Sri Lankan passport photos are 35x45mm with a 32-36mm head, on a plain light background, taken within the last six months.
Fit your head inside the guide
Chin to crown should measure 32-36mm.
Leave about 3mm above your hair
Visible space at the top edge.
Center your face on the vertical line
Head straight, looking at the camera.
The 35x45mm format used for Sri Lankan passport applications.
No glasses or headwear
Sri Lanka's rules are stricter than most.
Colour photo, unedited
No retouching or filters.
Neutral expression
As natural and neutral as possible.
Taken within the last 6 months
Must reflect your current appearance.
3
35x45mm with a 32-36mm head, and the same strict no-headwear rule the ETA photo uses.
Hats, scarves and helmets are ruled out.
Unedited photos only — no filters or smoothing.
Space between your hair and the top edge.
Uniform, evenly lit, no shadows.
Applications are made at the Department in Colombo or regional offices.
Sri Lankan passport applications are handled by the Department of Immigration & Emigration, at the head office in Battaramulla or at regional offices, with a same-day service available at some locations.
Bring photos that meet the specification rather than relying on getting them taken on the day. If you are applying through a mission abroad, your own photos matter more still.
A 32-36mm head with about 3mm above the hair.
Your head should measure 32mm to 36mm from the chin to the top of the head or hair — roughly 70-80% of the 45mm frame — with visible space of around 3mm above.
This is the same geometry as the Sri Lankan ETA photo, so a compliant crop covers both documents as long as the photo is still recent.
Stricter than the usual religious-exemption wording.
Published Sri Lankan photo guidance lists hats, scarves and helmets as not permitted, without the standard 'except for religious reasons' carve-out that most countries include.
If you cover your head for religious reasons, contact the Department or the mission handling your application before submitting, rather than assuming the usual exemption applies.
Plain and light, high resolution, unedited.
Guidance varies between plain white and light grey; either way it must be plain, light and free of shadows. A plain wall in even, diffuse light satisfies both readings.
The photo must be in colour, high resolution and unedited, with a neutral expression — as natural as possible, without smiling.
Printed at 35 x 45mm, 827 x 1063px, JPG/PNG. Computed from this photo's own specification, not typed by hand.
Requirements verified · Source: immigration.gov.lk
Watch out — Identical prints needed: 3
Create the 35x45mm photo a Sri Lankan passport application needs — correct head height, plain background, free and 100% private.
Choose a clear, recent colour photo from your phone or computer.
We crop to 35x45mm with a 32-36mm head and a 3mm top margin.
Save the file and print copies for your application.
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