On arrival visa issues, daunting challenge for Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s visa crisis has triggered many concerns for foreign visitors as some have been turned away at the airport while there is still absolute confusion faced by visitors over the procedure to enter the country.
After the Supreme Court temporarily suspended the VFS-led online visa process, all travellers to Sri Lanka are now eligible for on-arrival visas, the only way to enter the country as the immigration authorities are yet to restore the old online visa platform, as directed by the Court. There is another process for ‘restricted countries’ where those nationals have to apply to the Immigration Department here through a Sri Lankan representative for a visa.
Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan, Ghana, Nigeria, Camaroon, Ivory Coast, North Korea and Myanmar are on the ‘restricted’ countries list. According to Dharshana Cabraal, Joint Managing Director at Tour Blue, a group of 35 Pakistani visitors have been rejected visas this week.
A group of travellers of six family members from Nepal were rejected on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) several weeks ago as immigration officials had stated on arrival that the group cannot be identified as tourists, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASMET) President Rohan Abeywickrama told The Sunday Times Business.
In fact, he alleged that certain nationals are being ill-treated at the airport by immigration officials as they have the discretionary power to accept or reject those visiting the country.
A communiqué issued by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Nepal to the Foreign Ministry here has requested the smooth processing of visas for travellers from Nepal in future.
In this respect it was stated that according to previous regulations and practices, Nepali citizens cannot obtain on arrival visa. However, some Nepali nationals had already booked hotels and flights for their intended visit to Sri Lanka, on the basis that visas on arrival would be issued to everyone.
But this has resulted in “wasted expenses” for these individuals not only causing financial losses for travellers but also adversely affecting the reputation of Sri Lanka as a welcoming tourist destination.
Meanwhile, authorities at the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) have expressed concern that “all have been kept helpless” as there are many negative consequences from a tourism and economic perspective under the current issuance of visas. Sri Lanka is said to have lost over 20-25,000 tourist arrivals by way of cancellations during the month of August with most being planned visits for the Kandy Perahera.
It is believed that this number could be greater and the destination marketing companies will be able to quantify that, the top official at the SLTDA has stated. “A tourist will not want to go through the hassle and based on the advice of the tour operator or online, will select other destinations.”
In the meantime, it is learnt that there has been an increase in the number of immigration counters at the BIA. In addition, letters continue to be sent to the Immigration Department from the Tourism Ministry regarding the issuance of visas and the problems faced by the industry.
A Cabinet paper has also been approved requesting that 35 countries be issued free visas, according to former Tourism Minister and current Presidential Advisor Harin Fernando, with this to be effective from October 1.
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