Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. The Immigration Department lists approved seaports including Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Trincomalee, Kankesanthurai, Thalaimannar, Norochcholai and Oluvil. A port’s approved status does not mean it can process private-yacht formalities or provide yacht berthing. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority currently says Galle is the country’s only port with recreational yacht facilities. Before planning an arrival, ask the Ports Authority, harbour master, Customs and Immigration whether the chosen port accepts foreign private yachts, has a berth available and can provide current clearance services.

Sri Lanka Immigration lists approved seaports for people’s border formalities, including Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai. This does not establish that these ports accept private yachts or can complete vessel customs clearance. Confirm the yacht’s first port of entry with SLPA, Immigration and Customs before departure.

Noonsite’s Sri Lanka yacht information (24 May 2024) recommends contacting an agent in advance to arrange arrival/departure clearance. The same page says crew must apply for and obtain any required visa before arrival. The guide is dated; agent requirements, visa rules and reporting procedures may have changed. Confirm with the intended port authority and Immigration.

Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration lists approved arrival/departure ports including Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Trincomalee, Kankesanthurai, Thalaimannar, Norochcholai, Oluvil and Colombo CHEC Port City. Its Ports Section conducts border checks for passengers at approved ports and may issue temporary shore passes for naval personnel or crew aboard berthed vessels. The list does not guarantee private-yacht clearance at every port. Before sailing, confirm yacht acceptance, ETA/visa and crew-list requirements with Immigration and the port authority.

Noonsite’s Sri Lanka yacht guide (24 May 2024) says yachts generally use a local agent for arrival and departure clearance and lists Colombo, Galle and Trincomalee as ports of entry. This information may be outdated. Confirm directly with Customs and the port before departure whether an agent is mandatory, what documents are needed and which ports can process the vessel.

Sri Lanka’s National Plant Quarantine Service import guidance expressly says authorized officers may inspect vessels, onboard stores, holds and cargo. Plants, planting materials and other restricted items may require an import permit and phytosanitary certificate in advance, and may be inspected, treated, quarantined, re-exported or destroyed. Animals and animal products are also subject to quarantine rules. Before sailing, declare onboard food, plants, animals and fishing gear, and confirm current requirements with NPQS and the animal quarantine authority.

Sri Lanka Customs classifies weapons, firearms and ammunition as controlled goods requiring approval from the relevant authority; imported goods must also be declared as required. Traveller baggage guidance is not the same as rules for vessel stores. Before arrival, obtain written confirmation from Customs, Defence and other relevant authorities on permits, custody and departure requirements for firearms, ammunition, medicines and other controlled items aboard a private yacht, and declare them accurately.

Sri Lanka Immigration handles people’s entry and exit at approved seaports; vessel clearance must also be confirmed with Customs and the port authority. No official webpage was found confirming that yachts may clear only at Colombo/Galle or that they must use an agent. Check each port directly; cruising-association or agent information is only a reference.

The Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s 2026 Tariff lists yacht port charges for pleasure craft/yachts: arrival at an outer roadstead or mid-stream anchorage costs USD 100 for each 30-day period or part thereof. A yacht occupying a berth alongside is charged an additional dockage fee of USD 0.30 per hour or part of an hour, per 100 GT or part thereof. These are SLPA yacht port charges, not a total covering agents, visas, Customs, quarantine, Navy, supplies or other services. Section 124 of the Customs Ordinance allows Customs to withhold vessel clearance until port dues, fees, fines or other amounts payable for the voyage are settled. Before departure, reconcile the final bill and departure documents with SLPA/the local agent and Customs.