29 August 2010

Sri Lanka Continues to Grant Visa on Arrival to Tourists

28th August 2010, www.emirates247.com

Sri Lanka on Saturday suspended plans to scrap on-arrival visas for most nationals, including visitors from UAE.

The government had announced it was withdrawing the landing endorsements from September 30 in a move widely seen as potentially damaging to the island's tourism industry, which is recovering from 37 years of ethnic conflict.

"Notice is hereby given that the earlier public notice on 'Withdrawal of on-arrival visa facility' be treated as withdrawn until further notice," immigration controller W.A.C. Perera said in a statement posted on his website.

There was no further comment from the government.

Earlier a statement said tourists from the UAE, as well as 79 other countries will not get visas on arrival in Sri Lanka from September 30 onwards.

On Friday, the island’s Department of Immigration and Emigration announced that it was withdrawing the visa-on-arrival facility for tourists for several countries, including India, UK, USA, China, Japan and a host of European nations.

It is from the Middle East and West Asian countries that Sri Lanka gets its chunk of tourists.

"Only citizens from Singapore and Maldives will continue to get their visas on arrival as our citizens are extended the same facility by them," RMS Sarath Kumara, deputy immigration controller, was quoted as saying.

More Info:
Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration : Visa on Arrival

Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration : Schedule 'A' - Countries Eligible for 30 Day Visa on Arrival at the Port of Entry in Sri Lanka

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