Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185) - Sri Lanka (Ratification: 2016)

The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication that it has launched, in 2021, the issuance of a new SID in accordance with the amended version of the Convention. It further notes that the Government submitted a specimen of the new SID. The Government indicates that it will consider introducing the necessary regulations for the implementation of the Convention in the future. The Committee requests the Government to address the issues raised below and to provide information on any developments regarding the implementation of the Convention.

Article 1(2) of the Convention. Definitions and scope of application.The Committee refers to its comments on the application of Article II of the Maritime Labour Convention, as amended (MLC, 2006).

Articles 2 to 5. Issuance of seafarers’ identity documents. In reply to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that it complies with the provisions of Articles 2 to 5 of the Convention. The Government also indicates that the issuing process includes a national electronic database and quality control and evaluation. Considering the Government’s information that it has not yet adopted regulations to implement the Convention,the Committee requests it to indicate the legislation or other measures adopted, which give effect to Articles 2 to 5.

Article 6. Facilitation of shore leave and transit and transfer of seafarers. In reply to its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s reference to procedures for seafarers arriving by air in order to board a ship, or arriving by ship in order to board an aircraft. The Government indicates that they must hold a seaman book together with a passport and hold a letter of guarantee from the shipping company, and that visa is not required if the procedure is completely arranged by the shipping company. The Committee recalls that Article 6 provides that each Member for which this Convention is in force shall, in the shortest possible time, and unless clear grounds exist for doubting the authenticity of the SID, permit the entry into its territory of a seafarer holding: (i) a valid SID, when entry is requested for temporary shore leave while the ship is in port; or (ii) a valid SID supplemented by a passport, when entry is requested for the purpose of (a) joining their ship or transferring to another ship; (b) passing in transit to join their ship in another country or for repatriation. The Committee accordingly requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensureconformity with the requirements of Article 6.