How to get a drone permit in Sri Lanka

The current CAASL standard also asks for these, so sort them out first:

• You are registered with CAASL as a drone pilot and hold a Flyer ID, which you get by passing its online training and theory exam. This applies to visitors too.
• Your drone is registered with CAASL. Drones with a camera need registration even under 250 g.
• Your drone has public liability insurance if it weighs 250 g or more.
• You know the exact places you want to fly, with an address or GPS location for each.

Read the full Sri Lanka drone rules for the details behind each point.

Open the CAASL drone zone map and look up every place you plan to fly. It shows restricted, authorisation, altitude and warning areas. This tells you if you need extra approvals in step 2, or if a place cannot be flown at all.

• Restricted areas: no drone may fly there on a normal clearance. For a real need, ask the Ministry of Defence for special clearance at least 14 days before the flight.
• Archaeological sites, such as Sigiriya: get a special approval or no objection letter from the relevant authority, such as the Department of Archaeology.
• Wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and forest reserves: get approval and a no objection letter from the authority that manages the area.
• Airports: flights inside an airport zone on the map need approval from that airport's air traffic control.
• Private property, hotels and venues: get permission from the owner or management.
• Public areas, for commercial flights: get a no objection letter from the police.

Approval letters should show the dates, times and the drone operator's details. The Ministry of Defence publishes a sample no objection form.

For a leisure flight (holiday, personal use)

• The completed online application
• A copy of your passport biodata page (Sri Lankans can use their National Identity Card or driving licence)
• Your full name without initials, exactly as it appears in your passport
• The address or GPS location of each flight

For a commercial flight (paid work, clients, brands)

• The completed online application
• A request letter from the client on company letterhead, with the location, date and time of the flight and the drone operator's details
• A copy of the operator's passport biodata page, National Identity Card or driving licence
• Approvals or no objection letters from the relevant authorities, such as the property owner or management, and the police for public areas
• The details of every pilot and every drone taking part, all in one application

The Ministry of Defence says a commercial flight must never be declared as a leisure flight.

Go to the CAASL Drone Flight Approval Portal. The portal asks you to check the map, fill in the application with pilot and drone details, then upload your documents and wait for CAASL approval.

You do not apply to the Ministry of Defence yourself. It only gives security clearance for applications that CAASL forwards through the portal. The Ministry's drone section works on working days, Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:15, and not on government holidays. Applications sent at the weekend are handled on the next working day. If other government bodies must approve, it takes longer.

There is no published processing time, so apply as early as you can. Do not fly until your approval arrives.

• Carry your approval, proof of drone registration and your Flyer ID.
• Fly only at the places and times in your approval.
• Follow the flying rules: 120 m maximum height, keep the drone in sight, daylight only, no flying over crowds, and no flying in rain or strong wind.

Special operations, such as drone swarms, follow CAASL publication SLCAP 4620 and must reach the Ministry of Defence at least three weeks before the flight.

• CAASL: the drones page has forms, contact details and updates.
• Ministry of Defence drone section: +94 11 280 8961, or see its drone clearance page.