Visa regulations to be relaxed to boost tourism: Dept.

5 October 2018 02:35 am - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The existing regulations on extending Sri Lankan online visa facility would be relaxed to encourage tourists, an official of the Immigration and Emigration Department said yesterday.

The Visa and Border Controller of the Immigration and Emigration Department Chaminda Hettiarachchi said the Department was planning to relax the online visa regulations.

“Already online applications are available. But conditions like sponsorship will be relaxed,” he said.

The Department is issuing visas for 30 days from the date of arrival although it may be extended up to six months, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) said.

The ETA is the visa issuing authority attached to the Immigration and Emigration Department.

“Discussions are underway to provide facilities to extend the online visa facility without any hurdles,” Hettiarachchi said.

Meanwhile, the Government’s attention had been drawn to relax the visa regulations for countries such as China, India, France, German, the United Kingdom and the Middle Eastern countries to promote tourism.

Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga earlier said the visa issuing regulations would be relaxed to meet the tourist arrival targets in the country. (Indika Sri Aravinda)

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Comments - 7

Saranga Friday, 05 October 2018 05:29 AM

Get rid of visa open borders and let people and ideas to flourish

Deepal Edirisinghe Friday, 05 October 2018 05:42 AM

Department should have very effective and very active Mechanism to deport overstayed and those who arebreaching the conditions of stay as well. At the same time Department and law enforcement agencies should notify the general public to report any Visitors who are doing illegal activities while staying In the Island.

logic Friday, 05 October 2018 08:20 AM

To SRI LANKA, very little RICH tourists come. The economic tourists who come here, don't have much purchasing power; so their spending is relatively low.

Gamini Friday, 05 October 2018 07:14 PM

This is the problem of Sri Lanka as a nation. Wants to do big first time. There are 12000 million tourists in the world /year in the world and only 36 million millionaires. What is wrong with 37 low spenders compared to one? Real rich do not come to SL. Every tourist brings foreign exchange and employment. Make it easy for them. Most countries give tourist visa for 6 months.

Gihan Friday, 05 October 2018 10:06 AM

AiyoooThis is a disaster

aruna jayakody Friday, 05 October 2018 01:54 PM

Attracting five normal tourists is better than a very rich one. Most of them are love to visit again. This is my experience.

Ahmed Saturday, 06 October 2018 08:33 AM

dont make it easy for countries that put strict visa rules on sri lanka. make it easy only for countries give sri lankans easy access

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Visa regulations to be relaxed to boost tourism: Dept.

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