Limits of the sea

Sri Lanka Customs Ordinance

can be enforced.

A D Nilanga (MBAC/21/110)
 Main Maritime Zones
1. Territorial Waters
Section 1 - Article 2 – legal status
Section 2 – Limits of the territorial sea – 12 NM
2. Contiguous Zone
Section 4 – Article 33 - 24 NM
3. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Limit - Article 57 – 200 NMs
Article 56
 Territorial waters – 12NM

Contiguous Zone 24 NM

EEZ – 200NM

1 NM = 1.852 km
https://www.slam.lk/protected-waters
Historic waters and internal waters
• Article 15 of UNCLOS - territorial sea between States with opposite or
adjacent coasts

• India–Sri Lanka maritime boundary agreements

I. Boundary in historic waters of Palk Strait between the two
countries and related matters June 26/28, 1974
II. Maritime boundary in the Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal and
related matters March 22, 1976
III. Determination of the tri-junction point between India, Sri Lanka
and Maldives in the Gulf of Mannar July, 1976
IV. Extension of maritime boundary in the Gulf of Mannar November
22, 1976

• Maritime Zones Law (No. 22 of 1976)

• Proclamation by the President 15 January 1977
 Important sections of C.O.
• Section 27 – Customs to have full cognizance of All ships coming into
Sri Lanka and cargo on board
• Section 33 – Rules and regulations applicable for ships importing cargo
• Section 65 – No goods shall be imported or exported by any ship of
less burthen than 15 tons
• Section 116 – No boat or ship shall be hauled on shore at any public
wharf, beach or landing place in SL without the permission of DGC and
power to detain.
• Section 118 – Rummage of vessels within territorial waters
• Section 127 – arrest can be made at any place either upon land or
water
• Section 135 – Ships may be seized at any place either upon land or
water
For crimes committed within the territorial waters and outside the
territorial waters what court has the jurisdiction to hear the case?

Refer Section 128 of Criminal Procedure Code