Last update: July 12, 2022
***As of June 12, 2022 at 12:01AM ET, the CDC order requires all persons two years of age and older to show a negative COVID-19 test result or who has recovered from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the U.S. file, withdrawn. Beginning at 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, CDC will no longer require air passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result or a COVID-19 recovery document before boarding a flight to the United States. Notably, The CDC’s order to require proof of vaccinations for non-citizen and nonimmigrant travel to the United States remains in effect.For more information, see Requirements for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for air passengers.
Check out the CDC website for more information and frequently asked questions.
country specific information
- Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health has confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka, including B.1.1.7 (Alpha variant), B.1.617.2 (Delta variant), B.1.1.529 (Omicron variant) and BA .2 ( Omicron sub-variants).
- In areas where cases are rising, the Sri Lankan government will institute preventive measures, including curfews and travel restrictions. These restrictions are not always announced in advance or enforced consistently. Follow directions from local authorities, including those related to physical distancing and face coverings. Failure to follow precautions may result in involuntary isolation or criminal charges.
- The new guidelines limit the number of people who can attend many events, including wedding celebrations, public gatherings, dining in restaurants and more. Please follow local guidelines before engaging in any public activity.
- From September 15, 2021, entry into public spaces, including hotels, will require proof of vaccination.
- The Sri Lankan government has set up a hotline for tourists who have problems arranging transportation to and from the airport:
- +94 (011) 244-4480
- +94 (011) 244-4481
- +94 (011) 597-8730
- +94 (011) 597-8734
- +94 (011) 597-8720
COVID-19 testing
- Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for US citizens in Sri Lanka?Yes
- If so, are test results reliably available within 24 hours? Yes, but check with the testing site you are using to see if they can return results within the necessary time frame.
- Citizens can be tested for COVID-19 at any private hospital in Sri Lanka. The average cost per test is 9,000-13,000 LKR (approximately US$50-70).
- Test results are forwarded by email.
- The Sri Lanka Ministry of Health website contains information on the COVID-19 response.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- Has the Sri Lankan government approved the use of a COVID-19 vaccine?Yes
- Are there vaccines available in Sri Lanka for US citizens? The vaccine is only available to U.S. citizens 30 years of age or older on a resident visa. Other U.S. citizens who wish to be vaccinated should travel to the United States to be vaccinated.
- Colombo has established six (6) vaccination centres for public vaccination. Colombo residents need to contact the Ministry of Health officials or public health inspector’s office in their area and register for the vaccine, or they can go to the nearest center and wait for the vaccination.
- What vaccines are available in Sri Lanka? Oxford Astra-Zeneca, Covishield (Indian Serum Institute), Sinopharm, Gamaleya (Sputnic V) and Pfizer. When visiting a vaccine clinic in Sri Lanka, clients often cannot choose which vaccine to receive. U.S. citizens who want specific vaccines can travel to the U.S. to do so.
- Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about US FDA-approved vaccines.
- The U.S. government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country development and COVID-19 vaccination guidelines.
Entry and Exit Requirements
- Can US citizens enter?Yes
- Cruise ship or private watercraft passengers are not allowed to disembark.
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? No (effective March 1, 2022)
- Are there health screening procedures at airports and other ports of entry?Yes
- Visitors who wish to stay in Sri Lanka for more than 30 days can apply for a visa extension. Short-term visitor visas can be extended for 90 days from the date of arrival in the first instance and a further 90 days in the second instance. For more details, please visit http://www.immigration.gov.lk.
- For information on CDC’s requirement that all travelers to the United States present a limited humanitarian waiver for testing negative for COVID, see COVID-19 Traveler Information. Humanitarian exemptions from this order will be granted on an extremely limited basis and will only be considered if the country of departure lacks sufficient COVID-19 testing capacity. To submit information in support of a waiver, please email
Co*************@st***.gov
- From January 1, 2022, all visitors to Sri Lanka (whether vaccinated or not) must have COVID insurance, currently set at $12/month. Please visit helloagain (srilanka.travel) for the latest information.
Movement restrictions
- Is the curfew in place?Do not
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel?Do not
Quarantine Information
- Do U.S. citizens need to quarantine? Yes. Travellers who have not been vaccinated against the full course of COVID-19 vaccine must quarantine in government hotels for 7 days upon arrival in the country. Fully vaccinated travelers, those who have received a complete vaccine (usually two doses) and wait two weeks before traveling, are exempt from quarantine.
- Due to frequent changes, please check http://eta.gov.lk/slvisa for information on visa and travel restrictions in Sri Lanka.
Transportation options
- Are commercial flights operating?Yes
- Is public transportation running?Yes
Violation fines
- Failure to comply with host country regulations regarding social distancing or other COVID-19 precautions may result in fines or arrest.
Consular business
- The U.S. Embassy in Colombo currently provides routine U.S. citizen services (i.e. passports, consular reporting of births abroad, and notary services).
- The U.S. Embassy in Colombo offers limited immigrant visa (IV) and nonimmigrant visa (NIV) services:
- IV: Immediate family and family preference cases are currently being processed.
- NIV: Student visas, petition visas and crew/transit visas and B1/B2 (visitor) visas are currently being processed with reduced capacity.
local resources
- Travelers are encouraged to review the COVID-19 information available on state.gov
- For the latest information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- We encourage you to visit state.gov to review your personal travel advisories for the most immediate threats to your health and safety. Please also visit the website of the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate for information such as entry restrictions, foreign quarantine policies, and emergency health information provided by the local government.
- Travelers are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and find you more easily in an emergency. The department uses these alerts to communicate information about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, natural disasters, and more. In an emergency, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or call the following number: 1(888) 407-4747 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada) or 1 (202) 501 from other countries or jurisdictions -4444.
- The Sri Lanka Ministry of Health website contains information on the COVID-19 response.
