On-arrival visas popular with foreign tourists
The new visa processing system implemented from January 1 this year has found that there were a ‘considerable’ number of visitors obtaining on-arrival visas. Immigration Controller Chulananda Perera told the Sunday Times that it had been observed that a considerable number of applicants preferred to obtain on-arrival visas.
In this respect, there are currently three counters provided at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with adequate number of officers in place to assist visitors to the country, he said adding that the new system was successful.
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Managing Director Rumy Jauffer said the system was successful and would take only five minutes for processing. The tourism industry officials held a meeting with immigration authorities on Thursday following which it was ascertained that there had been no problem in the use of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, he said.