Drone Registration

Before flying a drone, you must first get security clearance from the civil aviation authority. To do this, you need to send the flight locations, dates, and drone details. The approval process can take several days, depending on how many locations need permission from the Defense Office. If you plan to fly in protected areas, you’ll also need clearance from other agencies. These agencies must confirm they have no objections to your drone flights. For example, you’ll need permission to fly drones at archaeological sites like Sigiriya and Polonnaruwa. Furthermore, every time a drone is flown, you must inform the nearest police station and the civil aviation authority by phone. Depending on the nature of the flight, operators may also need to have third-party liability insurance.

Drones are not permitted to fly higher than 100 feet (30 meters) above ground level unless specific permission is granted by the CAA for higher altitudes. Additionally, drones can only be flown during daylight hours, typically from sunrise to sunset, and must remain within the operator’s visual line of sight at all times. Drones are prohibited from flying in no-fly zones such as airports, military zones, and near critical infrastructure, and it is illegal to fly drones inside or above national parks or protected areas.