Incoming passengers have to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Sri Lanka Mission of the respective country in order to enter into Sri Lanka due to the prevailing situation.
Such approvals will be sent directly to the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) and this Authority will direct the respective airline to issue tickets for such approved passengers.
CAASL has set up This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., a dedicated email address for passenger approvals with effect from 6th Jan 2021. All approvals will be handled through this email address.
Passengers are kindly requested to refrain from emailing any other officer’s mail address for any passenger approvals.
Special Note:
The prior approval requirement does not apply to passengers arriving in terms of the tourism protocol guidelines
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Click here to download Directive
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Airlines are hereby informed that Mattala and Ratmalana International Airports are permitted for operations of international airline/ corporate jet operations for the purpose of Technical Landings/Refueling Only.
Airline crew rest will be permitted on the following conditions.
- Crew members shall obtain their rest at a predetermined nearest hotel to the relevant airport and shall maintain self-quarantine at the respective hotel.
- It is not mandatory to provide a ‘Corona free medical certificate’ in respect of each crew member operating the flight.
- At the entry and until they exit from Sri Lanka the crew is required to adhere to the following procedures detailed by the Quarantine Unit – Ministry of Health Sri Lanka and CAASL.
- Crew shall undergo thermal scanning at the airport.
- Crew shall hand over the duly completed Health Declaration Form to the Airport Health Office. After the necessary health clearance the crew will be permitted to enter Sri Lanka
- Crew is strictly instructed to self-quarantine in their rooms at location mentioned in the health declaration form (predetermined Hotel) and have meals only through in-room dining until they operate the next flight out of the Airport to their planned destinations under strict instructions given by the Ministry of Health and Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka.
- Crew shall wear a mask when entering the airport and also when in contact with others inside the country.
- Each crew member shall maintain a distance of at least 01(one) meter with others.
- Crew shall practice hand hygienic measures.
- Crew shall be transported by an identified vehicle and vehicle cleaning measures shall be carried out by relevant agencies.
- Technical and cabin crew who arrive on flights other than the scheduled passenger flights to Sri Lanka should follow the procedures and hygienic measures adopted by the Sri Lankan government.
All International Airports in Sri Lanka shall be maintained to public health standards according to CAASL General Direction 010.
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Foreign Airline crew are strictly prohibited from travelling to Colombo for Crew Layovers.
This Communication No 19 will be applicable with effect from 0001hrs on 26th April 2020 until further notice.
All other previous instructions issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka which are not amended by the above will continue to be applicable.
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Airlines are hereby informed that the maximum permitted transit time at BIA for any passenger transiting via BIA should strictly be not more than 12 hours.The concerned passenger must strictly have a confirmed onward connection out of BIA to an onward destination.
The Government of Sri Lanka invites all airlines to service Sri Lanka Airports BIA,MRIA,JIA and RMA upon lifting of the restrictions.Therefore please communicate the same to your head offices.
All other previous instructions issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka which are not amended by the above will continue to be applicable
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All online and offline carriers are informed that according to instructions received from Sri Lanka Health Authorities, all international Airports in Sri Lanka will continue to be closed for the operation of inbound international commercial passenger flights (i.e. arrivals) until further notice. This closure will be reviewed by the Sri Lanka Authorities. This communication supersedes communication No 16.
During the closure period the following will be permitted:
- Aircraft Departures with passengers originating from Colombo, Stop overs, transit passengers or visiting tourists.
- Emergency Diversions to BIA.
- Freighter Operations and humanitarian flights to BIA.
- Technical landings at BIA.
- Inbound ferry flights (without passengers) at BIA.
Airlines are strictly instructed to follow the above instructions and other instructions sent previously. All instructions are available at www.caa.lk
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Further to Communication 15, all online and offline carriers are informed that according to instructions received from Sri Lanka Health Authorities, all international Airports in Sri Lanka will continue to be closed for the operation of inbound international commercial passenger flights (i.e. arrivals) until 2359hrs on 7 April 2020 (local time in Sri Lanka).This closure will be reviewed by the Sri Lanka Authorities.
During the closure period the following will be permitted:
- Aircraft Departures with passengers originating from Colombo, Stop overs, transit passengers or visiting tourists.
- Emergency Diversions to BIA
- Freighter Operations and humanitarian flights to BIA
- Technical landings at BIA
- Inbound ferry flights (without passengers) at BIA
Airlines are strictly instructed to follow the above instructions and the other instructions sent previously contained in communications 1-15.
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Further to Communication 11 sent previously all online and offline carriers are informed that according to instructions received from Sri Lanka Health Authorities, all international Airports in Sri Lanka will continue to be closed for the operation of inbound international commercial passenger flights (i.e. arrivals) until 2359hrs on 31 March 2020 (local time in Sri Lanka).This closure will be reviewed by the Sri Lanka Authorities.
During the closure period the following will be permitted:
- Aircraft Departures with passengers originating from Colombo, Stop overs, transit passengers or visiting tourists.
- Emergency Diversions to BIA
- Freighter Operations and humanitarian flights to BIA
- Technical landings at BIA
- Inbound ferry flights (without passengers) at BIA
Airlines are strictly instructed to follow the above instructions and the other instructions sent previously contained in communications 1-14
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The Director General of Civil Aviation inform all online and offline carriers that the maximum permitted transit time at BIA for any passenger transiting via BIA should strictly be not more than 6 hours.The concerned passenger must strictly have a confirmed onward Connection out of BIA to an onward destination.
For strict implementation.
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The Director General of Civil Aviation inform all online and offline carriers that acceptance of any passenger desiring to transit via BIA should strictly be on the basis that the concerned passenger has a confirmed onward Connection out of BIA to an onward destination.
For strict implementation.
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This is to inform all online and offline carriers that according to instructions received from Sri Lanka Health Authorities all international Airports in Sri Lanka will be closed for operation of inward international commercial passenger flights (i.e arrivals) with effect from 0400hrs on 19 March 2020 (local time in Sri Lanka) until 2359hrs on 25 March 2020 (local time in Sri Lanka).The closure will be reviewed by the Sri Lanka Authorities.
During the above mentioned restricted period the following will be permitted:
- Aircraft Departures with passengers originating from Colombo, Stop overs,transit passengers or visiting tourists.
- Emergency Diversions to BIA
- Freighter Operations and humanitarian flights to BIA
- Technical landings at BIA
- Inbound ferry flights (without passengers) at BIA
Airlines are strictly instructed to follow the above instructions.
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This is to inform all online carriers and offline carriers that according to the instructions received from Sri Lanka Health Authorities, passengers of Qatari, Canadian or Bahraini nationalities or any passenger who has a travel history to Qatar, Canada or Bahrain within the last 14 days will not be permitted to land in Sri Lanka with effect from 17 March 2359hrs for a period of two weeks.
This restriction above does not apply to passengers transiting Qatar, Canada or Bahrain provided:
- They are not nationals of Qatar, Canada or Bahrain and they have not visited these three countries in the last 14 days and
- They do not have a travel history in the last 14days in the previously restricted Countries (i.e – Italy, Iran, South Korea, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Norway, Sweden,Switzerland,Spain, Germany,Austria,Netherlands,Denmark)
For strict implementation.
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Please see below message received from the Consul General in Cyprus on the following subject.
URGENT - Requirement to produce a medical certificate by all visitors to Cyprus, including Sri Lankans.
To: Secretary Foreign Relations
Copy:
- Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka
- Controller General, Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka
- Chairman, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau
This is to inform you that in an urgent Cabinet meeting held today regarding the outbreak of CoronaVirus in Cyprus, it has been decided that with effect from 6.00 pm (Cyprus time) on 16th March 2020:
- Entry into the Republic of Cyprus of those who possess a valid visa will only be granted to those who, upon their arrival, submit a medical certificate that they have been tested for coronavirus by certified medical centers from their country of origin.
- Those who fulfil these conditions will be placed under a 14-day compulsory quarantine at accommodation facilities designated by the Republic of Cyprus.
- It is notified that no one will be allowed to enter the Republic of Cyprus unless they meet and accept the above conditions.
Accordingly, I would be grateful if you could take urgent measures to notify the said regulation that will be in effect from 6.00 pm ( Cyprus time) on 16th March 2020, to all relevant parties in Sri Lanka including the main airlines ( mainly Gulf Airline, Qatar airline and Emirate airline) as there are many Sri Lankans waiting in Sri Lanka to return to Cyprus following their visit to Sri Lanka.
Please contact the undersigned for any further clarifications in this regard.
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Due to the very rapid spread of the covid-19 virus a very high level decision has been made to amend Communication 08 mentioned below as follows:
Steps will be taken to quarantine passengers arriving from the United Kingdom, Belgium and Norway with effect from 0000hrs on 16th March 2020 till 2359hrs on 16th March 2020.
The rest of Communication 08 will remain unchanged.
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Further to our communication 06 below banning all travel beginning from the United Kingdom, Belgium and Norway for a period of 2 weeks with effect from 2359hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) on 16th of March 2020.
The ban will commence on all flights arriving after 16th March 2359hrs (Local Time in Sri Lanka) and end on the 30th of March 2020 2400hrs (Local time in Sri Lanka)
Accordingly all airlines are strongly instructed not to board during the aforementioned period in any of their flights destined to Sri Lanka, any passenger who is either originating from the aforementioned States or who has been in any of those countries within the last 14 days.
Please note that there will not be a quarantine procedure taking place til 16th March 2358hrs for passengers arriving from United Kingdom, Belgium and Norway or who has been in of those states within the last 14 days.
Please note the change in procedure above underlined pertaining to quarantine.
From 2359hrs on 16th March 2020 no passengers will be permitted to land in Sri Lanka from the United Kingdom, Belgium and Norway or who has been in any of those countries within the last 14 days.
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Refer to CAASL's communication 05.
DGCA instructed me to inform you that although Jaffna International Airport will be closed for International Traffic for a period of 2 weeks, Domestic Operations can be carried out.
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This is to inform all online carriers and offline carriers that according to the instructions received from Sri Lanka Health Authorities, all travel beginning from the United Kingdom, Belgium and Norway will be banned for a period of 2 weeks with effect from 2359hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) on 16th of March 2020.
The ban will commence on all flights arriving after 16th March 2359hrs (Local Time in Sri Lanka) and end on the 30th of March 2020 2400hrs (Local time in Sri Lanka)
Accordingly all airlines are strongly instructed not to board during the aforementioned period in any of their flights destined to Sri Lanka, any passenger who is either originating from the aforementioned States or who has been in any of those countries within the last 14 days.
The Quarantine Procedure would be:
- Now to 2359hrs on 15th March 2020 – No Quarantine.
- 0000hrs to 2359hrs on 16th March 2020 – Passengers will be sent to a quarantine center.
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Considering the recent detection of a few more COVID-19 positive cases amongst the passengers who had arrived in Sri Lanka from the 8 countries listed in the mail referred to above over the last 48 hours, the Local Health Authorities have stressed the need of intensifying the preventive measures taken for the spread of the corona virus in the country
Accordingly please note that if an airline disembarks any passenger in Sri Lanka between 1100 hrs and 2359 hrs on 15th March 2020 who has been uplifted from Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherland, Sweden,Spain or Switzerland or who has been in any of those countries within the last 14 days, the passenger will be sent to a Quarantine Centre.
Rest of the contents in the above mail will remain unchanged.
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Further to the notice sent by the Director General of Civil Aviation on 12th March 2020 banning the travel from South Korea, Italy and Iran effective 14th March 2020 the following will also apply.
This is to inform all online carriers and offline carriers that according to the instructions received from Sri Lanka Health Authorities, all travel beginning from France,Spain,Germany,Switzerland,Denmark,Netherlands,Sweden and Austria to Sri Lanka will be banned from 15th of March 2020 for two (2) weeks ending 29th March 2020.
The ban will commence on all flights arriving after 15th March 2020 2359hrs (Local Time in Sri Lanka) and end on 29th of March 2020 2400hrs (Local time in Sri Lanka)
Accordingly all airlines are strongly instructed not to board during the aforementioned period in any of their flights destined to Sri Lanka, any passenger who is either originating from the aforementioned States or who has been in any of those countries within the last 14 days.
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This is to inform all online carriers and offline carriers that according to the instructions received from the Health Department, all travel beginning from Iran, Italy and South Korea to Sri Lanka will be banned from 14 March 2020 for two (2) weeks ending 28th March 2020.
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