Following the Daily FT exposure yesterday of severe delays at the Immigration counters at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Government has decided to grant visa on arrival to nationals from 38 countries, with immediate effect.
The latest move, spearheaded by President Ranil Wickrem-esinghe was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting yesterday. Previously the Cabinet decided to grant free of charge visas for 35 nationals only from 1 October. However scenes of chaos, agony and delays at Immigration counters at BIA over the weekend and travel and tourism industry expressing serious concern as exclusively reported by the Daily FT yesterday apparently got authorities into action and expedite a solution.
Industry feedback suggested that Sri Lanka may have discouraged around 40,000 potential visitors last month alone, reflecting an estimated economic loss of $ 120 million. (https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Tourism-industry-hit-by-immigration-delays-and-inefficiencies/44-766274).
Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry yesterday confirmed the Cabinet move. “In response to a proposal by the President who is also the Tourism Minister, the Cabinet approved the Singapore-style visa on arrival and without any charge with immediate effect. The President will issue necessary directives to operationalise the new move,” Sabry told the Daily FT.
Separately former Tourism Minister and now a Presidential advisor to the President on the subject, Harin Fernando told the Daily FT that there will be, “No cost nor ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) process. Visitors from 38 countries can get a visa on arrival like Singapore does it.”
He added the move will help ease congestion at Immigration counters.
The policy change comes amid reports of long queues and poor service at visa on-arrival counters, which have led to a sharp decline in daily tourist arrivals and a significant economic loss. According to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority data, since 18 August daily arrivals have dropped to 2,000 from 6,000 previously.
On 21 August, the Cabinet of Ministers already announced a major initiative to boost tourism by offering 30-day visas free-of-charge for six months to nationals from 35 countries, starting from 1 October. The 35 countries included in the new free visa initiative are; India, China, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, France, the US, Canada, Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and New Zealand.
With the latest decision, the Government has expanded this benefit to three additional countries and advanced the implementation timeline from 1 October to immediate rollout.
Industry stakeholders welcomed the Government’s move saying it will enhance Sri Lanka’s appeal as a holiday destination and help revitalise the sector.
In the first 25 days of August tourist arrivals amounted to 143,622 and the month is likely to show a dip in comparison to the July figure of 187,810. The year to date arrivals stood at 1.34 million.
Travel and tourism industry has had distressing times since the Government in mid-this year decided to outsource visa processing to a consortium of foreign companies, a move which has come under strong criticism and legally challenged. The Supreme Court in early August ordered the authorities to revert to the previous system handled by SLT-Mobitel until a final determination on the cases. To date the Department of Immigration and Emigration hadn’t been able to ensure smooth transactions to the previous status quo with the delay being the reason for confusion among tourists and chaos at the BIA.
