Asylum in Sri Lanka
Some people are forced to flee their country because of war, violence, human rights violations, or unable or unwilling to return to their home country because they are at risk of persecution— for example, because of their religion, ethnicity, political views, or who they are.
In these situations, they can seek safety in another country and ask for protection.
This is called seeking asylum. A refugee is any person who meets the eligibility criteria provided for in international instruments, under UNHCR’s mandate, or in national legislation.
UNHCR helps protect the right to seek asylum and works with governments to protect refugees and asylum-seekers from being sent back to a place of danger.
It is not possible to apply for refugee status with the Sri Lanka authorities. Sri Lanka is not a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol and has not established a national asylum system.
Sri Lanka does not:
- have a national procedure for the determination of refugee status,
- issue documentation to refugees and asylum-seekers,
- provide rights to persons only on the basis of their refugee status.
In the absence of a national asylum system in Sri Lanka, UNHCR may conduct individual case processing of persons who express a need for international protection in accordance with its mandate, based on the assessed needs and available resources. If you are in Sri Lanka, outside your home country, and you fear for your life or safety back home, you can approach UNHCR Sri Lanka to discuss your situation.
UNHCR will determine whether any possible support may be provided based on the assessed needs and available resources. UNHCR and partners provide basic support to refugees and asylum-seekers in the country, but resources are limited.
Registration with UNHCR in Sri Lanka as a refugee or an asylum-seeker does not provide you with a right to stay in the country or provide you with the right to legally work in the country, according to the country’s national legal framework. Registration with UNHCR in Sri Lanka as a refugee or an asylum-seeker does not protect you from arrest, detention and removal from the country if you are irregularly staying in the country.
If you are in Sri Lanka and would like to make an appointment with UNHCR to lodge an asylum claim, please contact UNHCR in Sri Lanka at [email protected].
If you wish to seek international refugee protection in Sri Lanka and register with UNHCR, you may approach UNHCR to discuss your situation.
UNHCR will determine whether any possible support may be provided based on the assessed needs and available resources. If you would like to make an appointment with UNHCR to lodge an asylum claim, please contact UNHCR in Sri Lanka at [email protected].
You can find information on UNHCR offices in other countries on the Help homepage.
UNHCR issues certificates to persons in Sri Lanka who have been registered as an asylum-seeker (UNHCR Asylum-Seeker Certificate) or recognized as a refugee (UNHCR Refugee Certificates) – which are commonly referred to in Sri Lanka as “refugee paper” or “asylum paper”.
We recommend that you keep your UNHCR certificate safe and secure and keep it with you at all times.
These are very important documents which establish your identity and notify the relevant government authorities that you have been registered with UNHCR in Sri Lanka. These documents inform that you should be protected from being returned to a country where you may be in danger.
Remember: As required by Sri Lanka law, it is mandatory to register yourself (and your family accompanying you in Sri Lanka) at the local police station following your registration with UNHCR.
Asylum-Seeker Certificates and Refugee Certificates are valid for one year, and the date of expiry is indicated on your certificate.
UNHCR in Sri Lanka will contact you when it is time to renew your certificates, and will provide you with relevant instructions regarding the date, time and location of your renewal appointment, as well as the documents that you should bring.
If your UNHCR certificate is lost or stolen, you should immediately:
- Lodge a complaint at a local police station,
- Obtain a copy of the police complaint, and
- Contact UNHCR through the call centre 011-2580691 or email ([email protected]).
UNHCR will assess the situation and determine whether to issue a duplicate of the certificate.
Yes. You must update your information with a local police station each time you change your residential address, even if your new residential address is in the same locality.
To update your address, follow the steps below:
- Step 1. Please fill in this Police Registration Form before visiting the police station.
- Step 2. Visit the Police station nearest to you and bring the already filled-in form.
- Step 3. Send a copy of the filled and signed police registration form to UNHCR by email ([email protected]).
Please inform UNHCR in Sri Lanka by email [email protected] if you change any of your contact details in Sri Lanka (e.g., mobile phone number, or email) as soon as possible to ensure UNHCR is able to remain in contact with you.
If you have changed your residential address, please follow the instructions provided in the precedent question.
Please inform UNHCR in Sri Lanka by email [email protected] of any changes to your and your family’s personal circumstances, including:
- Births, deaths and family status, including birth of a child, death of a family member, marriage, separation or divorce
.
- Significant health concerns
- Significant protection concerns