For anyone looking to go to Sri Lanka with your drone and do some recreational shooting as a tourist, here's my experience. from January 2018:
Before travelling, I did some reading here and elsewhere and found a lot of conflicting information, so I managed to contact the CCA of Sri Lanka to ask about the process. They actually got back to me in a timely manner with a detailed email and attached documents. I later found the same documents
here on the CAA website.
An excerpt of their email is below:
So essentially it is a three part process: 1) Security Clearance, 2) Registration, 3) Permits for operation.
Basically, it's just too difficult/time-consuming/costly to go through all these bureaucratic processes to fly recreationally while on holiday. I couldn't justify the hassle, and didn't have time anyway.
Getting my drone into Sri Lanka wasn't an issue. After arriving in Colombo, I had the Mavic in my carry-on of course. I picked up my checked bag and just walked out of the airport. No security check or scan.
I toured around to all the common sites. I saw an Indian photo crew flying a Phantom at Nine Arches Bridge during a wedding shoot, with police/security standing by. I'm guessing they had a permit. I also saw a Chinese tourist flying her MP at Galle Fort with plenty of people around, in broad view and seemingly oblivious to her surroundings. She seemed to get away with it and probably got some nice footage although she seemed a rookie pilot. There are no-drones-allowed signage at the major archeological sites, as expected.
I talked to my tour guide about flying and he confirmed that it is indeed difficult to get the required permits to fly, especially for the main attractions. He said even Discovery Channel couldn't get them and their shoot was scrapped as a result. He said that there are certain high-security areas, esp. around the major sites and to fly there would be a big risk.
My guide and I spoke to security officers at a few of the more minor attractions (waterfalls, etc) about possibly flying and they actually gave permission for me to fly if I chose to do so. They didn't ask for permits. I didn't bother flying, not wanting to get into a situation where I might be asked for money after the fact.
In summary, for the tourist, I wouldn't hesitate to bring the drone through Sri Lanka if you have other countries on your travel itinerary like I did. As for flying there, the process seems prohibitive to me, but if you choose to follow it, you should do so well in advance. For risking it and flying without a permit, it seems like the major sites are a no-go but you may be able to fly at some minor sites with permission from the security personnel on duty at the site. Of course YMMV.