Sri Lanka’s three working languages
Under the Constitution, Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages of Sri Lanka and English is the link language. Laws, court records and official certificates may be issued in any of them. As a result, many people need documents translated from Sinhala to English, English to Sinhala, English to Tamil, Tamil to English or between Sinhala and Tamil.
Free translators versus document translation
Online tools are useful for understanding a message or a web page. They are not suitable when the translation will be submitted to an embassy, a court, a university or an employer. Machine translation can confuse legal terms, transliterate names inconsistently and drop stamps, seals or handwritten notes. For official use, the translation must match the original exactly and often needs to be certified.
What a sworn translation is
A sworn translation is a translation certified by a sworn translator, who confirms that it is a true and accurate rendering of the original. Sworn translations are commonly requested for visa and immigration applications, foreign university admissions, court proceedings and overseas employment.
Requirements differ between organisations. Before you order a translation, ask the receiving organisation whether it needs a sworn translation, a particular format or an original seal.
Documents that often need a sworn translation
- Birth, marriage and death certificates
- National identity card and police reports or clearance certificates
- Educational certificates and transcripts
- Deeds, affidavits, powers of attorney and court documents
- Contracts, company documents and letters for use abroad
How to check a translated document
Compare the translation with the original line by line. Pay particular attention to the spelling of names (use the spelling in your passport where one exists), dates, identity numbers, amounts and addresses. Make sure that every stamp, seal, signature and handwritten note is translated or noted.
Translate documents with Lex Translate
Lex Translate is a dedicated document translation service for Sri Lanka, with optional sworn review and certificate verification. Upload a PDF, photo or Word document, choose the language and service, and check the result before use. Explore Lex Translate or order online at mytranslates.com, our service for sworn translation in Sri Lanka from Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Questions and answers
What is a sworn translator in Sri Lanka?
A sworn translator is a translator authorised to certify that a translation is a true and accurate rendering of the original document. Embassies, courts and universities often ask for sworn translations.
Can I use Google Translate for an official document?
Free tools are useful for understanding text, but most organisations will not accept a machine translation of an official document. They usually require a certified or sworn translation.
Which documents need a sworn translation from Sinhala to English?
Birth, marriage and death certificates, police reports, educational certificates, deeds and court documents are commonly requested. Always confirm with the receiving organisation.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Last updated 6 October 2026.