Sri Lanka has revived plans to scrap the visa on arrival for foreigners, except Maldivians and Singaporeans, and will launch an on-line visa application system, officials said Friday.
The government was to discontinue granting landing permits from October 1, but the scheme was put on hold following objections from the tourism industry. However, the authorities will now implement the system soon, officials said.
An immigration department source said the tourism industry had argued that foreign holidaymakers would be discouraged from visiting if they have to go to a Sri Lankan embassy for a visa before travelling.
channelnewsasia
Indian tourists will soon have to apply online to get their Sri Lankan visas and not get it on arrival as they currently do. Sri Lanka has in-principle decided to withdraw the visa-on-arrival facility except for countries which reciprocates. Maldives and Singapore are the only two countries where Lankans get visas on arrival.
hindustantimes
The government was to discontinue granting landing permits from October 1, but the scheme was put on hold following objections from the tourism industry. However, the authorities will now implement the system soon, officials said.
An immigration department source said the tourism industry had argued that foreign holidaymakers would be discouraged from visiting if they have to go to a Sri Lankan embassy for a visa before travelling.
channelnewsasia
Indian tourists will soon have to apply online to get their Sri Lankan visas and not get it on arrival as they currently do. Sri Lanka has in-principle decided to withdraw the visa-on-arrival facility except for countries which reciprocates. Maldives and Singapore are the only two countries where Lankans get visas on arrival.
hindustantimes
