Serving as the legal deposit for all publications on the island, the National Archives carries out a function different to that of Archives and Records Management. Hence, the Director General of the National Archives is also the Registrar of Books and Newspapers. The Registration of Books and Newspapers Division is responsible for the registration of books and newspapers published on the island and for maintaining the legal depository for the state.
Download the Newspaper Registration Form Here
Download Printing Press Registration Form
Download Printing Press Monthly Declaration Form
What happens to the copies?
One copy is deposited at the National Archives as the legal deposit copy. One copy each is sent to the National Library and Documentation Centre, the Library of the Colombo National Museum, the Library of the University of Peradeniya, and the Library of the University of Ruhuna.
Registration of printing presses in the Department of National Archives
Why should your printing press be registered with the Department of National Archives?
All printing presses operating in Sri Lanka under the Printing Press Ordinance (Authority 178), the Printers and Publishers Ordinance (Chapter 179), and the Newspapers Ordinance (Authority 180) must be registered with the Department of National Archives of Sri Lanka. As of December 31, 2023, there are 2,566 printing presses registered with us across Sri Lanka. Register your press with the Department of National Archives to avoid future legal and identity issues.
For that,
Step 1:
I. You can visit the Registration of Books and Newspapers Division of the National Archives of Sri Lanka to obtain three copies of the DNA/12/II form.
II. Or, you can download the DNA/12/II form from the official website of the Department of National Archives of Sri Lanka (resources/118/Printing Press.pdf).
III. You can request instructions and forms by sending a letter with details about your press to: Director General, Department of National Archives, P.O. Box 1414, No. 7, Philip Gunawardena Mawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka.
Step 2:
You must sign the documents and take an oath before the Magistrate's Court. The application concerning your printing press will then be forwarded to the Department of National Archives by the Court.
Step 3:
After receiving the documents from the Court, the Department of National Archives will register your press and open the relevant files. Department of National Archives will then send you a letter informing you, that your press has been registered and providing guidance on how to operate thereafter.
If you want to know more about this, you can contact the relevant section through this telephone number - 0112688755.
Step 4:
Once the press is registered,
I. Any change in the name of the press, the ownership of the press, or the location of the press must be communicated in a new statement made before a Magistrate.
II. If the printing press is closed, whether permanently or temporarily, a written notification should be sent to this Department.
III. In every book, magazine, or pamphlet printed, the full name of the printer (the name of the press alone is not sufficient), the full name of the publisher, and the location of publication must be clearly stated.
IV. Five copies of each printed item must be sent to us one month before the expiration of the issue. The DNA/12/III form should also be completed and submitted along with the copies. (resources/118/Monthly Decle.pdf)
V. Every printer must complete Form RBN/3 for the publications printed in the previous month before the 5th of each month. The name and address of the author and publisher should also be included in every printed book. If no books have been printed, this should be indicated on the form. (The relevant RBN forms will be sent along with the instruction sheets that we send to you after registration. They can also be downloaded from the department's official website if necessary.) resources/118/Form of Particulars.pdf
