Sri Lanka halal certification and ACJU

In Sri Lanka, the name you may meet on a halal certificate is ACJU, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama. A certificate is more than a sign, but it still needs reading: who issued it, when it expires and which premises it covers. Compare the issuer with JAKIM’s published list before you rely on it.

What is ACJU, and why does the name matter?

ACJU is the body whose name you may see on Sri Lankan halal certificates. For a traveller, the name matters less than what the document shows. A certificate is a piece of evidence you can inspect, which a sign is not.

In our claim states, a visible certificate puts a venue at certified, provided you can read the issuer, the expiry and the premises. Without it, the venue is operator-declared at best.

How do I read the certificate?

Check four things, in this order.

• Issuer: is the name clearly ACJU, or another body?
• Expiry date: is it still valid on the day you eat?
• Premises: does it name this outlet or address?
• Scope: does it cover the kitchen, or only certain products?

If anything is missing, ask the staff, then decide by your own standard. If you want a ruling on what counts for your family, ask your own ustaz or the state mufti office.

How do I verify it against JAKIM?

JAKIM publishes its list of recognised foreign halal certification bodies as a PDF at halal.gov.my/pdf/cb/FHCB21August2026.pdf, linked from the Foreign Halal Certification Body section of its portal². Open the current list and see whether a Sri Lankan body appears there.

The list is updated, so use the latest version rather than a screenshot. Do the check before you fly, when you have the time.

What do I do when there is no certificate?

Treat the venue by its claim state.

• Sign only: operator-declared. Ask questions.
• Muslim-owned: a reasonable starting point for questions, not proof. Muslims are a minority: Pew Research Center estimated 8.5% in 2010¹, so plan on asking rather than assuming.
• Pork-free or vegetarian: useful, but ask about lard, stock and alcohol in sauces.
• No evidence at all: unknown, which is never the same as halal.

The dietary enquiry brief generator writes the questions for you. For arrangements with a tour operator or hotel, see which arrangements to confirm in writing.

What about entry?

Malaysian MOFA states that Malaysians must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka, and that the visa is free of charge³. Check the official page before you fly, since entry rules change.

Where to read next

For the whole country, read our Sri Lanka guide for Malaysians, and for the capital, Colombo for Muslim travellers. Use the meal-assurance comparison tool when comparing tour offers. More destinations are in the country and city guides.