Special Provisions

Granting citizenship to persons  of Indian origin

Issuing certificates to the persons of Indian Origin confirming the citizenship on their request under the provisions of Act No 39 of 1988 and Act No 35 of 2003.

Am I eligible to apply for confirmation certificate of Sri Lankan citizenship under this category ?

If you are a person of Indian Origin who had been residing in Sri Lanka before the appointed date of Citizenship Act (15.11.1948) or a descendant of such person, you can apply for a citizenship confirmation certificate under this category.

How can I obtain an application form ?

1. Indo-Lanka Citizenship Division at The Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Subhuthipura road, "Suhurupaya", Battaramulla.
2. Printable version of the application form is available. download here

Instructions for filling of the application

1. Application  under the Act No 39 of 1988. (Please See Guideline No 1988/01)
2. Application under the Act No 35 of 2003.  (Please See Guideline No 2003/01)

What are the documents required to be submitted along with the application?

1. Copy of the Birth Certificate of the applicant
2. Copy of the National Identity card of the applicant (If available)
3. Copy of the marriage certificate of the applicant (If married)
4. Copy of the citizenship certificate of the parents of the applicant (If available)

Following documents should be submitted in case of non-availability of birth and marriage certificates.

1. Birth certificate of a child of the applicant
2. An affidavit confirming  the birth and marriage of the applicant.

Additional documents applicable only to Indian Passport Holders.

1. A copy of the letter of acknowledgement of the special decleration  issued by the Department of registration of Indian origin persons under the provisions of section 02 of Act No 35 of 2003.
2. A clear copy of an applicant’s most recent Indian passport.

Where can I submit the completed application forms?

You can personally  handover or send them, by post to the  Indo-Lanka Citizenship Division at  Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Subhuthipura road,  "Suhurupaya", Battaramulla, between 9 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on week days. ( Except public holidays)

How long will it take to get my citizenship certificate?

1. According to the law, 60 working days from the date of receipt of the application.
2. If the application is successfully submitted according to the instructions, citizenship certificate will be issued within 30 working days.

What are the legal provisions applicable for this citizenship category ? ( Read about us for historical background )

1. Grant of citizenship to stateless persons Act No 39 of 1988 and subsequent amendment
2. Grant of citizenship to persons of Indian origin Act No35 of 2003 and subsequent amendment
3. Issuing acknowledgement letters to the Indian passport holders under the provisions of section 02 of the Act No 35 of 2003.

Granting Citizenship to persons of Chinese origin

Grant of citizenship to persons of Chinese origin Act, No: 38 of 2008  was enacted with a view to granting citizenship by registration to persons with Chinese origin who had come to Sri Lanka on or before 15.11.1948 and had been living in Sri Lanka since then and to the descendants of such persons. 

This Act which came in to force since 31.10.2008. validity of the Act had been limited for a period of 05 years in terms of the provisions stipulated in section 09 of this Act. Accordingly, the effective period of the Act was terminated on 30.10.2013. Therefore, applications are not accepted from the Chinese origin persons who are currently residing in Sri Lanka to grant the Sri Lankan citizenship. However, in terms of the provisions of section 04 of this Act, it is possible to confirm the citizenship for a person who got the citizenship by registration or a descendant of such person who has been issued a citizenship certificate after submitting the information on the relevant registration.