The government has eliminated most license controls, with a few items remaining under license control mainly for health and national security reasons.  Poultry and some types of agriculture commodities are under import license control with agricultural commodities also requiring non-GMO certification.  Sri Lanka reserves the right to prohibit GM agricultural commodities on the basis of the precautionary principle.  The importation of chicken meat is prohibited; however, this is a protectionist trade measure.

In June 2020, the government imposed temporary import suspensions on a range of goods deemed non-essential in a bid to project the exchange rate after it came under pressure after governments efforts to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.  The full list of items can be found on: http://www.imexport.gov.lk/index.php/en/downloads/gazette.html    

The import of drugs is subject to the approval of the Drugs and Cosmetic Devices Committee of the Ministry of Health. 

The Ministry of Defense controls the import of firearms and ammunition for use by the armed forces, police, and civil security.  Certain military-related or dual-use items are prohibited or controlled.  Radars, night-vision devices, beta lights, armored vehicles, explosion-detection equipment, digital-jamming equipment, infrared illuminators, GPS equipment, and laser designators are prohibited.  Imports of laser/radar range finders and thermal-image devices are subject to Ministry of Defense approval.  Remote-controlled toys are also under license control for public security reasons.  There are restrictions on the import of toxic and hazardous chemicals and pesticides.  Used and reconditioned air conditioners and refrigerators are under license control for environmental protection.