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Sri Lanka plans to introduce free on-arrival visas for tourists from 38 countries, including India, but this will only be possible in October after parliamentary approval, according to Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles. He mentioned that a new gazette requiring parliamentary consent is necessary for the change.
The tourism industry in Sri Lanka has been vocal about the delays faced by travellers at Colombo International Airport. Since April, a foreign company has been handling on-arrival visas, leading to long wait times. The industry is pushing for a return to the previous system.
Parliamentary Approval Needed
Last week, Harin Fernando, the presidential advisor on tourism, stated that the scheme was set to be implemented immediately following Cabinet approval. However, the Parliament will not convene before the September 21 presidential election. This delay has frustrated many in the tourism sector.
Alles noted that increasing the number of counters at the airport is one measure taken to reduce waiting times. Despite these efforts, reverting to the old system will take time due to procedural requirements.
Supreme Court Intervention
In response to complaints about delays, the Supreme Court ordered the Immigration Department to halt the private operation and manage visa services themselves. This decision aims to address issues caused by outsourcing visa issuance.
The tourism industry has been advocating for an immediate end to these delays. They argue that travellers are forced to spend hours at immigration before being allowed entry into Sri Lanka. The industry's demand is clear: they want a swift return to the pre-April visa system.
The conclusion of this process hinges on parliamentary approval and subsequent implementation of the new gazette. Until then, tourists and industry stakeholders must navigate existing challenges while awaiting improvements in visa processing times.
