Drone flying in Sri Lanka: rules, permit & roadmap

Imagine: you are standing with your drone ready to take on the iconic Nine Arch Bridge in Ella capture, or you want to see the Lion Rock in Sigiriya aerial photography. Sri Lanka is a dream for drone pilots, but that dream can quickly turn into stress if you don't know what rules apply. In fact, Sri Lanka has one of South Asia's stricter drone regulations, and without official registration, you could face fines, lose your drone on arrival or be stopped on the spot by police or military personnel. So what about drone flying in Sri Lanka?

In this blog, we explain exactly how the rules work, how to register your drone with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), where you can and cannot fly and our own experiences. So you can fully enjoy the most beautiful shots Sri Lanka has to offer.

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General information about Sri Lanka

Are you planning your trip to Sri Lanka? Then check out our tips for the best travel period, daily budget and applying for a visa. On our Sri Lanka page you will find a complete overview of all practical information.

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1. Why are the drone rules in Sri Lanka so strict?

Sri Lanka has had several incidents of unauthorised drones near airports, military zones and religious sites in recent years. As the country has many strategic buildings as well as ancient temples, regulations have been tightened considerably. Drone flying is allowed, but only if you apply for the right permit and follow the rules.

In Sri Lanka, the not about the weight of your drone but about safety and location. As a result, even lightweight drones such as the DJI Mini Series fully under the registration requirement. Even if your drone is under 250 grams, you need to apply for prior permission.

2. Are you allowed to bring a drone to Sri Lanka

Yes, you can bring a drone to Sri Lanka, as long as you have applied for an official registration beforehand. Sri Lanka regards drones as aircraft and wants to know who is flying them and where. Without registration, you risk confiscation on arrival, a fine or problems with police or defence forces while flying.

3. Is drone registration mandatory in Sri Lanka (Yes! For all drones)?

Yes, all drones must be registered, regardless of weight. This includes light drones under 250 grams. Many travellers think that a DJI Mini series is exempt, but it is not so in Sri Lanka.

Why. It's not just about the weight of your drone, but mainly about safety, privacy and avoiding flying near military terrain. And believe us, Sri Lanka has quite a few military zones where you are not allowed to fly ...

4. Roadmap: this is how to apply for drone registration in Sri Lanka

Apply for registration through the CAASL's official website: https://portal.caa.lk/drone/apply-now/report.php. Here you fill in your application, select your flying areas, upload all documents and wait for approval from CAASL as well as the Sri Lankan Defence Force. We explain it to you step by step here!

1. Fill in your personal details
   You start with your name, passport number, contact details and other basic information about yourself.
2. Register your drone
   You enter the make, model, weight and serial number.
3. Enter your flight locations and dates
   You need to specify in advance where and when you want to fly. Choose generous time slots, as small deviations are usually not a problem as long as your registration is correct.
4. Upload the necessary documents
   This involves a copy of your passport, purchase invoice, photos of the drone and controller and a drone certificate, if any. For heavier drones, liability insurance must also be uploaded.
5. Send your request
   CAASL checks your application and forwards it to the Sri Lankan Defence Force for final approval.
6. Pay the registration fee
   You will receive a payment link by e-mail. The costs are around 16,095 LKR (about €45, depending on the exchange rate).
7. Receive your final approval
   Once CAASL and the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff agree, you will receive an official flight authorisation. This will allow you to fly legally and without problems.

Tip: It's useful to lay down your itinerary and schedule in advance so that you can pass on flight locations and dates as best you can. Still in doubt? No problem, enter the same flight location for 2 days.

Read also: Cashing in Sri Lanka: 6 handy tips + cost overview
Read also: Sri Lanka travel itinerary: complete itinerary for 2, 3 or 4 weeks

5. Drone rules in Sri Lanka: this you need to know

Now that you know how and why you need to register your drone, it is important to know that once approved, there are some basic rules that you must follow while flying in Sri Lanka

• You can fly a maximum of 120 metres high and always within line of sight.
• Do not fly over crowded crowds or roads
• Airports, military zones and some cultural heritage sites or temples are off limits.
• Drone flying allowed only during the day
• Local police or military authorities can ask about your drone registration at any time.

These rules are monitored. So make sure you always have your registration printed and digital at hand.

Our experience with local checks (Ella & Nine Arch Bridge)

During our trip, we had official permission to fly at the Nine Arch Bridge in Ella. Nevertheless, the local police asked us on the spot to be extra careful. This is because it was busier than expected and there are large wasp nests under the bridge, so flying under the bridge is not allowed.

Note: you will always see people flying under the bridge, but please use your common sense. By doing so, you are not only endangering yourself, but also the people around the bridge. This is because the wasps under the bridge react strongly to the sound of a drone, making this a serious risk.

This shows the value of official registration printed and digital at hand. The police explained to us exactly where we could fly safely, AND even told us what time the famous train would pass by. This allowed us to fly responsibly and get great shots.

6. No-fly zones in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has several types of no-fly zones, some of which are logical. Below are the main categories, each with a brief explanation so you know exactly what to consider.

1. Airports & aerodromes
   Strict no-go zones apply around Colombo, Mattala, Jaffna and Sigiriya Air Base.
2. Military zones
   Sri Lanka has more military areas than you will expect or can see.
3. Temples and religious sites
   Restrictions especially apply at the Temple of the Tooth, Ruwanwelisaya Stupa and Dambulla Cave Temple. Here, drone use is seen as disrespectful and often stopped immediately.
4. National parks and nature reserves
   In well-known national parks, you are not allowed to fly without an additional permit. This has to do with nature conservation and animal protection.
5. UNESCO sites
   Many UNESCO sites have permanent no-fly zones. Sometimes additional consultation is possible, but generally flying is prohibited here.

Tip: A handy app to use is UAV Forecast. This app shows not only no-fly zones, but also wind, weather and ideal flight times.

7. Practical tips from your own experience

Proper preparation makes flying a drone in Sri Lanka a lot more relaxed. Ideally, ask for your registration three to four weeks in advance and make sure you carry all documents, including certificate and proof of payment, both printed and digital.

While flying itself, it is important to keep enough distance, especially in crowded tourist spots or in places where people are close together. Also, do not fly too low above groups of people and show extra respect at religious locations; here, drone use is often less appreciated.

Since the weather can change quickly in Sri Lanka, it is smart to always check the wind and conditions beforehand. In addition, take plenty of extra batteries with you and carry both your drone and the batteries in your hand luggage, so there are never any surprises during your trip.

Most frequently asked questions about drone flying in Sri Lanka

Is drone flying in Sri Lanka worth it?

Without a doubt: yes! Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful countries in the world to capture from the air. From verdant tea plantations to tropical beaches it is worth it without a doubt. All you have to do is decide your itinerary and register. This might take some time, but then you get mega cool images in return. Our advice? Start on time, get your registration and then enjoy lots of wow moments!

We try to keep this blog, about drone flying in Sri Lanka, as up-to-date as possible but this cannot be done without your help. If anything has changed, please let us know via [email protected].

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