars to look at, or take photographs of:

• military bases
• government buildings
• vehicles used by VIPs

Check how to register and operate drones with Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal, but we are not aware of any prosecutions.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Dress codes

Nude or topless sunbathing is not allowed.

If you enter a Buddhist temple:

• cover your legs and shoulders
• take off shoes and hats

Religion

Disrespecting Buddhist images and artefacts, or making offensive remarks about religion, is a serious offence and can lead to arrest. If you have visible tattoos of Buddha, you can be refused entry to Sri Lanka or face deportation. Do not pose for photographs standing in front of a statue of Buddha.      

Wildlife

Some Sri Lankan animals can be dangerous. If in doubt, follow advice from authorised guides or your travel operator. Wild elephants and crocodiles will attack humans on occasion. Venomous insects and snakes are found in many parts of the country – though not common in populated areas.

Feral dogs are common and sometimes carry rabies.