Consular Services

The Consular Affairs Division assists Sri Lankan migrant workers and their legal heirs in accessing compensation, insurance benefits, and other lawful entitlements through 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, insurance benefits, and other entitlements.

1.2 Non-Death Compensation
Assistance for migrant workers in non-fatal cases such as injury, illness, contract violations, or other eligible claims.
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2. Purpose of the Service

To facilitate access to compensation, insurance benefits, and other legal entitlements for Sri Lankan migrant workers and their families.
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3. 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
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4. Submission of Applications

Applications may be submitted:
•    In person, by post, or via email to:
Compensation Section, Consular Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
•    Regional Consular Offices: Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Jaffna, Trincomalee
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5. Application Fee

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

•    Applications are reviewed to determine eligibility for compensation or further action.
•    If additional documents are required, the Next of Kin or worker will be informed via post and telephone.
•    The Next of Kin or worker may be guided to relevant institutions or online systems where necessary.
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7. Disbursement of Compensation

Non-Death Cases:
Payment may be processed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and transferred to the worker or paid directly to the worker, depending on the case.

Death Cases:
Payments may be deposited to the Department of Public Trustee for distribution among legal heirs, or paid directly to the Next of Kin, depending on the case.

The worker or Next of Kin will be formally notified upon completion.
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8. Service Commitments

The Ministry is committed to:
•    Providing timely updates via phone or official communication channels
•    Ensuring confidentiality and respectful handling of all cases
•    Offering clear guidance throughout the process
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9. 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 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 Consular Affairs Division provides support for:
•    Coordination of burial, cremation, or repatriation of human remains, including repatriation of ashes
•    Registration of deaths abroad for legal recognition in Sri Lanka
•    Facilitation of the handover of 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)
•    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
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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)
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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
•    Regional Consular Offices (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

6.1 Eligibility
•    Sri Lankan citizens
•    Sri Lankan-born individuals holding foreign passports
•    Foreign nationals married to Sri Lankan citizens
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6.2 Required Documents for Repatriation
•    Cancelled passport (proof of identity)
•    Death certificate indicating cause of death
•    Embalming certificate
•    Certificate confirming absence of infectious disease
•    Police / Coroner / Forensic report (if applicable)
•    No Objection Certificate from the relevant Sri Lankan Mission/Post
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6.3 Special Health Requirements

Repatriation may be restricted in cases involving infectious diseases.

Public health regulations may require:
•    Special approvals
•    Mandatory waiting periods
•    Alternative arrangements (e.g., local burial or cremation)
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7. Registration of Death Abroad

Registering a death ensures legal recognition in Sri Lanka.

Process:
1.    Submit required documents to the Central Record Room of the Registrar General’s Department
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.

8.1 How to Request
•    Submit a written request via email, post, or in person to the Consular Affairs Division
•    The Next of Kin will be notified once the items are available for collection

Charges: Free of charge
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 authorisation affidavit from the Next of Kin
•    Provide a copy of the representative’s passport
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9. Service Commitments

The Ministry is committed to:
•    Providing timely updates to the Next of Kin via phone or other available communication methods
•    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, Colombo;
•    By post with necessary information (Application form attached herewith);
•    Direct submission to the relevant Divisional Secretariat.

Places Where Application Form Can Be Obtained:

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

Contact Detail: 0112275575

Regional Consular Offices:

Jaffna
District Secretariat,
Kandy Road,
Jaffna

Contact Detail: +94212215972

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

Contact Detail: +94812384410

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

Contact Detail: +94372225931

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

Contact Details: +9441226697 / +9441226714

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:
•    Copy of passport data page of the person concerned;
•    Proof National Identity Card (NIC) and contact details of complainant;
•    Next of Kin (NoK) details;
•    Contact details of the person concerned;

Optional:
Registration details from the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE)
Proof of documents from Local or Foreign Employment Agency

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