The legal system in Sri Lanka is a combination of colonial, Victorian, English and Dutch legislations all mixed together in a medley of complicated regulations and customs that feel like laws. In terms of tourism, local laws do not usually apply to visitors, unless they are laws that pertain to the safety of the community. There is a blurry difference between a law and a custom, whereas both can be enforced by the police and could have serious consequences, and a law might be completely disregarded for a foreigner.
Customs that pertain to visiting religious sites and respectful attire are almost like laws in the sense that locals will let you know about it and not let you enter otherwise. Some laws do not apply to tourists specifically, but long-term residents living or doing community work on the island should be aware of them. Read on to find out about the nine Sri Lankan laws foreigners should know about.
* Photography
The political and socioeconomic majority of Sri Lanka is Buddhist. The customs for entering a Buddhist temple respectfully include entering without shoes, dressing conservatively, not pointing feet at the Buddha figures, not getting too close to the monks or touching them (especially their heads) and being respectful of the worshippers. It is expected of visitors to follow all of these rules, yet there is one custom/law that can get you in real trouble. Some Buddhist temples and all government institutions do not allow photographs taken of the premises.Of course, the most touristy Buddhist temples, like Gangaramaya in Colombo, allow photographs to be taken but they have to be respectful. Don’t take duck face selfies with Buddha figures, for example. Taking disrespectful photography on Buddhist premises can get you into trouble and even get you arrested. One woman was deported for taking a photo pretending to kiss a Buddha statue. Photography in government institutions is strictly forbidden, just don’t do it.
* Religious freedomSri Lanka has a law that permits their entire population to practice their own religion. The majority religion is Buddhism but there are plenty of Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Even though there are some individuals who don’t believe in religious freedom and tend to create violent situations, that is not the norm and the government is trying very hard to impose religious freedom to quell violence between religious groups. Why is this important for travellers? It means that no matter what your religion is when coming to Sri Lanka, you will be welcome. Just don’t be colonial or violent about it with people of other religions. That will surely get you into trouble as it directly disrespects the Law of Religious Freedom.
* Homosexuality is illegalJust as Sri Lanka has a religious freedom law, it also has a law which states that ‘carnal intercourse against the order of nature’ is illegal. This is an old Victorian law that doesn’t exactly state that homosexuality is illegal, but it is used to impose the illegality of same-sex relations. LGBTQ travellers coming to Sri Lanka need to be aware of this to not be harassed or even arrested.It is easy to stay out of trouble in Sri Lanka even if you are LGBTQ, just refrain from public displays of affection or informing strangers of your sexual orientation. If travelling as a couple, locals will automatically think you are friends or siblings, best to follow their lead. There is no gay scene, gay pride or gay establishments in Sri Lanka. This does not mean that Sri Lanka is unsafe for the LGBTQ traveller, it just means they have to be mindful and not be flying the freak flag high.
* Illegal to carry drugsGetting caught carrying illegal drugs can get you into real trouble. Pretty much all drugs are illegal in Sri Lanka, including marijuana. There are always police raids on the roads at night, checking and searching tuk tuks and cars. Having narcotics such as opioids, heroin and cocaine is a highly dangerous practice. Depending on the amount of drugs found on a person and if it can be proved that there was dealing involved the result could be a life sentence in a Sri Lankan jail.The law actually dictates that the penalty for carrying illegal drugs is death by hanging. This has not been imposed since the seventies and usually, a life sentence is given instead. Spending any time in prison in Sri Lanka is the last thing any foreigner would want so, be careful.
* Topless sunbathingFor the ladies who like to sunbathe topless, Sri Lanka is not the kind of place to get the even tan. Nudity and indecent exposure is a grave offence in Sri Lanka and all you will get by going topless is trouble. Topless men are okay on the beach, pool and ironically, in some Hindu temples. Ladies, best cover up while not in the water or at the pool of your hotel.