Hand holding a rugged tablet showing an abstract dark zone map with cyan outlines, above paddy fields at sunset

Official Drone and Restricted Area Maps for Sri Lanka

3 published guides · verified against official sources

The official maps every drone operator in Sri Lanka should know: what each map shows, who publishes it, what it confirms and what it does not.

Quick answer

Two official maps matter for drone planning in Sri Lanka. The CAASL Drone Zone Map shows restricted, authorisation and warning zones and other aviation considerations, and the Department of Archaeology map shows protected heritage locations that need separate permission. Both should be checked for every flight. Neither map by itself constitutes flight approval; approvals come through the official application process.

What each official map shows

CAASL Drone Zone Map

Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka

What it shows

  • Restricted, authorisation and warning zones
  • Airport and aerodrome environments
  • Geographical guidance for planning

What it does not confirm

  • That a specific flight is approved
  • Temporary restrictions announced at short notice
  • Site-owner or ground permissions
Open the official map(opens official external site)How to read the zone map →

Archaeology sites map

Department of Archaeology

What it shows

  • Protected monuments and archaeological reserves
  • Where heritage no-objections may be needed
  • Site boundaries for planning

What it does not confirm

  • Aviation zone status for the same location
  • That heritage permission has been granted
  • Photography rules inside ticketed sites
Open the official map(opens official external site)Heritage map guide →

Guides in this section

Current official guidance

The CAASL Drone Zone Map: How to Use It

How to use the official CAASL Drone Zone Map for Sri Lanka: what the zones mean, what the map confirms, what it does not, and how it fits the approval process.

Read the guide
Current official guidance

The Department of Archaeology Map and Drone Flights

How to use the Department of Archaeology's official map when planning drone flights in Sri Lanka, and why heritage sites need a separate no-objection letter.

Read the guide
Editorial guidance

How to Check a Drone Location in Sri Lanka

A practical checklist for checking any Sri Lankan location before a drone flight: official maps, airports, heritage, wildlife, security and landowner checks.

Read the guide

In development

The following guides are on the editorial roadmap and will be published after official-source verification. They are not yet available.

  • Understanding Drone Map Zones
  • Restricted, Authorisation and Warning Zones

Frequently asked questions

Does Sri Lanka Drone publish its own drone map?

No. This platform links to and explains the live official maps rather than reproducing official map data. The official sources remain authoritative and current.