Regulating Authorities

The Department of Imports and Exports Control

The Department of Imports and Exports Control was established in 1969 by the Import and Export (Control) Act No. 01 of 1969 with the objective of controlling imports and Exports of Sri Lanka. Department of Imports and Exports Control is the regulatory body of controlling Imports and Exports subjected to license requirement.

Import and Export (Control) Act No. 01 of 1969 http://www.imexport.gov.lk/images/imex_acts.pdf

Relevant Gazette Notifications
http://www.imexport.gov.lk/index.php/en/downloads/gazette.html

Importers as well as exporters who need to obtain Import Control License require to register with online system of the Imports and Exports Control Department and to submit an online application.
Registration process and submission of online application can be accessed through the link
https://eservices.imexport.gov.lk/login


Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL)

The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) was established under the Sri Lanka Telecommunication (Amendment) Act No. 27 of 1996 as the national regulatory agency for telecommunications in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Telecommunication (Amendment) Act No. 27 of 1996 https://www.trc.gov.lk/2014-06-09-09-55-30/2014-07-15-04-54-15/2014-05-13-12-24-49.html

For the importation of any telecommunication equipment or radio communication equipment to Sri Lanka, importers require to obtain vendor license from Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka.

Guidelines given by TRC for obtaining vendor license Link

Vendor license application can be obtained from the Link and duly filled application along with required documents can be forwarded to TRCSL


Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI)

Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) is the National Standards Body of Sri Lanka, established under Sri Lanka Standards Institution Act No. 6 of 1984, earlier the Bureau of Ceylon Standards under the Bureau of Ceylon Standards Act No. 38 of 1964.

Standards Institution Act No. 6 of 1984 https://www.slsi.lk/images/downloads/Acts/Sri-Lanka-Standards-Institution-Act-No.6-of-1984.pdf

Bureau of Ceylon Standards Act No. 38 of 1964
https://www.slsi.lk/images/downloads/Acts/Bureau-of-Ceylon-Standards-Act-No.-38-of-1964.pdf

Importers and clearing agents shall register with SLSI submitting the duly filled application along with required documents to SLSI, get access to on-line system of Import Inspection Scheme.
Application can be obtained from the link
https://www.slsi.lk/images/downloads/import_inspection/Form_to_be_filled_by_Importers_and_Clearing_Agents_pages-1-2.pdf

Import Inspection Scheme of SLSI
https://www.nationalsinglewindow.gov.lk/tradeportal


Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council

Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council is responsible as per Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Act No. 40 of 2014 to regulate imports and exports of radioactive sources and irradiating apparatus (X-ray machines, linear accelerators etc.).

Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Act No.40 of 2014 https://www.aerc.gov.lk/Home/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&download=59:sri-lanka-atomic-energy-act-no-40-of-2014-english-edition&id=14:act-and-regulation&Itemid=167&lang=en

Importers or exporters need to obtain approval from Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council if any radioactive sources or X-ray machines to be imported or exported in to or out from Sri Lanka


Application can be obtained from the following link
Link


Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA)

Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) is established under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 09 of 2003.
Importers have to obtain approval for Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for goods which subject to MRP, from CAA, submitting duly filled application along with required documents.

Application can be obtained from the following link http://www.caa.gov.lk/web/images/MRP/MRP_Softcopy.pdf


National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA)

National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) established under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015, is the authorization agency for importing and exporting of any medicines, medical devices, borderline products and cosmetics intended for human use, presented in its finished dosage forms.

National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015
http://nmra.gov.lk/images/PDF/Legislation/5e_nmdra_07.pdf

Importers and exporters can register with NMRA through the following link

Link


National Plant Quarantine Services

Permit for importation of plants and plant products should be obtained from National Plant Quarantine Service according to the regulations made under the Plant Protection Act No. 35 of 1999.

Sri Lanka Telecommunication (Amendment) Act No. 27 of 1996 https://www.trc.gov.lk/2014-06-09-09-55-30/2014-07-15-04-54-15/2014-05-13-12-24-49.html

Plant Protection Act No. 35 of 1999

Link

Applications for obtaining permits can be downloaded through the following link Link
Importers can submit the duly completed import permit application along with connected documents to National Plant Quarantine Service, Katunayake.


National Films Corporation

Importation of films is regulated by the National Films Corporation of Sri Lanka. Registered importers can import films by obtaining approval from National Films Corporation

Application for approval can be obtained through the following link http://www.nfc.gov.lk/importation.php


Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH)

Any person/ organization intending to import live animals, animal products, animal by products, animal feeds, feed ingredients, veterinary drugs and biological materials should obtain prior approval from the Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health under the provisions of Animal Diseases Act No. 59 of 1992.

Animal Diseases Act No. 59 of 1992. http://www.daph.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44&Itemid=145&lang=en

Applications for approvals can be obtained through the following link

Link


Central Environmental Authority (CEA)

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) was established in August 1981 under the provision of the National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980 regulatory powered under the National Environment (Amendment) Acts No. 56 of 1988 and No. 53 of 2000.

Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980 and the National Environment (Amendment) Acts No. 56 of 1988 and No. 53 of 2000. http://www.cea.lk/web/en/acts-regulations

Polythene and Plastic Importers shall register under Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and the importers of electronic wastes, waste recycle materials, chemicals and chemical products shall obtain approval from Central Environmental Authority (CEA).



Relevant application can be obtained from the following link Link


Ministry of Defense (MoD)

Importers of communication equipment, dangerous cargo, camouflage items, inboard/outboard boat engines, arms and ammunition need to get approval from Ministry of Defense for the importations. Further the vendors’ registration at Ministry of Defense is a must

More details can be checked with https://www.defence.lk/Services/


Ministry of Health

Sri Lankan Food Control Administration Unit (FCAU) of Ministry of Health regulates all food items imported to the country except live animals, animal products, feed and plant products. All food items arriving in to the country should comply with the food (labelling and advertising) regulations 2005 and any other relevant regulations under the food Act No. 26 of 1980.

Food Act No. 26 of 1980. http://eohfs.health.gov.lk/food/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=158&lang=en

Other relevant regulations Link