Sri Lanka suspends mandatory ETA requirement for visitors

30 October 2025 07:19 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 7 Bookmark

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Colombo, Oct. 30 (Daily Mirror) - The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced that the previously mandated Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for all short-stay visitors (tourism and business) to Sri Lanka, which was to take effect from 15 October 2025, has been temporarily revoked until further notice.

All ETA services and visa procedures will continue as they were before 15 October 2025.

The department reminded travelers to follow immigration rules to avoid penalties, imprisonment, or legal issues, including illegal entry, misuse of visas, or forgery of travel documents.

Comments - 7

Governments have a duty to protect citizens Thursday, 30 October 2025 08:40 PM

Why? Who does it benefit? Not the national security or sovereignty of Sri Lanka! Opening our borders to all and sundry with a token reminder for them to behave themselves is an absolute joke! We all know, as do all foreigners, that our authorities do nothing to regulate illegal immigrants, businesses and bogus tourists.

3 9

Silva Thursday, 30 October 2025 08:41 PM

How many times a year do you change entry rules? Don't you have other problems to solve? Leave this issue alone.

0 11

Eyes wide open Thursday, 30 October 2025 08:44 PM

What is the reason given by all concerned? Anyone knows? This is a serious matter and will open the floodgates to all sorts of nefarious characters! What country does not vet entry of people into their country? Only a stupid one.

2 9

Just saying Thursday, 30 October 2025 08:44 PM

Good way for LTTE to return without notice! Well done

7 7

R Navaratnam Friday, 31 October 2025 03:52 AM

Current Administration: This is no good as professionalism is not shown by the decision makers. If I was one them, I would resign for this flip flop.

2 7

Judge Friday, 31 October 2025 04:59 AM

Why do they make these rules on the run all the time? On one hand, they say there will be free visa for 48 countries, on the other hand they charge for visa. This ETA website has not been updated at all and the fee stricture displayed there is still the very old structure from years ago. Such a lethargic and an inefficient country. If it needs to attract visitors, it first must work for 5mns and fix these simple things.

0 14

Reflects very badly on the country! Friday, 31 October 2025 08:31 PM

No clear strategy! No careful thinking about the pros and cons of such an action. Far better to analyse and follow through without swinging like a pendulum!

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