001
8 Sept 202354K
Helmet rules and traffic fines
Helmet requirements and liability for traffic violations.
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56 cards
Laws and bureaucracy
Laws, paperwork and bureaucracy: visas, registration, deals and rules.
002
8 Sept 202354K
Emergency service phone numbers
Emergency service phone numbers: ambulance, police, and tourist police.
Open source003
8 Sept 202354K
Getting a Driver's License
Obtaining a driver's license in Sri Lanka for residents.
Open source004
26 Dec 2023150K
Rental Agreement
Using a lawyer to draw up a rental agreement and documenting the utility meters.
Open source005
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007
15 Sept 202415K
Legal support for the transaction
The need for legal verification of documents and an understanding of local specifics when buying property.
Open source008
9 Aug 202315K
Social support for low-income families
The social support system for low-income families and the process of receiving aid.
Open source009
23 Aug 2023168K
Deposits when renting housing and vehicles
Deposits when renting housing and vehicles, with recommendations on drawing up contracts.
Open source010
18 May 2026
Sri Lanka to Criminalise Tax Violations
An amendment to the Inland Revenue Act classifies serious tax violations as criminal offences punishable by fines up to LKR 400,000 or six months imprisonment.
Open source011
3 Mar 2026
Business Visa Pending, Show Legalisation Underway
The author has been waiting four days for a business visa decision and notes that in Sri Lanka everything gets resolved only through in-person contact.
Open source012
19 Feb 2026
Police Warn Against Renting Vehicles to Unlicensed Tourists
Sri Lanka police warned vehicle owners against renting cars to foreign tourists without valid driving licences following a series of fatal accidents.
Open source013
3 Feb 2026
Tobacco Import Ban to Sri Lanka Has Long Been in Effect
There are no new cigarette bans — Sri Lanka customs simply reiterated a long-standing prohibition on bringing tobacco products in personal luggage, tightening enforcement.
Open source014
29 Jan 2026
Electronic Border Control Gates Launched at Colombo Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport launched its first four automated e-gates for passport control, implemented with support from Japan and the International Organization for Migration.
Open source015
24 Jan 2026
Bus Accident and Intensified Police Document Checks on Roads
A bus struck a motorcyclist in the Kamburagamuwa area; amid the tragedy, police continue large-scale document checks of tourist motorcyclists with vehicle confiscation.
Open source016
17 Jan 2026
Construction in Southern Coastal Zone Halted for Tourist Season
The deputy fisheries minister ordered a suspension of all construction, demolition, and earthworks in the southern coastal tourist zone until the end of the tourist season.
Open source017
3 Jan 2026
Indonesia Introduces Criminal Penalties for Sex Outside Marriage
From January 2026, Indonesia's new Penal Code criminalizes cohabitation and sex outside marriage, including for foreign tourists visiting Bali.
Open source018
2 Jan 2026
Malaysia Sends Tourists Caught Littering to Clean Streets
From January 1, 2026, tourists caught littering in Malaysia are sentenced by courts to up to 12 hours of street cleaning or a fine of around 40,000 rubles.
Open source019
23 Nov 2025
Tourists Smuggled Contraband and Tried to Flee Inspection
Tourists attempted to smuggle prohibited items through a checkpoint and flee during inspection; meanwhile, the issuance of driving licences for three-wheelers to foreigners has been temporarily suspended.
Open source020
2 Oct 2025
New Law: Supermarket Bags Will Appear Separately on Receipts
An environmental law comes into force requiring plastic bags in supermarkets to be listed separately on receipts.
Open source021
18 Sept 2025
Russians Detained for Lizards Were Allowed to Leave Sri Lanka
Russians detained a year ago for illegally catching 187 lizards were finally allowed to leave the island — the story ended happily.
Open source022
4 Sept 2025
Russian Woman Detained for Running Business on a Tourist Visa
A 29-year-old Russian woman was detained by Habaraduwa police on suspicion of running a business on a tourist visa, with a court hearing scheduled soon.
Open source023
2 Aug 2025
Sri Lankan Banks Freeze Accounts of Russian Passport Holders
Several Sri Lankan bank customers holding Russian passports had their accounts frozen following a central bank directive referencing IMF requirements and KYC procedures.
Open source024
25 Jun 2025
Demolitions Continue in Weligama, Mirissa Reportedly Next
The demolition of illegal coastal structures in Weligama continues; unconfirmed reports suggest Mirissa may be next.
Open source025
24 Jun 2025
Demolition of Illegal Coastal Structures in Weligama
The demolition of surf schools and cafes in the coastal zone of Weligama has begun; eyewitnesses are asked to send photos and videos.
Open source026
4 Jun 2025
Over 2,500 illegal coastal buildings to be demolished
The Coastal Conservation Department identified over 2,500 illegal structures in the coastal zone and initiated demolition under the 10–25-metre protection band law.
Open source027
29 May 2025
45 creams and lotions found to contain dangerous heavy metals
Sri Lanka's Consumer Affairs Authority found heavy metals in over 45 creams and lotions and has begun legal action against the manufacturers.
Open source028
5 May 2025
Alcohol stores closed on May 6 due to municipal elections
Due to municipal elections on May 6, alcohol stores across Sri Lanka will be closed except for those approved by SLTDA.
Open source029
23 Apr 2025
Surf Coffee vs Surf's Up: trademark lawsuit
Russian chain Surf Coffee is demanding the cancellation of surf school Surf's Up trademark and compensation of over 1 million rubles for alleged unfair competition.
Open source030
15 Apr 2025
What are perches, roods and acres in Sri Lanka
The law and business channel explained Sri Lanka's land measurement units: 160 perches equal one acre, and 40 perches equal one rood.
Open source031
28 Mar 2025
Sri Lanka police on rules for foreigners driving tuk-tuks
Sri Lanka police reminded foreigners that an international driving license with the correct category is required to operate a tuk-tuk, with a fine of 25,000 Rs for violations.
Open source032
24 Mar 2025
Driving permits for foreigners now require an in-person visit to Colombo
The Automobile Association of Ceylon has stopped processing driving permit localisations online for foreigners — applicants must now visit the Motor Traffic Department in Colombo in person.
Open source033
21 Mar 2025
Traffic fines in Sri Lanka significantly increased
Traffic fines have been significantly raised: riding three on a motorcycle costs 1,000 Rs, while racing or running a red light now carries a 5,000 Rs fine.
Open source034
7 Mar 2025
Sri Lankans filming denials at Foreigners Only venues go viral
Videos showing Sri Lankans being denied service at Foreigners Only establishments in Galle Fort and Unawatuna are spreading on social media.
Open source035
3 Mar 2025
Authorities check businesses labelled Only for Foreigners
Authorities have launched inspections of establishments that operate exclusively for foreigners, restricting entry to local residents.
Open source036
25 Feb 2025
Guidelines for visas for foreign specialists in tourism
SLTDA has published guidelines for issuing visa recommendations for foreign specialists at Sri Lanka's registered tourism establishments.
Open source037
24 Jan 2025
All parties now until 10 PM?
A brief reactive question about a rumoured new rule limiting events to 10 PM.
Open source038
8 Jan 2025
Government developing mechanism against business on tourist visas
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told parliament that authorities are developing measures to stop foreigners conducting commercial activities on tourist visas.
Open source039
19 Dec 2024
Illegal export of insects from Sri Lanka risks arrest
The Russian Embassy and the channel warn: attempts to smuggle insects, lizards, or butterflies out of Sri Lanka result in police detention.
Open source040
5 Nov 2024
Captain of sunken X-Press Pearl banned from leaving for three years
The Russian captain of the container ship X-Press Pearl, which sank off Sri Lanka in 2021 carrying hazardous cargo, has been unable to leave the country for three years due to a confiscated passport.
Open source041
17 Oct 2024
Russians Fined $370,000 for Catching Lizards in Sri Lanka
Two Russians caught catching rare lizards in a national park were fined 110 million Sri Lankan rupees (~$370,000) on 1,000 counts.
Open source042
3 Sept 2024
Russians who caught lizards released from detention on bail
Two Russian tourists accused of stealing 187 lizards and ants for export to Russia were released from detention on bail and face up to 20 years in prison.
Open source043
27 Jun 2024
Notarization of Powers of Attorney Suspended July 5–24
For technical reasons, notarization of powers of attorney and wills, as well as their cancellation, will be suspended from July 5 to 24, 2024.
Open source044
11 Apr 2024
Parliament Discusses Identifying Visa Overstayers
A parliamentary committee discussed setting up a hotline to identify Russian and Ukrainian citizens who overstayed their visas and operated businesses in Sri Lanka.
Open source045
23 Feb 2024
Today is Poya Day: Immigration Department closed
Reminder: today is Poya Day, and the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration is closed.
Open source046
25 Jan 2024
Bank saga continued: card was unblocked
The bank saga continues: Commercial Bank unblocked the card on the same day, but an ATM still swallowed it and failed to dispense the requested cash.
Open source047
23 Jan 2024
Lankan bank blocked card over expired visa
A personal account: Commercial Bank blocked a client's card without notification while the passport was at the visa department for resident visa renewal.
Open source048
21 Nov 2023
Riding without a license: consequences and how to get one
The post warns that riding without a license makes you automatically at fault in an accident, and promises a guide on how to independently obtain a driving licence.
Open source049
9 Oct 2023
Russian tourist filed complaint against reckless bus driver
A Russian woman filed a police complaint about a bus driver speeding on the Colombo–Polonnaruwa route, surprising local officers.
Open source050
27 Aug 2023
Drone ban along Kandy Esala Perahera procession route
Sri Lanka's Civil Aviation Authority imposed a temporary drone flight ban along the route of the Esala Perahera Buddhist festival from 21 to 31 August.
Open source051
24 Aug 2023
Russian consulate reminds about online consular services
The Russian Embassy reminds citizens to use online portals for applications for consular registration, foreign passport, citizenship, and Russian entry permits.
Open source052
31 Jul 2023
How to Get a Russian Passport at the Consulate in Sri Lanka
Step-by-step guide from the MAD Set channel on how to book an appointment at the Russian Consulate in Colombo and complete the foreign passport application process.
Open source053
26 Jun 2023
Translation of Article on Illegal Foreigner Businesses
The channel publishes a translated Sunday Times article on illegal businesses run by foreigners in southern and eastern Sri Lanka, recommending all entrepreneurs read it.
Open source054
31 Mar 2023
How to get temporary driving licence in Sri Lanka
Explanation of where and how to obtain a temporary Sri Lankan driving licence at the Automobile Association of Ceylon in Colombo.
Open source055
12 Mar 2023
Motorcycles Over 450cc to Get Registration Option
Sri Lanka's Ministry of Transport is preparing documents to enable registration of motorcycles over 450cc following requests from sports clubs.
Open source056
25 Feb 2023
Sri Lanka bans drunk elephant riding
Sri Lanka's elephant protection law prohibits riding elephants while drunk (up to three years in prison), and every captive elephant must have a biometric passport and daily bathing.
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