The Government Information Center

For Persons of Indian Origin
Issuing certificates to the persons of Indian Origin confirming the citizenship on their request under the Act No 39 of1988 and Act No 35 of 2003.

Am I eligible to apply for confermation 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 confermation certificate under this category.

How can I obtain an application form ?

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

Application No.	Description
IC/C/SPA	Application for Citizenship Certificate Under the Provisions of Act No 39 of 1988
C/P/I/O/2003/01	Application for Citizenship Certificate Under the Provisions of Act No 35 of 2003
C/P/I/O/2003/02	Special declaration, made by Indian passport holders to be a Sri Lankan under the provisions of section 02 of the Act No 35 of 2003.

Instructions for filling of the application

1. Applications under the Act No 39 of 1988.
2. Application under the Act No 35 of 2003.

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 issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration 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 personaly handover or send them, by post to the Indo-Lanka Citizenship Division at Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, "Suhurupaya", Battaramulla. between 9 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on week days

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 ?

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.
    

For Persons of Chinese origin
Grant of citizenship to persons of Chinese origin Act No 38 of 2008 has been enacted by the parliament of Sri Lanka, with effect from 31.10.2008. Persons of Chinese origin, living in Sri Lanka since 1948.11.15 or their descendants, who have not been granted with Sri Lankan citizenship under any of the previously enacted citizenship Laws, are entitled to apply for Sri Lankan citizenship. (read about us for historical background )

N.B: This Act shall be in force for a period of five years from the date of enactment. Therefore, all the eligible persons are kindly informed to apply for Sri Lankan citizenship right now.

Who can apply ?
Any person of Chinese Origin, who

1. Has been a permanent resident of Sri Lanka since November 15th 1948;
2. Is a descendent, presently resident in Sri Lanka, of a person who has been a permanent resident of Sri Lanka since November 15th 1948

How a person can apply ?
Any person who is 18 years of age or above at the the time of application should apply separately, while persons below 18 years of age at the time of application may include in one of the parents applications. Members of a family may submit all the applications at once.

How can I obtain an application form ?

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

Where can I submit my application ?
Indo-Lanka Citizenship Division at Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, "Suhurupaya", Battaramulla.

What are the documents required to be submitted along with the completed application?
Please submit the originals of the following documents with copies. (Originals will be returned)

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (If married)
• Birth certificates of the children
• National identity card (if available)

If I do not have the above documents, what are the alternate documents I can submit ?
If the documents mentioned above are not available, please submit any other documents such as Educational Certificates, Driving license, etc. to prove your permanent residency in Sri Lanka.