Colombo (LKCMB)

The Ministry of Defense controls the import of firearms and ammunition for use by the armed forces, police, and civil security. Certain military-related or dual-use items are prohibited or controlled. Radars, night-vision devices, beta lights, armored vehicles, explosion-detection equipment, digital-jamming equipment, infrared illuminators, GPS equipment, and laser designators are prohibited. Imports of laser/radar range finders and thermal-image devices are subject to Ministry of Defense approval. Remote-controlled toys are also under license control for public security reasons. There are restrictions on the import of toxic and hazardous chemicals and pesticides. Used and reconditioned air conditioners and refrigerators are under license control for environmental protection. The Sri Lanka Tea Board regulates tea imports into Sri Lanka. Tea imports require a license, only bulk tea can be imported, and only registered tea exporters are allowed to import tea for value addition and re-export. Only certain varieties of tea can be imported for such purposes. When re-exporting, the packages should indicate, “Ceylon Tea blended with other origin teas.” Sri Lanka requires the approval of its Chief Food Authority for the importation or the sale of products derived from genetic engineering (GE) intended for human consumption. Sri Lanka permits imports of poultry products only from countries that have never reported outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or only after six months have passed since a country has notified the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) that a particular area or state (in the case of the United States) is free of avian influenza.