Sri Lanka

Small, mostly foreign Jewish presence centred on Chabad Houses that serve Israeli visitors. In June 2025 immigration officers deported five foreign rabbis and shochtim from a Mirigama kosher poultry plant for working on visitor visas, and in July 2025 the Pottuvil Divisional Development Committee ordered the Arugam Bay Chabad House closed for lacking legal approval. Both were pursued as visa and permit enforcement; in September 2025 the Religious Affairs Minister told Parliament the Chabad House posed no security threat.

Last reviewed 26 Oct 2026

1. 2023
   Small Jewish community, no government action reported
   The report notes a small Jewish population and records no government action concerning it.
   Source: US State Department, 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom