Sri Lanka Local Laws

If you’re bringing more than US$15,000 in cash into the country, you’ll need to declare it upon entry.

It’s also illegal to bring more than Rs.5,000 (Sri Lankan rupees; LKR) into the country without an exchange receipt or declaring it. Come departure time, you can only export up to Rs.20,000 without an exchange receipt or declaration.

Foreign travelers are required to bring a valid visa  and a valid passport to enter Sri Lanka. Only nationals of Singapore, the Maldives, and the Seychelles can visit without a visa as they’re eligible for a visa upon arrival.

During your stay, you should keep your passport and visa with you when you’re out exploring, as well as keep photocopies in a safe place at your hotel. You may sometimes be asked to show your passport or proof of identity by security forces at military check-points.

When entering the country, you’ll need to fill out a customs and declaration form. Be sure to check the list of prohibited or banned items before your departure—it includes cigarettes, firearms, plants, and animals. Liquor and wine is permitted but in small quantities. Most foreign visitors are permitted to bring some restricted items, such as cosmetics, provided they are declared and under a certain allowance or value.

Discovering Sri Lanka’s Buddhist, Hindu, and religious heritage by visiting temples and sacred sites is one of the island’s biggest tourist draws. However, some temples and religious sites may have rules against or regarding taking photos and videos.

Look for posted rules or signage about photography before entering a religious space. If you don’t see any explicitly listed rules, observe how others around you are behaving and follow their lead. In Buddhist temples, you should not take pictures with your back to a Buddha statue, pose next to a Buddha statue, wear clothing or jewelry with Buddhist images or iconography, or take disrespectful photos with Buddha statues (e.g. making silly faces or poses).

It’s illegal to take pictures without permission in high-security zones, such as government buildings and military establishments and installations.

If you want to take a photograph of a particular person, be respectful and ask first.

Sri Lanka’s last Indigenous group is the Veddas, a forest-dwelling tribe whose culture and way of life has largely been wiped out. However, you can still learn about their traditions and customs at numerous sites, including their villages in Gal Oya National Park and the Veddas Heritage Center in Rathugala.

When visiting these traditional villages and communities, be respectful, as Vedda culture and craftsmanship has historically been exploited for tourism purposes. Only take tours from official Vedda organizations, such as the Heritage Center, refrain from taking pictures without permission, and try to make sure that any purchases benefit the community.

Sri Lanka’s legal drinking age is 21, and for those old enough, a visit offers the chance to sample island beers, like Lion Lager, and arrack, a heady distilled liquor made from fermented coconut.

However, Buddhism, which is Sri Lanka’s main religion, discourages drinking alcohol, so it’s best to avoid it in places that aren’t bars or restaurants, like when visiting someone’s home (unless it’s offered). Drinking in public is also prohibited and punishable under the law.

For female travelers, it’s important to know that technically Sri Lanka has a law that prohibits women from purchasing alcohol. Most female tourists don’t report having any issues, but you may want to err on the side of caution and have male companions order or purchase any alcohol for you.

Smoking is illegal in most public spaces, but especially indoor or enclosed areas.

Sri Lanka has extremely strict laws against carrying drugs, including marijuana. Local police will regularly conduct raids and set up nighttime checkpoints, and drug offenses come with stiff sentences, from high fines to even a lifetime jail sentence.

If you want to rent and drive your own car in Sri Lanka, you can’t just drive with your regular license or an international driver’s license. You’ll need to get a special permit once you enter the country. You can either get the permit at the Department of Motor Traffic or take your international driver’s license to the Automobile Association of Sri Lanka to get it endorsed.

However, many visitors prefer to hire drivers, sign up with a tour operator, or use public transit during their visit. This is because Sri Lanka has notoriously chaotic traffic with erratic driving.

If you do want to take on Sri Lankan roadways, Sri Lankans drive on the left and carry cash for expressway tolls. Speeds are enforced, so try to drive at the speed limit even if others around you aren’t.

Although Sri Lanka has sometimes been at the forefront of women’s rights (they were the first nation to elect a women head of government), women here still suffer from gender inequality. Sri Lanka is a patriarchal society, with women handling the majority of domestic tasks. There are also laws and norms regarding women that may affect female travelers, like the ban on women buying alcohol.

If you’re planning on heading to the beach, topless sunbathing is illegal. For men, however, visiting the beach (and some temples) without a shirt is permitted.

Although there have been recent moves to decriminalize homosexuality, same-sex relations have historically been illegal in Sri Lanka. For LGBTQ+ travelers, it’s best to avoid public displays of affection and keep a low profile, especially in more rural areas.

It’s illegal to hunt, shoot, kill, or take any wildlife from protected wilderness areas, like national parks and nature reserves.

Most forest fires that happen in Sri Lanka are caused by humans. That’s why camping illegally comes with hefty fines. If you want to camp in Sri Lanka and make a fire, only do so at designated sites and check with local authorities if campfires are allowed. During the dry season, it’s best to avoid lighting fires at all due to the risk.

As a more conservative country, keep public displays of affection to a minimum when out and about.

Sri Lanka is a very religious country with more conservative laws and social norms, so it’s best to dress modestly and conservatively during your stay to avoid unwanted attention and causing offense. Leave the revealing clothing at home and keep your legs, shoulders, and chest covered.

You may also need to remove hats and shoes when entering temples or religious sites.