Consular Services

The Compensation Section of the Consular Affairs Division assists Sri Lankan migrant workers and their legal heirs in obtaining compensation and other legal entitlements from the relevant foreign authorities and institutions.
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1. Types of Assistance

1.1 Death Compensation
Assistance for legal heirs of deceased Sri Lankan migrant workers to access compensation and other legal entitlements.

1.2 Non-Death Compensation
Assistance with cases involving accidents, injuries, illnesses, or other eligible claims where the migrant worker did not have valid registration with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) at the time of the incident.
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2. Documents Required

Applicants (Next of Kin or worker) must submit:
•    Request letter
•    Completed application form
•    Passport copy (for non-death cases)
•    Supporting documents (if available), such as:
o    Employer details
o    Employment/service agreement
o    Company identity card
o    Insurance policy details
o    Bank account details
o    Medical reports
o    Foreign Identity Card / Residence Card

Note: The Consular Affairs Division may request additional supporting documents, as necessary, to verify the death, establish the deceased’s residence in the relevant foreign country, and verify the identity of the Next of Kin and their relationship to the deceased, in cases where the death occurred in Sri Lanka.
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3. Submission of Applications

Applications may be submitted to:
•    Compensation Section, Consular Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
•    Any of the Regional Consular Offices in Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Jaffna or Trincomalee.
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4. Application Fee

No application fee is charged for this service.
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5. Processing of Applications

•    Applications are reviewed to determine eligibility for compensation or other entitlements and to identify any further action required.
•    The applicant will be duly informed if additional documents are required by the relevant foreign authorities.
•    Where necessary, the applicant may be guided to the relevant institutions or online systems in accordance with the procedures of the relevant foreign authorities.
•    The beneficiary/Next of Kin will be formally notified once the claim has been finalised.
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6. Disbursement of Compensation

6.1 Non-Death Cases:
Payments may be made to the beneficiary through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or directly by the relevant foreign authority, depending on the circumstances of the case.

6.2 Death Cases:
Payments may be deposited with the Department of the Public Trustee for distribution among the legal heirs or paid directly to the Next of Kin by the relevant foreign authority, depending on the circumstances of the case.
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7. Service Commitments

The Compensation Section is committed to:
•    Providing timely updates to the Next of Kin.
•    Ensuring confidentiality and respectful handling of all cases.
•    Offering clear guidance throughout the process.
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8. Contact Information

Compensation Section
Consular Affairs Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

16th Floor, “Suhurupaya”
Sri Subhuthipura Road
Battaramulla
Sri Lanka

+94 11 227 5528
compensation.consular@mfa.gov.lk

Deaths Abroad

Death of a Sri Lankan Abroad

The Death Section of the Consular Affairs Division assists families in Sri Lanka with all necessary procedures following the death of a Sri Lankan citizen overseas.
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1. Our Services

The Death Section provides assistance with the following:
•    Coordination of burial, cremation, or repatriation of human remains.
•    Registration in Sri Lanka of deaths of Sri Lankan citizens that occur abroad.
•    Facilitation of the handover of the deceased’s personal belongings to the Next of Kin.
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2. What to Do First

In the event of a death overseas, the Next of Kin must submit the required documents to initiate consular procedures.

Important: Early submission of complete and accurate documents will help avoid delays.
Charges: Document submission is free of charge.
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3. Required Documents (All Cases)

Please submit the following:
•    Completed Complaint Form (Sinhala | Tamil | English)
•    Consent Affidavit from the Next of Kin or authorised person (Sinhala | Tamil | English) accompanied by copies of the identification cards/passports and contact numbers of the nominated persons
•    No-Objection Affidavit(s) (if multiple NoKs or an authorised representative is involved)
•    Birth Certificate of the deceased
•    Copies of the National Identity Card (NIC) and Passport of the deceased
•    Family Background Report issued by the Grama Niladhari and countersigned by the Divisional Secretary
•    Affidavit confirming same name, where discrepancies exist

Note: The Consular Affairs Division may request further supporting documents, where necessary, to verify the identity or family background of the deceased or to clarify other relevant circumstances.
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4. Additional Documents

4.1 If the Deceased Was Married
•    Marriage certificate or divorce certificate (as applicable)
•    If the marriage was not legally registered, an affidavit from the spouse confirming the relationship
•    Spouse’s National Identity Card (NIC) and birth certificate
•    Children’s NICs and birth certificates (if applicable)
•    Death certificate of the spouse (if the spouse is deceased)
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4.2 If the Deceased Was Unmarried
•    Parents’ marriage certificate
•    Parents’ and siblings’ NICs and birth certificates
•    Affidavit confirming unmarried status (to be provided by a parent, or by a sibling if both parents are deceased)
•    Death certificates of parents/siblings (if any are deceased)
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5. Submission of Documents

5.1 During Working Days

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Documents may be submitted to:
•    Death Section, Consular Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
•    Any Regional Consular Office (Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Jaffna, Trincomalee)
•    Any Divisional Secretariat Office
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5.2 During Weekends & Public Holidays

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Documents may be submitted to:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Republic Building
Sir Baron Jayathilake Mawatha
Colombo 01
Sri Lanka
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6. Repatriation of Human Remains to Sri Lanka

The applicable criteria are specified in the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Circular No. DQ/06/2020 dated 20.06.2026, titled “Repatriation of Human Remains to Sri Lanka. (Ministry of Health and Mass Media Circular No. DQ/06/2020 – Repatriation of Human Remains to Sri Lanka)

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7. Registration of Death Abroad

Process:
1.    Submit the duly completed documents in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Registrar General’s Department (RGD), available here. https://www.rgd.gov.lk/web/index.php/en/services/civil-registration/death/death-registration
2.    Pay a processing fee of LKR 8,180 to the Consular Affairs Division and obtain a receipt.
3.    The Next of Kin will be notified when the Sri Lankan death certificate is ready for collection.
4.    Additional certified copies can be obtained from the Registrar General’s Department.
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8. Personal Effects of the Deceased

We assist in returning personal belongings to the Next of Kin.
Charges: Free of charge

8.1 How to Request
Written requests may be submitted to:

• The Death Section, Consular Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Any of the Regional Consular Offices in Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Jaffna or Trincomalee.

The Next of Kin will be notified once the items are available for collection.

Note: The Consular Affairs Division may request documents to verify the identity of the Next of Kin and their relationship to the deceased, as necessary, upon the handover of personal belongings.

Items Typically Released: Documents & jewellery
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8.2 Authorising a Representative

If a representative is collecting items directly from the relevant Mission/Post:
•    Submit an affidavit from the Next of Kin nominating an authorized representative
•    Provide a copy of the representative’s passport

The Next of Kin will be notified once the belongings have been handed over to the representative by the relevant Sri Lankan Mission/Post.
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9. Service Commitments

The Death Section is committed to:
•    Providing timely updates to the Next of Kin.
•    Ensuring confidentiality and respectful handling of all cases.
•    Assisting families with clear guidance throughout the process.
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10. Contact Information

Death Section
Consular Affairs Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

16th Floor, “Suhurupaya”
Sri Subhuthipura Road
Battaramulla
Sri Lanka

+94 11 227 5525
death.consular@mfa.gov.lk

Repatriations

The Repatriation Section of the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism extends consular assistance to facilitate the repatriation of Sri Lankan nationals facing a range of challenging situations abroad. The Section provides necessary support to Sri Lankans who have been stranded, detained, arrested, or placed in police custody, as well as those serving prison sentences, facing deportation, or identified as possible victims of human trafficking.

In addition, the Section, in coordination with the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Sri Lanka, attends to matters concerning Sri Lankan fishing vessels and fishermen who have drifted into or engaged in unauthorized fishing activities within the territorial waters of other countries.

Eligibility: Sri Lankan Nationals abroad

Method of Submitting Application:
•  Direct submission at the Consular Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or through the Regional Consular Offices.
•  By post with necessary information (Application form attached herewith);
•  By email: (repatriation.consular@mfa.gov.lk)

Places Where Application Form Can Be Obtained:

1. Consular Affairs Division (Head Office)
16th Floor, “Suhurupaya”
Sri Subhuthipura Road,
Battaramulla

Contact Detail: 0112275573

2. Regional Consular Offices: Jaffna
District Secretariat,
Kandy Road,
Jaffna

Contact Detail: +94212215972

3. Kandy
No. 1065, 2nd Floor,
Mahinda Rajapaksa Information Technology Center,
Gatambe, Peradeniya,
Kandy

Contact Detail: +94812384410

4. Kurunegala
Department of Probation and Child Care Services,
No. 02, Dambulla Road,
Kurunegala

Contact Detail: +94372225931

5. Matara
No. 391, Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha,
Pamburana,
Matara

Contact Details: +9441226697 / +9441226714

6. Trincomalee
Chief Minister’s Secretariat,
Inner Harbour Road,
Trincomalee

Contact Details: +94262223186 / +94262223182

Payment for Application: None
Time to Submit Application: From 08:30 hrs to 15:00 hrs on working days
Fees for This Service: None

Period Taken to Provide the Service:
•    Depends on the gravity of the cases reported;
•    On completion of inquiries or legal proceedings in the relevant countries;

Necessary Supporting Documents:
• Self –explanatory letter
•    Copy of passport data page of the person concerned;
•    Proof National Identity Card (NIC) and contact details of complainant;
•    Details of the Next of Kin (NoK); (e.g. Contact phone numbers / NIC number / birth certificate and, if married, marriage certificate)
•    Contact details of the person concerned

Additional
•    Documents/proof obtained from local or foreign employment agencies
•    Optional: Registration details with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE)

Miscellaneous Matters

I. Facilitation in late birth registration (births outside Sri Lanka)
II. Assisting in obtaining foreign degree verifications
III. Assisting in obtaining foreign police clearance certificates
IV. Handling complaints and inquiries of overseas Sri Lankans and migrant workers
V. Assisting in locating the whereabouts of Sri Lankan nationals
VI. Providing recommendations for conducting mobile consular services
VII. Other matters