Department of Archaeology – Laws and Regulations

The Fort in Galle is a declared archaeological monument.  The area surrounded by the rampart walls and its buffer zone are a living heritage site where people live and carry out their day to day activities.  Therefore, it is necessary to regulate still and video photography and other activities within this area, so that it would not cause a nuisance to the residents, visitors and others.  Therefore, only such permitted activities will be allowed, subject to the following conditions :-

1. Still and video photography of the archaeological monument of Galle Fort should be carried out only in the presence of an authorized officer of the Department of Archaeology, and in keeping with the conditions placed by him for public interest.
2. No images of persons in indecent postures should be included in your photographs or videos.
3. By your actions in carrying out photography, no harm whatever should be caused to any old monument, place, ground or environment, and you should ensure that no such harm is caused.
4. No still or video photography should be carried out within an archaeological museum.
5. No photography should be carried out in places where the Department is conducting conservation or excavation work.
6. These conditions are laid down in terms of Regulation No. 47 of Regulations, imposed by Gazette No. 8698 dated 23.12.1940, in accordance with Section 47 of the Antiquities Ordinance No. 9 of 1940.  Violating these conditions or regulations would be a punishable offence under Section 44 of the Ordinance.  Further, violation of these conditions or regulations or any harm done in any way to antiquities, would constitute a punishable offence under Sub Section 15 (b)  of the Antiquities (Amendment) Act No. 24  of 1998.
7. If the output of such photography is used for any commercial purpose, included in any publication, telecast or broadcast, or used for advertisement or exhibition, the final copy should be submitted to the Department of Archaeology and prior approval obtained.
8. Photography should be for the specific for which permission has been obtained, and if it is to be used for any other purpose, prior written permission should be obtained from the Department of Archaeology.
9. If photography is to be done inside an archaeological monument, prior permission should be obtained from the caretaker of such monument.
10. If aerial photography is to be carried out over Galle Fort, the aircraft should not fly below a height of 500 meters.
11. If drone cameras are used, prior permission should be obtained from the Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority, the office of the Head of Joint Defence Staff and other relevant authorities. In operating drone cameras, the drone should not fly directly above a monument or archaeological site, and the drone should fly at a vertical distance of 100 feet or more.
12. The Director General of Archaeology could at any time cancel the permission granted and the Department of Archaeology is not liable for any compensation in such event.
13. This permission is valid only for the period mentioned.
14. In photography carried out for films, tele-dramas or other similar purposes, no constructions, excavations or lighting of fires should be carried out. In erecting temporary enclosures, the permit holder should ensure that it is done without digging the earth. Also, temporary enclosures should not be connected to any monument or part of monument.
15. In carrying out photography for films, tele-dramas and commercials, a full report containing the script, a summary of the story and the manner in which photography will be done in the location of the monument, should be submitted to the Department of Archaeology, together with the request for permission for photography.
16. At the conclusion of the programme, the location should be properly cleaned and handed over to the Department of Archaeology.
17. Due to this filming, photography or video filming, no nuisance should be caused to the residents, visitors and others in Galle Fort.

1. All types of programmes conducted within the archaeological site of Galle Fort should be carried out in the presence of an authorized officer of the Department of Archaeology, and in conformity with the conditions laid down by him in the public interest.
2. Disrespectful postures, indecent behavior or programmes which are unsuitable to the culture of Sri Lanka are prohibited.
3. These conditions are laid down in terms Section 47 (e) of the Antiquities Ordinance No. 9 of 1940, and any person who violates these conditions or regulations will be committing a punishable offence under Section 44 of this Ordinance. Violation of these conditions or regulations or any harm done in any way to antiquities, would constitute a punishable offence under Sub Section 15 (b) of the Antiquities (Amendment) Act No. 24 of 1998.
4. If drone cameras are used, prior permission should be obtained from the Sri Lanka Civil Aviation Authority, the office of the Head of Joint Defence Staff and other relevant authorities.  In  operating drone cameras, the drone should not fly directly above a monument or archaeological site, and the drone should fly at a vertical distance of 100 feet or more.
5. Permission shall not be granted for any programme to be conducted using the rampart walls.
6. In conducting programmes, no constructions, excavations or lighting of fires should be carried out. In erecting temporary enclosures, no constructions, excavations or lighting of fires should be done.  Also, temporary enclosures should not be connected to any monument or part of monument.
7. In conducting the programme, no damage or disrespect should be caused to any ancient site, and also the permission holder should ensure that no damage is caused to any ground or the environment.
8. The Director General of Archaeology could at any time cancel the permission granted and the Department of Archaeology is not liable for any compensation in such event
9. Permission should also be obtained from other relevant institutions.
10. At the conclusion of the programme, the location should be properly cleaned and handed over to the Department of Archaeology.
11. When programmes are conducted during week-ends and outside working hours, the relevant party should undertake to pay the archaeological officers engaged in supervision, overtime or any other approved allowances.

1. No permission shall be given for the display of banners or cut-outs within Galle Fort.
2. Name boards of businesses should not exceed 10’ x 2’ feet in size and no colors other than black and white should be used.
3. In installing name boards, no damage whatever should be caused to the monument or any part of it and archaeological features of the monument should not be covered in any way.
4. No brand sponsorship boards of any type should be displayed.
5. If posters are displayed opposite business premises, they should not exceed 2 ½ ‘x 1 ½ ‘ feet in size and they should be fixed to frames and be removable.
6. No poster, banner or cut-out should be fixed on the rampart walls