Media Guidelines

Guidelines to obtain Visas for TV Crews, Media Personnel and Similar Categories

(A)    For Television Crews

An application must be submitted to the Embassy of Sri Lanka five weeks in advance of the proposed visit. All members of the media crew should personally come to the Embassy to handover their applications.

1.    A formal letter addressed to the Embassy of Sri Lanka stating the following:

•    Purpose of the visit
•    Date(s) of the publication of the article and name(s) of publication/date(s) of telecast of the programme
•    Duration of visit
•    Names, designations and affiliations of the members of the team/crew
•    Name, address and contact nos. of the Coordinator-Coordinating organization in Sri Lanka.

(a)    TV crew must undertake to permit the previewing of all the video tapes shot in Sri Lanka by the relevant authority in Sri Lanka, prior to the departure of the crew.
(b)    All the recorded tapes/films/final production must be submitted to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan (preferably with an English translation of the narration) to be previewed one week prior to the broadcast.
(c)    Unused tapes/photographs/information will not be used later without reference to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Japan.
(d)    Any other relevant information (i.e. whether they have been to Sri Lanka before as  tourists or otherwise)


2.    Duly completed FAM Tour Form.

3.    Duly completed Film Corporation Agreement.

4.    A comprehensive itinerary of the scheduled programme of the filming in Sri Lanka including dates, time, locations and names of persons to be met.

5.    A synopsis of the filming project giving a brief summary of the intended programme.

6.    A list of equipment that will be taken into Sri Lanka with details such as price, manufacturer, year and/or a Bank guarantee certificate for the equipment.

7.    If the Company Crew doing filming in Sri Lanka is not engaged in the broadcasting of the programme, a letter from the broadcasting company.

8.    If the TV crew/journalists are going to Sri Lanka as free lance media personnel, letter from the broadcasting/publishing company confirming broadcasting/publishing of their production.



(B)    For Newspapers and Magazines

1.    A formal letter addressed to the Embassy of Sri Lanka stating all under No. (1) above excluding (a), (b) & (c) are applicable.

(a)    The photographs and the article will be submitted to the Embassy of Sri Lanka with an English translation prior to publication.

(b)    For freelance journalists, they should furnish a letter from the relevant magazines that they are freelance journalists who supply material for these magazines and will be publishing these specific articles.

(c)    If there is any sponsorship, references from the sponsor.

(d)    Comprehensive itinerary of the scheduled programme in Sri Lanka.



(C)    Once the visa is authorized you will be notified to submit the following:

1.    Duly completed Visa Application Form
2.    Three copies of attachment forms with signature (obtained from the Embassy)
3.    Two photographs of the applicant (colour size 5x5 or 4.5x3.5)
4.    Air Tickets (round trip)
5.    Fee: JPY 3200 per applicant


(D) Once the visa is given and the team/crew arrives in Sri Lanka they are required to obtain permission for press accreditation from the Public Communications Division of the Ministry of External Affairs in Colombo before they commence their programme. The Press Accreditation will facilitate their work in the country.