LankaGuide

Lost / Stolen Passport Replacement Sri Lanka 2026

~8 min read

If your Sri Lankan passport is lost or stolen, you must follow a specific process: file a police report, gather documents, and apply for a replacement passport. This guide explains immediate actions, fines, total costs, and what to do if the passport was lost abroad.

Immediate Actions Required

File a police report immediately

A certified police report is required before you can apply for a replacement.

Fines apply (if passport was still valid)

Example: Rs. 20,000 fine (lost within 1 year) + Rs. 10,000 passport fee = Rs. 30,000 total.

Old passport is cancelled

Even if you find it later, you cannot use it once reported.

Fines & Total Costs

Lost timeframeFinePassport feeTotal cost
Within 1 year of issueRs. 20,000Rs. 10,000Rs. 30,000
After 1 year of issueRs. 15,000Rs. 10,000Rs. 25,000

Good news: If the passport had already expired at the time it was lost, no fine is charged — you only pay the standard passport fee (Rs. 10,000).

Step-by-Step Process

  1. 1

    File a police report

    • ✓ Visit the nearest police station
    • ✓ Report your passport lost or stolen
    • ✓ Get a certified copy of the police report
    • ✓ Keep the report number safe
  2. 2

    Report to Immigration

    If lost in Sri Lanka: visit the Department of Immigration & Emigration. If lost abroad: contact the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy/Consulate.

  3. 3

    Gather documents

    • • Police report (certified copy)
    • • Birth certificate (original)
    • • NIC (original + photocopy)
    • • Application form K-35A
    • • Passport photos (if manual)
    • • Copy of lost passport (if available)

    For a broader checklist, see Documents Required.

  4. 4

    Pay fine + passport fee

    Lost within 1 year:

    Rs. 30,000

    Lost after 1 year:

    Rs. 25,000

    Fees may change; for the complete fee breakdown see Passport Fees & Payment.

  5. 5

    Wait for processing

    Normal processing is typically 8–12 weeks. Your old passport will be permanently cancelled after reporting.

Lost Abroad? Get an Emergency Certificate

Can't wait 8–12 weeks abroad? You can request an Emergency Certificate (NMRP) from the Sri Lankan Embassy/Consulate.

  • ✓ Valid for one-way travel back to Sri Lanka only
  • ✓ Issued via Sri Lankan Embassy/Consulate
  • ✓ Typically issued within 1–2 days
  • ✓ Apply for a full replacement passport once back in Sri Lanka

Important Rules

Cannot use the old passport

Even if you find it later, it's permanently cancelled in the global database. Using it can cause serious legal problems.

Fines apply only if the passport was still valid

If the passport had already expired when it was lost, there is no fine — only the standard passport fee.

Police report is mandatory

You cannot apply for a replacement without a certified police report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I find my passport after reporting it lost?
You cannot use it. Once reported, the passport is permanently cancelled in the global system. You must apply for a replacement passport.
Can I avoid the fine?
No if the passport was still valid when it was lost. The only exception is when the passport had already expired at the time it was lost—then no fine is charged.
Lost abroad — what should I do?
1) Make a police report in that country, 2) contact the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy/Consulate to request an Emergency Certificate (for one-way return travel), 3) return to Sri Lanka and apply for a full replacement passport.
How long does replacement take?
For most cases, replacement takes 8–12 weeks (normal processing), similar to a new passport. Urgent service is typically not available for lost passports.

Disclaimer

Fines and requirements may change. Always verify the latest rules on the official immigration website or by calling 1962 before applying. Last updated: February 24, 2026.