Sri Lanka brings back visa-on-arrival facility

Ease of entry into Sri Lanka is returning, with visa-on-arrival service being reinstated on February 8 following a long suspension since early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

State-owned Sri Lanka Tourism said the move would help tourists who “experience difficulties when obtaining the online ETA (electronic travel authorisation) due to the time constraints of arranging their journey to Sri Lanka”.

Sri Lanka ends suspension of her visa-on-arrival facility, a move the trade expects to aid tourism recovery; Galle Fort pictured

Inbound players in the destination expects the return of visa-on-arrival to boost arrivals, as it eases entry procedures.

Dilip Mudadeniya, head of branding at John Keells Holdings, which has a string of resorts in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, said travellers would choose destinations that offer easy access.

The move would improve arrivals from India in particular, Sri Lanka Tourism chairperson Kimarli Fernando told a weekend newspaper.

India was Sri Lanka’s top source market for arrivals in 2021, contributing 56,268 visitors. The destination’s total for the year was 194,495.

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