Visa on arrival expansion plan on hold

Friday, 26 April 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In response to security concerns Tourism Ministry suspends plan to expand visa on arrival to 39 countries

The Visa on Arrival program for 39 countries, which was to be rolled out from 1 May has been put on hold in response to security concerns, the Tourism Ministry said in a statement yesterday.

Visa to enter Sri Lanka was to be granted to citizens of 39 countries on arrival from 1 May on gratis basis as per a Cabinet decision earlier this month.

However, owing to the current security situation following the terror attacks on Easter Sunday, the Government has decided to put the program on hold until further notice.

“Although arrangements were in place to issue visa on arrival for citizens of 39 countries, we have now decided to hold it for the time being in consideration of the current security situation. Investigations have revealed foreign links to the attacks and we don’t want this facility to be abused,” Tourism, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga was quoted as saying in the statement.

The Visa on Arrival pilot program was part of a larger initiative to increase tourist arrivals to the country during the six month off-season period from May to October.