Sri Lanka Police on Thursday issued an islandwide directive to monitor and act against illegal drone imports, sales, repairs and operations, citing growing national security concerns under the prevailing emergency.
The directives were sent to all police stations after authorities flagged reports that certain institutions had been importing and trading drones and spare parts outside the legal framework. Police said drones could be misused to gather sensitive information and posed risks to national security “under the prevailing circumstances,” a phrase pointing to the State of Public Emergency extended for a third month and the wider Middle East security backdrop.
The public was warned not to operate drones near ancient sites, high-security zones or areas of religious significance. The Special Task Force is actively seizing drones used in violation of regulations.
Drone operations in Sri Lanka are already governed by the Civil Aviation Act No. 14 of 2010, which requires prior approval from the Police and other relevant authorities before any flight. Police said requests for clearance would be reviewed and responded to on a case-by-case basis.
“Before flying your drone, contact the relevant authorities and obtain the necessary permission,” the directive said.
The crackdown is the first nationwide enforcement push specifically targeting unregulated drone activity since the state of emergency was first proclaimed after Cyclone Ditwah and renewed through the Middle East shipping disruptions. It is also a notable shift from earlier guidance focused on hobbyist no-fly zones, which now extends to imports, the spares market and repair workshops.
