Ministry of Defence has lifted the pre-travel approval to Jaffna exclusively for foreign passport holders with effect from 04th July 2011.

Foreign passport holders are no longer required to produce a MOD travel approval document at Omanthai entry/exist point- the main travel checking point located in Vavuniya or at Airports when traveling by Air to Jaffna.

However, all foreign passport holders (regardless of whether they are of Sri Lankan origin) travelling to Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts are requested to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

1. Application

Forms to be filled by the travelers going to the Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts  individually or otherwise are as follows:

Form A - Individual travellers ( Attached )
Form B - Families and groups ( Attached )

Information required in Forms A and B are as follows:

(a) Names and Passport details (with copies of passports)
(b) Purpose of the Visit
(c) Specific areas to be visited (certain areas in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu are not accessible due to ongoing de-mining activities)
(d) Dates of Travel
(e) Mode of Transport


2. Procedure

Travelers are required to submit duly filled Form A or Form B, along with a copy/ copies of photo pages of the passport/passports to the MOD in Colombo with a copy to the Sri Lanka High Commission in London by email.

By e-mail: [please note that an Attachment must be less than 100Kb]

MOD E-mail address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Copy to Sri Lanka High Commission, London e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The authorization letter will be faxed by the MOD to a Sri Lanka fax number or should be collected from the office at the main entrance to the MOD at No 3, Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo 1.

3. Visitors contact details in Sri Lanka:

A Sri Lankan fax number must also be indicated to receive the authorization letter.

Those who are unable to provide a local fax number to receive the approval letter (as prescribed in Serial Nos 06 and 07 in the Forms A and B respectively) should collect the approval letter from the office at the main entrance to the MOD at No 3, Baladaksha Mawatha, Colombo 1, prior to their visit to the areas under reference.

4. Visits by journalists

Requests by foreign media seeking permission to travel to Sri Lanka should be forwarded to the Information Division of the Sri Lanka High Commission in London, and follow the relevant procedures. Their accreditation passes will be issued by the Public Communications Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.

For any further inquiries please call/write to Defence Division – Sri Lanka High Commission

Telephone - no 020 72621841 ext 236


[Sample Letter ]

Domestic Aviation Services in Sri Lanka