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.
Mr. Jauffer noted that since there was close monitoring of the ETA system no complaints were received and that it was being carried out without any problems.The new ETA system was launched alongside the new visa regulation that was introduced in October last year initially facing opposition because of the high processing fee of US $50 in addition to fees for those on transit and for children.
While these measures have been revised with the visa processing fee now brought down to US$10 for SAARC countries and US$20 for non-SAARC countries, authorities have also had to deal with problems faced by tour operators attempting to use the new ETA system.
This came about mainly due to the intervention of the Indian government that said Sri Lanka needs to consider providing a special rate for SAARC nations. |
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