Harin backs doing away with visas altogether for tourists

4 May 2024 03:00 am - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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As the Cabinet is currently considering extending free visa travel to tourists from 67 countries, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando opined that Sri Lanka should consider doing away with visa altogether for tourists.

“Travelling should be simple as getting off the plane and getting out,” Fernando told reporters in Colombo yesterday.

In this context, he noted that regulations such as visa are not needed and would facilitate a seamless and hassle-free travel experience to tourists.

Fernando noted that the president has appointed an inter-ministerial secretary committee to formulate a national policy on visa, which is expected to be presented in Parliament after a month’s period.

In a recent interview with Mirror Business, Intrepid Travel Chairman and its Co-Founder Darrell Wade also shared a similar view. He pointed out that the government gathers sufficient information by connecting to with the airline global distribution systems (GDS) to identify people who are coming into the country.

“You only need to connect with the airline GDS; then you have enough information and the people can be stamped in for two or four weeks or whatever the government wants (at the point of arrival),” he said.

According to him, e-visas are still a friction point, although it’s an improvement.

SLAITO Vice President Bobby Jordan Hansen addressing a press conference in Colombo, expressed concerns on the processing time period, privacy issues and high costs affiliated to Sri Lanka’s new e-visa process.

“Earlier, you could get a visa on the same day; now, they say it’s a minimum of three days. Even if you don’t put your photograph correctly, they will reject your visa. There’s lot of invasion of privacy (with the question listed on the online application),” she said.

Hansen also highlighted that the families planning to visit Sri Lanka are now likely to look at alternative and less costly destinations, such as Thailand and Vietnam, due to high visa fees.

“Earlier, visa were free for children below certain age. Now, even a 10-year-old child has to pay for visa. Even for free visa, US $ 25 fee is applicable now.

Let’s say a family of four coming from Scandinavia; they have to pay US $ 500 at the outset, before putting any money down on anything else. In addition, I must say there’s US $ 60 fee in our ticket as the embarkation fee,” she added. (NF)

Comments - 25

sam Saturday, 04 May 2024 08:28 AM

Visa exemption may be allowed in the case of first world countries, not to all.

M Fernando Saturday, 04 May 2024 04:47 PM

Visa Reciprocity should be implemented. But cost should be reasonable.

Inshi Saturday, 04 May 2024 08:39 AM

Shouldn't the charges be reciprocal? We pay to get our visas to travel to foreign countries and it should not be any different for them. Our country has so much to offer and should not be sold cheaply. Kindly work on better facilities provided to them at all the tourist attractions.

Unfortunately Bankrupt Status Has It’s Consequences Saturday, 04 May 2024 12:44 PM

In the eyes of the world, SL is considered Bankrupt due to the “Debt Trap” except politicians are saying otherwise. With 3rd world class status, visa’s are required to visit developing or developed nations to control the influx. In the case of SL, tourism is needed badly similarly with other Asian destinations. If things are not made seamless but complicated and expensive, other waiting Asian countries are offering value for money packages. Just look at the ASEAN countries promoting themselves vigorously to capture the tourist $!

Nilmini Welivita Saturday, 04 May 2024 08:52 AM

The guilt is surfacing for sleaze bag Harin, soon you will have to face the consequences of your actions.

The country will not benefit, that is for sure. Saturday, 04 May 2024 08:55 AM

"Processing time period, privacy issues and high costs affiliated to Sri Lanka’s new e-visa process." All these adverse effects only provide $25/- to the foreign agent! Do we need to suffer loss of tourist revenue due one or two person's greed for money. The country will not benefit, that is for sure.

Harin “sleazy” Fernando Saturday, 04 May 2024 08:57 AM

Yeah coming out with vague statements that will never eventuate to hide his involvement in this crime.

sumo Saturday, 04 May 2024 09:16 AM

Talk is cheap. Fernando is damned good at that, but he does f all. Tourists and expats will go elsewhere like Thailand, Vietnam, Maldives etc. Whoever come up with the idea to increase visa fees needs their heads examined. Then again most of the 225 thieves in the lake need that done anyway.

Sokrates Saturday, 04 May 2024 09:40 AM

This is the only way for Sri Lanka, which relies on tourism, to provide visa-free access to Sri Lanka for tourists from nearly all countries. A 3 month visa with multiple entry would be best. Now it will be seen who has more power, Felon Tiran Alles or Harin Fernando. Unfortunately, criminals usually prevail in this country.

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 04 May 2024 09:47 AM

Not a bad idea. But charge at least USD 20.

Gembaa Saturday, 04 May 2024 11:29 AM

Talk pretty. Act shitty. Say this to Alles.

ANNECUNT Saturday, 04 May 2024 12:33 PM

let the tourists rum the country better then we do not have to pay for the 225 uneducated dumb idiots

jude Saturday, 04 May 2024 02:30 PM

Charge $50 for 30 day visa. $100 for 90 day visa. This is reasonable to 99% of tourists. If in doubt, do a survey at the airport. That's what they look for. If the fee is reasonable. They are not looking for a free entry.

DJ Saturday, 04 May 2024 02:51 PM

Yes do that. All my friends are going to Thailand instead of sri Lankan

Anne Feszczur Saturday, 04 May 2024 04:59 PM

Too late. My Aussie friends are off to Malaysia, Bali, Vietnam, Dubai, Singapore etcc... What's with this Fernando. Think there's another clown with same Surname from Kurunegala side!!

Kd Saturday, 04 May 2024 05:46 PM

Most Asian countries charge no zero visa for 30 days.

ignatius Sunday, 05 May 2024 04:27 AM

You want Tourist. Charge a reasonable fee. Just imagine me coming to SRI Lanka. 4 adults and 4 kids. I would rather go to BALI.

Suda Harry Sunday, 05 May 2024 05:53 AM

in Malaysia for British passport holders for free 3 month visa and much safer and tourist friendly country.

Rex Jarkie Sunday, 05 May 2024 08:09 AM

who was making quick bucK (dollar)

Sambo Sunday, 05 May 2024 08:12 AM

Doing away altogether with visa charges is government decisions, how ever every person entering and departing the country has to be registered local authorities. If not you will find all types of criminals arriving and departing from the country. This data must be kept secure and not made a business of.

wsw Sunday, 05 May 2024 08:46 AM

What a shemozzle, these inept politicians, arrogantly make arbitrary decisions without consulting the experts, dragging all of us to be the laughing stock of the outside world, sad indictment of affairs in this country.

Shifaz Sunday, 05 May 2024 09:37 AM

Why we cannot follow Singapore ?

HARIN YOU ARE NOTHING BUT SCUM AND SHOULD BE WIPED OUT OF POLITICS AND MAY YOU ROT IN HELL Sunday, 05 May 2024 03:01 PM

WHAT A JOKE!!! EVEN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES HAVE A VISA CHARGE AND STRICT CONDITIONS OF ENTRY AND EXIT, TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN MONITOR TOURISTS AND CONTACT THEM AND OR ASSIST THEM IN ANY EMERGENCIES. WE A COUNTRY BROUGHT TO ITS KNEES COULD AT LEAST GET SOME MONEY INTO THE COUNTRY TO BOOST THE ECONOMY, INSTEAD THIS CRAZY IDEA OF FREE VISAS TO MAN WOMAN AND CHILD IS THE MOST IDIOTIC SUGGESTION I HAVE HEARD.END RESULT ALL THE CRIMINALS WILL ARRIVE AND START OPERATING FROM WITHIN THE COUNTRY AND TURN OUR COUNTRY INTO A DEN FOR CRIMINALS, WHO WILL GO INTO HIDING AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR AUTHORITIES TO LOCATE THEM, WITH ONLY AN INCOMING CONFIRMATION THE TOURIST HAS ARRIVED INTO THE COUNTRY. WATCH FOR THE OUTCOME OF THIS MOST IDIOTIC DECISION, IF IT IS LEGALISED.

shifaz Sunday, 05 May 2024 08:33 PM

jokes

Navi Sunday, 05 May 2024 09:38 PM

Bull Shit.... Cabinet approval ? We are killing the Geese that lay the Golden Eggs. Still robbing

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Harin backs doing away with visas altogether for tourists

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