Drone No-Fly Zones in Sri Lanka
Last verified 2026-07-19 · Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL)
Where drones cannot fly in Sri Lanka: airports, military areas, prisons, power plants, heritage and wildlife sites, and how to check zones on the official maps.
By the Sri Lanka Drone Editorial Team · Last reviewed 19 July 2026
Quick answer
Sri Lanka restricts drone flights around airports and helipads, military and security-sensitive locations, prisons, power plants and other protected infrastructure, and controls flights over archaeological sites, national parks and wildlife reserves through separate site authorities. The authoritative reference for aviation zones is the official CAASL Drone Zone Map, and flights in or near restricted areas require the GPS coordinates to be submitted with the CAASL approval application.
- Responsible authority
- Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL)
- Who this applies to
- All drone operators planning flights in Sri Lanka.
- Verification status
- verified against official source
- Last verified
- 19 July 2026
- Last reviewed
- 19 July 2026
The main categories of restricted area
CAASL's published rules prohibit flying near airports, helipads and areas where emergency responses are under way, and over sensitive or protected sites such as prisons, military bases and power plants. Beyond aviation rules, separate legal protections cover archaeological sites, controlled by the Department of Archaeology, and national parks, forests and reserves, controlled by the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Forest Department.
Security-driven restrictions also appear temporarily, for example around ports during military exercises, which is why the live official map and current notices matter more than any static list.
How to check a zone
Use the CAASL Drone Zone Map for aviation and security zones and the Department of Archaeology map for heritage sites, then follow the structured location check described in the maps section. Where a planned flight touches a restricted or prohibited area, CAASL asks applicants to submit the GPS coordinates of those locations with the CAA/AS/017 form, so restricted-area flights are a matter for the application, not for improvisation on site.
Temporary restrictions
Zones are not static. Military exercises, VIP movements, port operations and emergencies can suspend drone activity in an area at short notice. Check the official map and any published notices close to your flight date, and treat instructions from security personnel on the ground as controlling regardless of prior planning.
Frequently asked questions
Where are drones banned in Sri Lanka?
Published rules prohibit flying near airports, helipads and emergency scenes, and over sensitive sites such as prisons, military bases and power plants. Heritage and wildlife sites are controlled separately. The CAASL Drone Zone Map is the official aviation reference.
Can I ever fly in a restricted area?
Some zones allow operations with specific authorisation. Submit the GPS coordinates with your CAASL application and follow the authority's decision; only the official approval determines what is allowed.
Are no-fly zones the same all year?
No. Temporary restrictions appear around exercises, events and security situations. Check the live official map and notices near your flight date.
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