By: Staff Writer
June 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is poised to significantly ease administrative hurdles for drone operations by directing the Police to issue “No Objection” letters for valid requests, marking a crucial step towards liberalizing the country’s drone regulatory framework.
The decision was made during a high-level stakeholder dialogue on drone operations convened at the Ministry of Defence, under the patronage of Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyakontha (Retd). The session brought together officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), the tri-forces, Sri Lanka Police, and members of the civil drone industry.
In his opening address, the Defence Secretary stressed the importance of striking a balance between regulatory oversight and technological advancement. He emphasized that while drones offer significant potential in commercial, environmental, and public safety applications—including agriculture, surveillance, logistics, and disaster response—their operations must be controlled through a coherent framework to ensure national security.
The meeting focused on resolving procedural delays that have hindered the growth of the drone sector. Civil drone operators voiced concerns over prolonged waiting times and inconsistent practices among authorities when securing operational clearance. In response, the Defence Secretary underscored the need for improved inter-agency collaboration and timely submission of applications by operators.
In a major policy shift, he instructed all police stations to be officially informed of the legitimate civilian use of drones. He further authorized the issuance of “No Objection” letters by the police, provided that requests meet established criteria and are subject to proper oversight. This move is expected to standardize procedures across the island, especially benefiting industries such as media, infrastructure inspection, land surveying, and tourism.
Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority, led by Director General Air Vice Marshal Sagara Kotakadeniya (Retd), also presented updates on the current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and outlined steps to enhance regulatory coherence. The CAA, which oversees drone registration, airspace classification, and operator licensing, will work closely with the Defence Ministry to align civilian drone use with national policy goals.
With drone usage in Sri Lanka increasing rapidly, this initiative marks a turning point in enabling responsible and lawful integration of drone technology into the broader economy. The move is expected to bolster innovation while upholding public safety, operational transparency, and security interests.
The Defence Ministry’s commitment to a collaborative and transparent approach is likely to strengthen Sri Lanka’s drone ecosystem and foster a more agile regulatory environment.
In Sri Lanka, while only around 50 drones are officially registered with the Civil Aviation Authority, many more are believed to be in operation across various sectors. Several firms are involved, including those providing drone services for agriculture, construction, and entertainment (e.g., drone shows). The market is projected to grow, with a predicted annual growth rate of 6.33%.
Although the Civil Aviation Authority has only registered around 50 drones, the actual number in operation is likely much higher.
Drones are also used in law enforcement, wildlife monitoring, disaster management, and more. The Sri Lankan drones market is projected to experience significant growth, with a projected annual growth rate of 6.33%.
The increasing use of drones in various industries, coupled with advancements in drone technology, is expected to drive further growth in the market.
