Tourism industry to take to streets over visa crisis

• Threatens to protest in front of Department of Immigration and Emigration
• Asserts only appeal is to reinstate ETA as ordered by the Supreme Court
• Suggests Immigration Controller General “the most powerful person in the country” by defying both Judiciary and Executive orders
• Claims some countries including France and Australia have issued travel advisories against Sri Lanka
• Says country will not be able to achieve even 2 m tourists if situation prevails
• Airlines begun expressing hesitation in boarding passengers bound for Sri Lanka amid visa uncertainties 
• Highlights delay to resolve the matter could lead massive social issue in terms of unemployment and livelihood

SLAITO President  Nishad Wijetunga	THASL President  M. Shantikumar
ASMET President  Rohan Abeywickrema	SLHGA President   Upul Gamage
THASL Past President  Hiran Cooray	SLAITO Vice President  Nalin Jayasundera

By Charumini de Silva

 The tourism industry is at a breaking point, with leaders yesterday warning of imminent street protests if the Government does not reactivate the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, as ordered by the Supreme Court on 2 August.

Six key tourism associations including the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operations (SLAITO), The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL), the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism (ASMET), Tourism Alliance, Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA) and Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference Exhibition Event Organisers (SLAPCEO) expressed their frustration, stating that the Government’s failure to implement the court ruling is putting the entire winter tourist season in jeopardy.

“As per the Supreme Court’s order on 2 August, there is no need to get Parliament approval to reactivate the ETA which was operating prior to 17 April. Our only appeal to the Government at this point is to reinstate the ETA system,” Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Nishad Wijetunga told the journalists.

Speaking to the media, SLAITO President Nishad Wijetunga asserted that no parliamentary approval is required to reinstate the ETA system, which was in place before 17 April.

“Our only appeal to the Government is to immediately reinstate the ETA system,” he urged, adding that relevant service providers of the ETA system including SLT-Mobitel, Informatics Ltd., and Sampath Bank PLC have all expressed readiness to support the reactivation.

Wijetunga criticised the Department of Immigration Controller General for delaying the system’s reactivation, accusing him of offering excuses. “The Controller General only needs to give the green light to reinstate the ETA, but nothing has been done since the 2 August Supreme Court order,” he noted.

THASL President M. Shantikumar said the Controller General is simply making excuses and if he genuinely cared for the tourism industry and the economy, he would not waste time and take actions that tarnish the destination’s reputation.

THASL past President Hiran Cooray also pointed fingers at the Controller General, claiming he has become “the most powerful person in the country” by defying both Judiciary and Executive orders. “Despite the Supreme Court’s directive, this official is dragging his feet and putting the entire industry at risk,” he charged.

Cooray also said all three leading candidates running for the Presidency are reiterating that tourism is one of the most important sectors that are going to lift the economy out of the misery it is in. “But if this is the way the current Government is treating tourism, it is very frustrating. Our industry is in shambles at the moment and it is hurtful because we as a private sector-driven industry have put in a lot of effort to bring the sector to this level after multiple years of challenges,” he explained.

Cooray also warned of severe economic repercussions if foreign Governments issued travel advisories against Sri Lanka due to visa uncertainties.

“The tourism industry is already fragile, and this delay could prompt travel warnings from countries in the EU. Already France and Australia have issued travel advisories against Sri Lanka,” he said.

Wijetunga said that September is the key booking period for winter tourism, particularly for visitors from Western countries. “Prolonged visa delays and uncertainties could lead to widespread cancellations, further undermining the sector’s recovery,” he added.

Wijetunga said the members are putting a lot of pressure on all associations to get to the streets, as we have no other option left. “In the event, there is no solution given by the authorities, we will protest in front of the Department of Immigration and Emigration,” he stressed.

SLAITO Vice President Nalin Jayasundera echoed these concerns, questioning the point of launching the Sri Lanka Tourism Global Campaign after 16 years, if tourists are unable to enter the country.

“We are spending billions on this global promotion, but what is the use, if travellers cannot even get a visa to visit?” he asked.

Jayasundera said if the situation persists, it will be impossible to meet its 2.3 arrivals goal or at least get 2 million tourists by the end of 2024.

Wijetunga also revealed that international airlines have already begun expressing hesitation in boarding passengers bound for Sri Lanka due to doubts over whether tourists will be granted visas upon arrival.

ASMET President Rohan Abeywickrema highlighted that tourists are experiencing average wait times of 2.5 hours at the airport, further straining their travel experience and compounding their frustration.

Cooray further stated that messages urging action have been sent to the President’s office almost every hour, but the issue remains unresolved.

“We have even reached out to the First Lady in desperation because this situation has become an embarrassment not only to the country, but also to the country’s leadership,” he claimed.

Cooray said the matter has been brought to the attention of all authorities, including the President Ranil Wicremesinghe who is also the Tourism and National Policies Minister, former Tourism Minister and now Tourism Adviser to the President Harin Fernando, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Tourism Ministry Secretary Somaratne Vidanapathirana, Immigration Controller Harsha Ilukpitiya, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Priantha Fernando, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Chairman Chalaka Gajabahu and all key officials.

SLHGA representatives Upul Gamage and Eksath Wijeratne stressed that the continued delay could lead to a massive social issue as well. 

“We do certain budgets for our staff for each season. This type of forecasting going wrong will have mass unemployment and livelihood crises, particularly for seasonal workers,” Gamage added.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara