Sri Lanka to remove administrative bottlenecks for drone operations

Sri Lanka will look to remove administrative bottlenecks for drone operations in the country with the Police being instructed to issue “no objection” letters for valid requests.

A high-level stakeholder dialogue on drone operations was held at the Ministry of Defence, under the patronage of Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyakontha (Retd).

The session was convened with the objective of fostering regulatory coherence and improving operational efficiency in Sri Lanka’s rapidly growing drone sector.

In his opening remarks, the Defence Secretary underscored the importance of maintaining a balanced regulatory framework, one that nurtures innovation in drone technology while safeguarding national security interests. He acknowledged the transformative potential of drones in commercial and public service applications, while also stressing the need for robust control mechanisms.

Officials representing the Ministry of Defence and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) delivered comprehensive briefings on current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and institutional mechanisms governing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations in the country.

During the open forum, several civil drone operators raised concerns regarding administrative bottlenecks, including delays in obtaining operational clearances. In response, the Defence Secretary emphasized the necessity of improved inter-agency coordination to streamline the approval process. He highlighted the importance of timely application submissions by operators and encouraged relevant authorities to adopt a more proactive and flexible stance in handling requests.

To further facilitate lawful drone use, the Defence Secretary directed that all police stations be officially notified of the legitimate role of drones in civilian contexts. He authorized them to issue “No Objection” letters upon valid requests, with appropriate oversight and in accordance with established guidelines. This directive will be communicated to Police Headquarters to ensure consistent implementation across all divisions.

The meeting was attended by Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Air Vice Marshal Sagara Kotakadeniya (Retd), senior representatives of the tri-services, Sri Lanka Police and key members of the civil drone community.

This collaborative initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening regulatory support for the country’s drone ecosystem while ensuring operational integrity and public safety.