Registration of Hindu Religious Institutions
Registering with the Department
The Department keeps the register of Hindu religious institutions in Sri Lanka. Registration brings a temple, an institution or an Aranery school onto that register, which is what lets it apply for assistance, hold recognised examinations, and have its priests and teachers issued identity cards.
There are three routes, each with its own form and its own supporting documents. They are set out below in full, so you can gather everything before you start.
Registered records appear in the Department’s public directories.
A Hindu temple
Hindu temples anywhere in the country are registered at the Department. The temple must be administered only by Hindus.
Attach to the application:
- A short history of the temple
- Details of the administrative committee
- An approved constitution of the administration
- The document proving title to the temple land
- Annual reports of the administration and accounts
- Details of temple idols, special poojas and annual festivals
- Details of social activities carried out by the temple
- Bank account number, if there is one
A Hindu temple
Application form
PDF · 664 KB
A Hindu institution
A Hindu religious and cultural institution formed to promote Hindu religious and cultural activities is registered at the Department. Every member of the institution must be Hindu.
Attach to the application:
- Minutes of the inaugural general meeting
- Particulars of the elected office bearers
- An approved constitution
- An action plan
- Particulars of accounts
- Particulars of the Aranery school, if the institution conducts one
- Bank account number, if there is one
A Hindu institution
Application form
PDF · 660 KB
An Aranery school
Aranery schools are registered at the Department. A school must be managed under a temple or an organisation that is itself already registered with the Department.
Attach to the application:
- The registration certificate of the Hindu temple or institution that administers the school
- Details of the Aranery school students
- Student attendance for the previous three months
- Full details of the Aranery school teachers
An Aranery school
Application form
PDF · 462 KB
How to apply
01
Download the form for your route above and complete it.
02
Prepare each of the supporting documents on a separate sheet, and annexe them to the form.
03
Send the completed application and its annexes by registered post to The Director, Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs, No. 180, T. B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10.
04
An officer in the division concerned checks the application against the file and replies.
Fees and processing time. The Department does not publish a fee or a processing time for this service. Ask the Assistant Director (Administration) below before you send anything, rather than assuming either.
Who to ask about this service
Registration and general administration
Mrs. C. R. Nimaliny, Assistant Director (Administration)
+94 112 503740
Anything concerning a temple
Assistant Director (Temple) · +94 112 552642, ext 120
adtemple@hindudept.gov.lk
Anything concerning an Aranery school
Mrs. Hemalogini Kumaran, Assistant Director (Hindu Education) · +94 112 554278, ext 201
adaranery@hindudept.gov.lk
Related
Downloads and forms — every form the Department publishes
Directories — the register as it stands
E-Services — the other fifteen services