Important Updates

Find fast, actionable information useful for German-Sri Lankan investors, businesses, and travelers. The information is verified and obtained from authorities in Sri Lanka and Germany. 

For Businesses and Employees

Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations No. 02 of 2023 - 01 January 2023

Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations No. 01 of 2023 - 01 January 2023

Imports Control Regulations on Payment Terms No. 25 of 2022 - 21 December 2022

Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations No. 15 of 2022 - 16 September 2022

Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations No. 14 of 2022 - 09 September 2022

Imports and Exports Control Regulation No. 12 of 2022 - 23 August 2022

Imports and Exports Control Regulation No. 12 of 2022 - 23 August 2022

Imports and Exports Control Regulation No. 10 of 2022 - 24 June 2022 

Customs Ordinance Notification (Surcharge on Customs Duty for a specific imported items) - 31 May 2022

Imports and Exports Control Regulation No. 09 of 2022 - 31 May 2022

Import and Export Control Regulation No 07 of 2022 - 06 May 2022 

Imports and Exports Control Regulation No 06 of 2022 - 09 April 2022 

Imports and Exports Regulations No. 05 of 2022 - 09 March 2022 

Health Guidelines for Public - Work related activities from from 01st to 31st March 2022 

Exemption of Pre-Departure COVID-19testing (PCR/ Rapid Antigen Test) of Fully Vaccinates Travellers arriving in Sri Lanka - 25 February 2022

Quarantine measures for travelers arriving from overseas - 27 January 2022

Imports and Exports Regulations No. 03 of 2022 - 11 January 2022

Imports and Exports Regulations No. 02 of 2022 - 11 January 2022

Imports and Exports (Standardization and Quality Control) Regulations No. 01 of 2022 - 11 January 2022

Health Guidelines for Public - Work related activities from from 1st – 31st January 2022 - 31 December 2021 

Health Protocol for Tourist Arrivals to Sri Lanka - 14 December 2021

Health Guidelines for Public - Work related activities from 16 Nov to 30 Nov 2021 - 15 November 2021 

Gazette issued on obtaining prior approval of Health DG for gatherings - 09 November 2021

Health Guidelines for Public - Work activities from 1 November to 15 November 2021 - 29 October 2021

New mandatory conversion of export proceeds announced by Monetary Board - 28 October 2021

More information on the short-term visa process for travelers from Sri Lanka to Germany - Important for Exhibitors 

Sri Lanka is no longer considered a high-risk country according to Robert Koch Institute, Germany - 15 October 2021

No Approval required from MFA/CAASL for Foreign Passport Holders/Dual Citizens to Arrive in Sri Lanka - 03 October 2021

New Health Guidelines issued - 30 September 2021

Quarantine measures for travelers arriving from overseas - 28 September 2021

100% cash margin on imports on LC and DA terms - 09 September 2021

All types of visas issued to foreigners extended by 30 days - 03 September 2021

Digital Registration on Entry Germany- 29 August 2021

Sri Lanka is a new high-risk country (Classfied by Robert Koch Institute, Germany) - 29 August 2021

Further information on the current entry regulations for Germany - 29 August 2021

Curfew Regulations - Published on 20 August 2021 (Curfew extended until 01 October)

Import and Export Regulation No 11 of 2021 - 31 July 2021

Quarantine and preventive measures for Travellers arriving from overseas (Notice by CAA) - 27 July 2021

Quarantine measures for travelers arriving from overseas - 07 July 2021

Quarantine measures for travelers arriving from overseas - 26 June 2021

Imports and Exports Control Regulation No. 10 of 2021 - 11 June 2021

Operating Instructions No 18/2021 - Regulation No 10 of 2021 - 11 June 2021

Taxpayer Registration, Income Tax Payments and Furnishing Return of Income for the Year of Assessment 2019/2020 - 11 June 2021

Quarantine measures for travelers arriving from overseas - 06 June 2021 

Repatriation of Export Proceeds into Sri Lanka Rules No. 4 of 2021 - 28 May 2021

Quarantine measures for travelers arriving from overseas - 28 May 2021

Temporary restriction imposed on inbound travelers to Sri Lanka lifted - CAA - 25 May 2021

Restrictions on permitted functions and inter-provincial travel - with effect from 12 May - 31 May 2021 

Quarantine measures for travelers published by Ministry of Health - 11 May 2021

Imports and Exports Control Regulation No. 07 of 2021 - 06 May 2021 

Ban on FCY sale against LKR to clients beyond spot extended until further notice - 25 April 2021

Revised Regulations issued under the Foreign Exchange Act, No.12 of 2017 - 23 April 2021

Repatriation of Export Proceeds into Sri Lanka Rules No. 3 of 2021 - 09 April 2021

Health Protocol for Arrivals to Sri Lanka Tourism Travel Bio Bubble Valid for arrivals from 7th April 2021

Quarantine measures for travelers published by Ministry of Health - 06 April 2021 

Quarantine measures for travelers - 18 March 2021

New Guidelines for those who undertake State/Business visits under Bio Safety Travel Bubble - 10 March 2021

Repatriation of Export Proceeds into Sri Lanka (Gazette 2215/39) - 18 February 2021

Imports and Exports Control Regulation No. 03 of 2021 - 11 February 2021 

Imports and Exports Control Regulation No. 02 of 2021 - 02 February 2021 

Operating Instructions 02/2021 - 13 January 2021

Imports and Exports Control Regulation No. 01 of 2021 - 05 January 2021  

Imports & Exports Control Regulation No. 11 of 2020 - 24 December 2020 

Post-Budget Import Duties - November 2020 

Post-Budget CESS Duties - November 2020 

Quarantine Procedure Applicable for Expatriates Arriving in Sri Lanka

Tripartite Agreement to Pro Rate wages was extended until 31 December 2020

Imports & Exports Control Regulation No. 08 of 2020. - October 19

Imports & Exports Control Regulation No. 07 of 2020. - September 15

Imports & Exports Control Regulation No. 04 of 2020 - July 16

Sri Lanka Government Notification on Import Restrictions (Operating Instructions 11/2020) - July 16

Imports & Exports Control Regulation No. 03 of 2020 - June 30 

Sri Lanka Government Notification on Import Restrictions - June 26

Sri Lanka Government Notification on Import Restrictions - June 19

Sri Lanka Government Notification on Import Restrictions (Operating Instruction 08/2020) - May 29

Sri Lanka Government Notification on Import Restrictions (Operating Instruction 07/2020) - May 22 

Import & Export Control Regulation No 02 of 2020 - May 22

Operational Guidelines on Preparedness and Response for COVID-19 Outbreak for Work Settings

Extraordinary Gazette / Sri Lankan Government Notification on import restrictions

3-Month Restriction imposed on Selected Outward Remittances (OIA, BFCA, PFCA and Migration Allowance)

Tax Update - Overview of policy changes under the prevailing situtation in Sri Lanka

Customs Procedures during the Corona Pandemic - Information Services and Contact Persons

Notice to Taxpayers: Withholding Tax (WHT) Payments for the Months of February and March 2020

IRD Notice on Value Added Tax (VAT) published on 26 March 2020

Extension for Stamp Duty Payment and Return for the Quarter ending 31 March 2020

Business continuation of export-oriented manufacturing enterprises considering COVID19 outbreak (English)

Business continuation of export-oriented manufacturing enterprises considering COVID19 outbreak (Sinhalese)

Measures to curtail Imports and Foreign Currency Investments - March 19

Important note from the BOI for Export Oriented Manufacturing Enterprises - March 19

General Information

Quarantine curfew in force in the Western Province 

Guidelines for Restriction of Activities in Non-Curfew Imposed Areas 

First Contacts will be Placed under Self-Quarantine - Head of NOCPCO - 26 October 2020

Curfew imposed in Fort, Pettah, Borella and Welikada police jurisdiction Divisions - 25 October 2020

Curfew Imposed in Gampaha District - 21 October 2020 

COVID-19 Regulations and Preventive Measues - 15 October 2020

Curfew Regulations Completely Lifted - June 28 

Latest Curfew Regulation - June 5

Instructions for Selected Public Activities/ Work Settings for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19

Partial lifting of the curfew in Sri Lanka – 23 May 2020 

Tips to safeguard your family & you when office reopens – Allianz

Appeal of the German Embassy for German citizens to return to Germany - March 20

Letter from the German Embassador to German citizens currently traveling or residing in Sri Lanka - March 18

List of postponed or cancelled trade fairs and exhibitions

BAUISPOMesse Duesseldorf, Messe Munich, Koelnmesse

For Tourists, Foreign Residents and the Local Population

New Health Guidelines to be followed until 31 May

Sri Lanka Tourism Safety Protocols - 06 January 2021

Resumption of Tourism in  Sri Lanka from 1st August 2020

Latest Curfew Regulation - June 5

Special flight from Colombo to Frankfurt on April 3rd - Organized by the German Federal Foreign Office

Offer by Qatar Airways: Change date of travel free of charge / Exchange for a future travel voucher / 10% Discount for Return Tickets

Tourists who are unable to find transport to travel to the airport are requested to contact nearest police station - March 21

Important visa information for foreigners who currently reside or travel in Sri Lanka - March 18

Update on Entry Requirements for Germany - Federal Foreign Office - March 17

Contact

For urgent questions, please contact Ms. Marie Antonia von Schönburg, Chief Delegate of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka ( schonburg@srilanka.ahk.de / +94 11 2314364 ).

In emergency situations, please get in direct contact with the German Embassy in Colombo (+94 11 2580431)