Sri Lanka - Bio-Security
With the continual change in protocols due to the pandemic, we outline the last-known situation below for yacht arrivals. Skippers should follow the recommended links in “resources” to confirm the latest protocols. Always check with your intended port of arrival before getting underway to be 100% certain of what is required. Please e-mail editor@noonsite.com if you find protocols have changed.
COVID-19: OPEN
Yachting Protocols:
October 2022
- An agent is required to clear into and out of Sri Lanka.
- Fully vaccinated travellers are exempted from pre-boarding and on arrival covid-19 test.
- Note: Proof of vaccination card (in English) must be carried throughout their travel.
- Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated persons of 12 years and above should mandatorily carry a negative Covid-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours prior to departure or a Rapid Antigen Test result done within 48 hours priors to departure. They will be exempted from on arrival (day one test).
- Children below 12 years are exempted from testing (pre-boarding & on arrival) and quarantine.
- Submission of a Health Declaration form is no longer required.
- Contact info@srilanka.travel.
Our thanks to Isle Shipping (Pvt) Ltd for updates throughout the Pandemic.
Resources:
Reports:
- Indian Ocean: Covid19 Field Report (March 20, 2020)
- Turkey to Indonesia via the Red Sea (October 2020)
Contacts:
Commodore Anura Danapala of the Sri Lankan Navy (+94 248 251 5051).
History:
- From 16 March, 2020, restrictions were put in place for people arriving from a range of countries.
- Arriving yachts had to complete a “General Health Report,” “Health Status Report,” and “Maritime Declaration of Health” in advance of arrival via their agent.
- Health checks were introduced on arrival, the visa on arrival service was suspended but travelers already in Sri Lanka were granted visa extensions.
- On 26 March maritime borders closed and visiting yachts were denied entry into ports and marinas.
- The entire country went into total lock down with a 24 hour curfew. The curfew was lifted every 4-5 days for 6-8 hours to allow people to access stores.
- Transiting yachts were permitted to anchor outside the harbor to re-supply, but crew were not permitted to go ashore. Agents were not permitted to work during the lockdown but the Navy assisted some boats with supplies.
- Yachts within Galle port area, that were already in the country prior to the lock down, were confined to within the port area and not permitted to leave – making getting money and provisions difficult.
- In May the Australian High Commission in Colombo actively tried to organize a safe harbor option in Sri Lanka for those yachts in Maldives who needed safe haven during the SW Monsoon.
- In Galle the curfew was lifted during morning hours in May and reimposed at 20:00 Hrs every night Monday to Friday.
- Sri Lanka airport opened to visitors on 21 January with visas only granted to air travelers staying at an approved resort. Maritime borders and entry of pleasure vessels remained closed.
- In July 2021 maritime borders re-opened, however, with vague rules for pleasure vessels and strict fines if protocols were no adhered to. Agents advised that yachts avoid Sri Lanka for the time being.
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
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Apr 22, 2019 12:43 PM
We used GAC in Galle and Nuwan in Galle did a good job with the paperwork but the GAC system is painful – all instructions have to go via GAC Colombo – and stuff gets lost in the communication. They also charged $400 for clearing in a 10kg parcel at Colombo and shipping to Galle Harbour. They are more geared to big ships, so, while I don’t have experience of the others, I wonder if there is a better alternative
Mar 31, 2019 09:20 AM
We had a great 25-day stay in Sri Lanka. Our boat was in Trincomalee the whole time, which we loved. The anchorage is flat calm and the town is quiet. We cleared in using Sandeep from GAC, who was extremely helpful to us.
We hired a driver, Raj, to get us around the Cultural Triangle for three days. He can be reached at +94 77 766 7256. He dropped us off at Kandy where we took the train down to Ella and back over three days, and then we had Raj organize a driver to get us to Wilpattu for a three-day safari then back to the boat.
Sri Lanka is a beautiful country. It’s unfortunate we can’t gunkhole, but I enjoyed our stay.
Provisioning is available. Food City is a small grocery store, but has meats (chicken, some pork and some beef), cheese, and basic pantry goods. Near the dock in Trinco, there are a few small shops with staples. Dried beans, raisins and dates are easy to find.
We used Dialogue for our SIM, and got 30 GB (with time restrictions) for $8USD.
clif everett says:
Feb 23, 2019 04:35 AM
Tango shipping agency got us through customs formalities on a national holiday at 8pm. I was amazed. The price was $325. We were able to go to dinner that same evening.
When we arrived in Sri Lanka we called for Tango Shipping Agency on the Ch 16 – Mr Chatura and Nilusha were great and went beyond the formalities to enter the country. Mr Chatura is a man of the sea, very experienced in many areas and helped us a lot in electrical problems for free! They were clear, helpful and kind and we became friends.
We also made friends with the helpful and smiley Ekka, the tuk-tuk driver that knows everything and everyone – http://www.ekkatours.com +94723371116. We loved Sri Lanka, thank you all!
Steve – the best group to get involved with is the Red Sea Passage Facebook Group. See https://noonsite.wccstaging.com/General/Piracy/red-sea-passage-facebook-group.
There is also a facebook group for Crossing the Indian Ocean (on passage)
I am planning to sail from Sri Lanka to the Red Sea early in 2019 and would like to communicate with other sailors (owners and/or crew) interested in doing the same.
To everyone planning to go to Trincomalee Sri Lanka…
TWO important points…
NIGHT TIME ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE
Be advised that entrance or exit in or out of Trincomalee Port is NOT allowed at night. There will be no circumstance that will permit entrance at night. There are no lighted buoys, and the harbormaster is not willing to be responsible for your nighttime entrance/departure. You must heave to or drift until morning if you arrive at night. Plan your arrivals accordingly.
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE TO PORT
Be advised that it is a big problem if you arrive in Trincomalee with clearance to a port of “Maldives” or anything besides “Trincomalee, Sri Lanka” or “High Seas”. GAC agent Sandeep worked hard for many hours today to get the problem cleared up with customs, and it is now resolved, but be aware that common practice elsewhere is not common practice here.
We cannot speak highly enough of our agent, Sandeep Kavinda Wickramarathne, from GAC Shipping Ltd. (Ph +94764675451). We paid US$310 to GAC Shipping for their services for a one month stay in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. We found them to be very professional and efficient. Clearing in was no problem and very friendly. Nobody asked for any extra fees.
The harbour is an excellent place to anchor and leave your boat for a few days exploring inland. Trincomalee is a nice sized town to use as a base for further travel inland. We had an excellent and well-priced guide – Yosef Ph.+94778802557. His price included all his expenses and then we paid for our meals and hotel on top of that. We were not approached by any fishermen upon entering the harbour.
We chose Trincomalee because we had heard that the concrete plant in Gal leaves concrete dust all over your boat.
Overall a great anchorage with good holding, easy access and great people.