Sri Lanka - Regulations on Entry, Stay and Residence for PLHIV


Restriction category relative to Sri Lanka

  • Countries with unclear laws/practices; more information needed

 
Entry regulations Residence regulations Additional information
No specific entry regulations for people with HIV/AIDS. No questions asked about HIV/AIDS on entry. No restrictions. Problems at port of entry cannot be excluded.

HIV-specific entry and residence regulations for Sri Lanka

There are no specific entry or residency regulations for people with HIV/AIDS. On entry, no questions are asked about HIV testing or status. Test results do not need to be presented. An HIV infection is not considered an issue at entry, and not grounds for deportation. 

If a foreigner is diagnosed with HIV in Sri Lanka, he will be referred to the HIV Division at the National Hospital in Colombo for care. 

Antiretroviral medication can be imported for personal use. 

All relevant regulations are based on the Immigration Law no 20 from 1948 with its addendums. .

(Source: 1)

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Sri Lanka; however, Sri Lankan law does allow immigration officials to refer visitors and foreign residents to a physician for examination if a public health risk is suspected. In practice this is a rare occurrence, but travelers should be aware that Sri Lankan law allows for the denial of entry to any foreigner who, upon referral from an immigration officer, is certified by a physician as posing a public health risk. Travelers who refuse a medical examination under these circumstances may be refused entry. Please verify this information with the Embassy of Sri Lanka before traveling.

(Source: 2)

 

HIV treatment information for Sri Lanka

  • HIV Division
    National Hospital
    Colombo

 

HIV information / HIV NGOs in Sri Lanka

Updated information is available through the aidsmap search engine at  www.aidsmap.com/en/orgs/ux/default.asp.

 

Global Criminalisation of HIV Transmission Scan

The Global Criminalisation Scan is an initiative of GNP+. It aims to collect and keep up to date information on national and state level laws criminalising the transmission of or exposure to HIV. It also aims to provide an easily accessible ‘clearing-house’ of resources, research, and initiatives on the subject and to provide a platform for advocacy initiatives.

Find out more about the scan and the criminalisation of HIV transmission legislation at http://criminalisation.gnpplus.net/.

 

Sources

  1. Foreign Minstry of Sri Lanka, via the German Embassy, Colombo, July 6 2009
  2. U.S. Department of State, http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1025.html, consulted July 11, 2010

 

updated: 7/11/2010
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