SL to scrap visa-on-arrival for Indians, others

28 September 2011 12:54 pm - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Indian tourists, business people and transit passengers will have to apply for travel authorisation ahead of heading for Sri Lanka, in a few months from now. Indians constitute the biggest chunk of tourists into the country.

On Wednesday, Sri Lanka’s Immigration and Emigration department announced that an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system that will replace the simple visa-on-arrival facility for travellers from 78 countries. The visa-on-arrival will continue for people travelling from The Maldives and Singapore — two countries that reciprocate the facility for Sri Lankans travelling to these countries.

The ETA is a web-based system that grants a person permission to travel to Sri Lanka. “It is not a visa in itself, but an approval for travel,” explained the Immigration and Emigration Controller Chulananda Perera. The visa will be stamped on the passport on arrival here; but the passenger will have to log in ahead, and have the authorisation.

It will cost the passenger US$50 (for a tourist visa with double entry for 30 days), US$60 (business visa with multiple entry for 30 days) or US$25 (for transit visa with single entry for seven days). The fee has to be paid online. “The ETA will be approved in minutes. In some cases it could take longer. But no application will take longer than 24 hours,” said R. M. S. Sarath Kumar, Controller (Visa).

Mr. Perera explained that the ETA had several advantages for both the visitor and the Immigration department. It had to be adopted to identify people ahead of their arrival in Sri Lanka, keeping in mind the current global situation, he added. (Source: The Hindu)

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Comments - 24

jason Wednesday, 28 September 2011 03:39 PM

This is an excellent move...but authorities have to make sure the systems work well with out on-line system failures etc. As we have seen we are good at implementing things but never think about how it can work to achieve the ultimate goal. So please keep a simple system that works

rohan Thursday, 29 September 2011 09:46 AM

Good move. Visa fees should be equal to what other countries charge us.

Lanke Banda Thursday, 29 September 2011 09:22 AM

At last. Should be reciprocal Visa for Lankans then Visa for Indians.

ajja Thursday, 29 September 2011 09:00 AM

Excellent

Pls persuade other countries to allow Sri Lankans the on arrival visa

lanka Thursday, 29 September 2011 08:10 AM

A government with backbone.

Tin Thursday, 29 September 2011 05:57 AM

@Mohamed
How many countries provide on arrival visa for Sri Lankans?

lalith Thursday, 29 September 2011 05:56 AM

Excellent decision.Why only give them when we don't get.

hail. President Mahinda Rajapakse for valuing the srilankans as always done by him. great.......

Sri Lankan Wednesday, 28 September 2011 04:09 PM

Who says Indian Tourists!. More than 75 % are Traders and their Golays carrying Goods both ways.

Sam Wednesday, 28 September 2011 03:55 PM

I think that the rates quoted in the article are far too high for the tourist visa, as India charges much less for Sri Lankans travelling to India.

palitha Wednesday, 28 September 2011 03:48 PM

we wel come this decition and request to charge 25usd as visa fees

sarath Wednesday, 28 September 2011 03:46 PM

good move. SL is not a sub-state of India to travel freely. we need to get visa to go India.

dexter Wednesday, 28 September 2011 03:45 PM

excellent... great idea and move

Calistus Jayatilleke Wednesday, 28 September 2011 01:32 PM

Very good move. Visas should be on reciprocal basis only: if we get they get, otherwise they dont!

saibu Nana Wednesday, 28 September 2011 03:38 PM

i think the goverment will have to implement a tuff regulation for indians who are visiitng srilanka,,,,,,,most of these so called indians on business visa selling clothes in most of the towns where it is affecting our local businessman , and some got married to srilankan girls in the up country , and some may bring with them dreaded diseases like HIV, AIDS, TB, and so on ...so the authrories must take an appropriate step.

saibu Nana Wednesday, 28 September 2011 03:35 PM

at present what is the rule for indians who are visiting srilanka? they do have on arrival visa or they need to apply for a visa in their own country in our foreign mission

Mohamed Wednesday, 28 September 2011 03:18 PM

Another way to prevent internatonal observers and media
who might expose the state of this country.
This move will result in fewer tourists visiting the island and the consequent loss of foreign exchange.
Some "bright idea" from some stupid "advisors" like the plan to pay former Govt. pensioners in oversaes countries in foreign excahge. Now this plan resulted in may pensioners
being not paid their due pension, as the country has not enough foreign resorces.

Kevin Wednesday, 28 September 2011 03:15 PM

In fact it is good for India too, since a recent statement of Indian Home Minister said that certain anti-India forces were taking advantage of this facility to use Srilanka as a transit point to India.

Lankan Wednesday, 28 September 2011 02:57 PM

Excellent!!!!
What a move to reduce tourist numbers as they now have to pay $50 each
How can USA will allow entry visa ? The whole Sri Lanka will be in the USA next day.

Konde Bendapucheenaa Wednesday, 28 September 2011 02:50 PM

Visas should be on reciprocal basis only.Well Done

rajthas Wednesday, 28 September 2011 02:46 PM

no good.

Milinda Wednesday, 28 September 2011 02:41 PM

Good job

malik Wednesday, 28 September 2011 02:40 PM

Tourist coming here to visit the country not to work here and get the money to there home land.But Lots of Sri Lanka go out to make money and send money to mother land.You see lot of people like go out of Sri Lanka because of the poor people but the country is rich.
Lot of people in Sri Lanka they don't care about human rights if they do so it will be the best country to be so far because we do have very nice people in my country.

lionheart Wednesday, 28 September 2011 02:30 PM

The Indians have had wayyyy tooo much easy access to SL. Good move. Reminds me the agony to get a visa to India.

kolla Wednesday, 28 September 2011 02:07 PM

Excellent !!!! that's how it should be ...

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SL to scrap visa-on-arrival for Indians, others

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