Border Management

Ports Branch

The major functions of this branch are to render an efficient service to the foreigners as well as Sri Lankans who travel in and out of the country through approved ports. While   performing its duties the branch ensures the national security of the country and contributes to economic development.

Ports branch at Head Office is located on the 6^th floor, Wing A & B in Department of Immigration and Emigration, performs the functions of providing corresponding facilities and other supportive services while conducting relevant investigations.

Approved ports for arrival and departure

Airports

1. Bandaranaike International Airport - Katunayaka
2. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport
3. Colombo International Airport – Ratmalana
4. Jaffna International Airport
5. Koggala Airport
6. Batticaloa  International Airport

Seaports

7. Colombo Port
8. Galle Port
9. Hambantota International Port
10. Trincomalee Port
11. Kankasanthurai Port
12. Thalaimannar Pier
13. Norochcholai Port
14. Oluwil Port

Tasks

1. Performing clearance activities of the passengers travelling in and out of Sri Lanka.
2. Granting ETA at the ports to the foreigners who arrive into Sri Lanka without obtaining ETA.
3. Issuance of permits to the naval crew in a ship anchored in any approved port in Sri Lanka to temporarily enter into the land.
4. Issuance of bonds (stickers) to naval crew visiting Sri Lanka.
5. Granting approval to dispatch passports of the persons who need to get visa to enter into the countries where foreign embassies are not located in Sri Lanka through courier service / third party where relevant embassies are located.
6. Issuance of letters containing the details of immigration and emigration of persons who have gone aboard based on the requirement of various institutions.
7. Executing of prohibition orders issued by the Courts regarding arrival and departure of persons and performing duties related to the letters received from various institutions inquiring on the arrival and departure of persons.
8. Granting approval to requests made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs to repatriate human remains and human ashes of ex- Sri Lankans.
9. Issuance of Immigration / Emigration forms to be completed by the passengers at the ports in arriving and departing from Sri Lanka.
10. Monitoring, supervising, reviewing and updating the services of the Immigration and Emigration Officers attached to the Ports.
11. Coordinating local and foreign training courses to Immigration and Emigration Officers with the assistance of high commissions and embassies in Sri Lanka to facilitate career advancement.

Services provided by the Ports branch - Head Office

1. Granting approval to dispatch passports from Sri Lanka to overseas and overseas to Sri Lanka.
   1. Through a courier service
   2. Through a third party
      
      Documents required
      1. Passport and a copy of bio-data page of it.
      2. A request letter from the passport holder.
      3. An undertaking letter from a courier service and a copy of it.
      4. Relevant supporting documents mentioning the purpose of sending the passport.
      5. If a passport of child (who is below 16 years of age) is to be sent, a consent letter by a parent should be submitted along with a photocopy of the birth certificate of the child.
      6. An instance where a passport is dispatched through a third party; the following documents should be submitted.
         • A request letter from the passport holder nominating a third person to carry the passport on behalf of him/her.
         • A letter from the third person requesting permission from Controller General of Department of Immigration and Emigration to hand carry the passport on behalf of the passport holder.
      7. An instance when dispatching a passport to overseas which is issued by the overseas mission branch, the following documents should be submitted.
         • New passport along with a copy of the bio-data page of it.
         • The endorsement granted by overseas mission branch on the request letter of the holder.
         • A copy of the national identity card of the authorized person.
         • An undertaking letter from a courier service and a copy of it.
         • If the passport is sent by a third person, his/her letter of consent to deliver the said passport to the owner.
           
           N.B: Fee of Rs.2,000/- is charged for each passport for above purposes and the payment can be made on working days  from 9.00 a.m to 3.00 p.m only.
            
2. Issuance of bonds (stickers) for overseas Naval Crew
   
   Every member of a naval crew should sign a bond before entering in to the country. These bonds are issued to the foreigners serving in ships entering to Sri Lanka and foreigners departing from Sri Lanka after completing naval service.  Relevant bond fee should be paid to Department of Immigration and Emigration by the local representative of the person seeking such entry into the country. A sticker with a barcode is issued to the representatives after making the relevant payment.
   
   N.B: Fee of USD 25 is charged for each bond sticker for above purposes and the payment can be made on working days from 9.00 a.m to 3.00 p.m only.
    
3. Providing travel details of persons based on the request of government institutions.
    
4. Transferring arrival endorsements from Sri Lankan passports to foreign passports of dual citizens and Ex-Sri Lankans.
    
5. Handing over of impounded alien travel documents to the respective foreign missions in Sri Lanka
    
6. Preparation of correspondence to various stakeholders
    
7. Providing travel information of missing persons in Sri Lanka or overseas to their immediate family members.
    
8. Granting approval to requests made by Ministry of Foreign Affairs to repatriate human remains and human ashes of ex - Sri Lankans.

Contact Details
Address – Ports Branch, 6^th Floor, Department of Immigration and Emigration, “Suhurupaya”, Battaramulla
Telephone Number - +94 11 2 101581
Email Address - dcports@immigration.gov.lk
                           aoports@immigration.gov.lk
                           hoports@immigration.gov.lk

Contact Details of Officers