Sri Lanka Badu Numbers - 144l 〈2024〉

The 144l refers to Section 144(l) of the Customs Ordinance of Sri Lanka. Under this provision, the Director-General of Customs can restrict or prohibit the importation of specific goods unless the importer holds a valid licence issued by the relevant line ministry or government authority.

In simple terms:

The list changes frequently based on government gazettes. Common categories include: Sri Lanka Badu Numbers - 144l

Important: Always check the current “Negative List” or “Restricted Import List” published by the Sri Lanka Customs or the Ministry of Finance. A product requiring a 144l today may be freely importable next month.

For all its cultural elegance, the 144l system is not without danger. The 144l refers to Section 144(l) of the

Police in Colombo Fort have recorded 47 complaints related to "Badu number fraud" between January and October 2025, with 12 specifically citing 144l as the exploited term.

Due to economic challenges and import restrictions in Sri Lanka over recent years, a "repair, don't replace" culture has exploded. Engineers search for "Badu Numbers" to cross-reference replacement parts. If your vintage soldering station or oscilloscope fails, knowing that the internal transformer carries the "144l" code can help you find a donor unit. Important: Always check the current “Negative List” or

In Sri Lanka’s commercial and trading landscape, the term "Badu Number" (from the Sinhala word Badu meaning "goods" or "merchandise") is widely used. However, the official legal term for this is the "144l Licence" or “Section 144l Import Licence.”

This article explains what the 144l number is, why it exists, who needs it, and how to obtain it.