Registration of Deaths

Repatriation of Human Remains/Ashes

A death can be registered under Section 7 of the Consular Functions Act provided following conditions are satisfied;

i. The deceased is a citizen of Sri Lanka

ii. The death occurred in the country of accreditation

Submission of forged documents and making false declarations relating to citizenship is a punishable offence.

Who can apply for the registration of a death?

i. The nearest relative of the deceased, who was present at the time of death or in attendance during the last illness of the deceased,

ii. A relative of the deceased who resides in the country where the death occurred

iii. If there is no such relative, any person who was present at the death

iv. The main occupant of the house where the death occurred

v. The doctor in charge of the hospital or public institution where the death occurred

vi. If there are no such persons, the person who takes action to dispose of the deceased by burial, cremation or by any other means.

There are two types of Applications;

–DECLARATION OF DEATH WITHIN 3 MONTHS [Under Section 30 – Form B 11]

–LATE REGISTRATION OF DEATH AFTER 3 MONTHS [Under Section 36-Form B15]

Where to apply :

Sri Lankan nationals residing in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Samoa can forward their applications with required documents to the Sri Lanka High Commission and the Consulates General Offices as indicated below;

Western Australia (WA), Northern Territory (NT),Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New Zealand, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomon Islands- Sri Lanka High Commission, 61, Hampton Circuit, Yarralumla, Canberra. ACT 2600, Australia.

New South Wales, Queensland – Sri Lanka Consulate General in Sydney
(Please go through www.slcgsyd.com)

Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania – Sri Lanka Consulate General in Melbourne
(Please go through www.slcgmel.org)

Registration of Deaths outside Sri Lanka

1.  Declaration of Death has to be made by a close relative or friend or any other person who was with the deceased at the time of death as indicated above.

2. Original Death Certificate issued by the relevant Authorities.

3. Coroner’s Report

4. Passport [passport of the deceased valid at the time of death] and other available identification documents of the deceased, to prove his/her Sri Lankan Citizenship

5. A letter of request by the applicant stating the relationship to the deceased and informing that there was no previous registration of the death.

Late Registration of Death after 3 months [Under Section 36 – Form B15]

Late registration of death after 3 months but within one year will be considered after examining the reasons for the delay in applying.
Registration Fee-The High Commission is not charging for Registration of a death and for an issuance of Death Certificate .
Postage Charges: Within Australia A$ 25.00 Outside Australia A$ 55.00
Fees should be paid by Cash (only if application is hand delivered), Money Orders or Bank Cheques made in favour of  “Sri Lanka High Commission”. Please note that personal cheques will not be accepted.
If any further clarifications are needed please contact the Consular Division of this High Commission. [admin@slhcaust.org]

Special Note : 

• Translations will not be accepted as originals
• All photocopies must be on A4 size paper.
• This High Commission will not take any responsibility for documents lost or delayed in the post. If required, courier services should be arranged by the applicant
• Money will not be refunded after issuance of a receipt.
• Personal and company cheques are not acceptable.
• Incomplete applications will be rejected.

REPATRIATION OF HUMAN REMAINS / ASHAS TO SRI LANKA :

When a Sri Lankan national passes away abroad, this Mission /CG Melbourne / Sydney conveys that message to NOKK of the deceased in Sri Lanka through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka.

1 Who can make a request to repatriate?

Parents/family member or spouse of the deceased has to make a written request with an affidavit to this Mission through the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka.

2. Please note that NOK of the deceased in Sri Lanka should give consent to receive the human remains and undertake burial arrangements. An Affidavit should be signed in this regard [affidavit has to be filled by the NOKK and has to be attested by a J P expressing his /her wish i.e whether he /she willing to get the human remains repatriated to Sri Lanka or not] and submit to; the Consular Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2nd Floor, Ceylinco Building, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo. 01, Sri Lanka. Tel: 011-9411-2446302 / 5743362/ Fax: 011-9411-2473899, e-mail : http://www.mfa.gov.lk , prior to the dispatch of human remains.

3. Following documents should be submitted to this Mission, as early as possible in order to initiate action for repatriation.

i.    Passport of the deceased.
ii.  Coroner’s certificate (if death was not due to natural reasons)
iii. Police Report (if death was not due to natural reasons)
iv. Certificate of registration of death issued by the registering authority of the area where the death occurred,
v.  Certificate from the health authority where the death occurred
vi. A certificate from the local health authority stating that the deceased did not die due to a disease, related to quarantine procedure.
vii. A copy of Travel itinerary
viii. Certificate from the health authority/Funeral Parlour [Directors] stating that the corpse has been embalmed and packed as required to repatriate human remains and stating that the coffin in which such corpse is encased contains only the body of the deceased.

No Human corpse can be landed in Sri Lanka unless such corpse has been a) embalmed and enclosed in a coffin of hard wood with lead of zinc lining; or b) packed in a coffin of hard wood with hermetically sealed lead or zinc lining with suitable disinfectants (such as chloride or lime or zinc sulphate mixed with sawdust, filling the empty spaces within the coffin.

4. In order to bring human ashes to Sri Lanka, prior permission should be obtained from the Mission submitting following documents with a photocopy.

1. Original Death Certificate

2. Original quarantine Certificate

3. Cremation/buried certificate

4.Copy of Passport/ID of the deceased

5.Flight details

6. Written request stating the relationship.

Such permission shall be granted only if the ashes are sealed in a metal container which is air-tight and water-tight. Human ashes must be brought to the country along with a] Copy of Death Certificate b] quarantine Certificate issued by the local Authority c] a certificate from the authority who cremated/buried the body. d] Letter of permission issued by the Mission/CG.