SL grapples its way to allow tourists to enter

• Visa services resume via Sri Lankan missions overseas amid online platform deactivation post Supreme Court directive 
• Tourists from eligible countries, including India, can obtain a visa on arrival at the port of entry in Sri Lanka

Post-Supreme Court Friday’s ruling to revert to the previous visa processing scheme, the tourism industry appears to be grappling to wear a smile and welcome perplexed visitors

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced the deactivation of the www.srilankaevisa.lk website until further notice.

The Department further informed that efforts are being made to restore the online visa process at the earliest.



During the interim period, tourists from eligible countries including India can obtain a visa on arrival at the port of entry in Sri Lanka.

It said on arrival visas are not available for passport holders of Afghanistan, Syria, Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, North Korea, and Myanmar. However, nationals from the above countries can apply for a visa from the Head Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration through a representative. 

Nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan have the facility to obtain a visa free of charge and may also obtain a visa on arrival at the port of entry.

The tourism industry resumes visa services via Sri Lankan missions overseas amid online platform deactivation

The new directive follows the top tourism and travel industry associations announcing yesterday that leisure and business visa services have resumed through Sri Lankan Missions overseas.

Leading industry bodies, including the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka (ASMET), Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition and Event Organisers (SLAPCEO), Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance, and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association, issued a statement confirming that visitors preferring travel authorisation prior to arrival can contact Sri Lankan Missions in their respective countries.

Visa on arrival facilities remain operational at immigration counters in airport arrivals halls. The Department of Immigration and Emigration expects to restore the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which was operational before mid-April 2024, within the week.