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Disclaimer / Limitations
This country’s legal measures were reviewed by our legal staff in consultation with in-country lawyers and/or CRVS legal experts. All efforts were made to ensure the accuracy of the legal analysis, however, if you consider there to be any discrepancies or if there have been changes in the law of the country since our staff last updated the legal analysis, we welcome any additional information or insights. Please contact us via this form.
Civil Registration System
Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka
Civil Registration System
Local Civil Registrations
Local Civil Registrations
Powers and Responsibilities of Local Civil Registrars
Is the local civil registrar empowered by law to register vital events? If yes, do they have the power to issue certificates of registration?
Yes civil registrar empowered to register vital events and issue certificates
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Legislation should clearly state the duties and powers of local registrars (the civil registrar responsible for the primary registration area), which include recording and registering vital events in compliance with registration laws, and issuing certificates or copies of vital records upon request, without needing approval from the central level.
All Registrars of Division in Sri Lanka are required and authorized by law to register births, deaths and stillbirths occurring in their jurisdiction. The Registrar of Division is also authorized to issue a certificate ofregistration for free at the time of registration.
Does the registrar (local or other level) have the authority to correct minor errors (such as data entry errors and typographical errors)? If yes, are such changes free of charge?
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Legislation should authorize the local civil registrar to make minor corrections such as typographical and data entry errors in civil registration records. Such corrections should be free of charge.
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Law Source
Does the registrar (local or other level) have the power to add omitted information (such as name of baby, in the case of late naming, and paternity information)?
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
Legislation should authorize the local civil registrar to add uncontested information such as uncontested paternity information, and add omitted information such as adding or amending the name of a child within a defined time period.
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Law Source
Transmission of Data to Central Registry
Does the law require the local civil registration office to transmit registration records to the national civil registration authority on a regular and timely basis?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
The legislation should set time frames for transfer of information from the local register to the centralized register. The time frames may vary based on policymakers' discretion, depending on whether the system is computerized or non-computerized.
Civil registration under the Births and Deaths Registration Act is envisioned as being paper-based. During registration, the informant registers particulars of birth, death and stillbirth with the Registrar of Division. The Registrar of Division makes three copies of this registration entry, with the third copy being the "Registration Certificate". Under Section 11 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, the Registrars of Division are required to send second copies of registration entries to the District Registrar "at the end of each fixed period in that behalf by the Registrar General". The District Registrar sends these copies to the Registrar General. This "fixed period" is not defined explicitly in the Act itself but in practice is monthly.
Does the law provide the criteria or required qualifications for appointing, designating, or selecting local registrars?
Yes
Recommended Practice based on International Guidelines
It is important that the law provide clear requirements governing fitness and qualifications of local civil registrars. To prevent corruption, the law should provide that registrars be full-time public service officials, with defined terms of employment and adequate salary level.
The Births and Deaths Registration Act mentions grounds for disqualification, and not criteria for qualifications of local registrars (Registrars of Division). A person is disqualified from being a Registrar if they become a member of parliament, provincial council or local authority; or holds any other paid office in the Republic; or is engaged in a profession that would prejudicially affect duties as a Registrar. Circulars set out the criteria of eligibility to become a Registrar of Division, including being a citizen, registered permanent resident in the division, and being no younger than 30 years of age and no older than 50 years of age at the closing of applications.
