The visa on arrival programme which was to be rolled out on May 1 has been put on hold in response to security concerns.
Visas to enter Sri Lanka were to be granted to citizens of 39 countries on arrival in the country from May 1, 2019 on gratis basis as per a Cabinet decision earlier this month. However owing to the current security situation following the terror attacks on Easter Sunday, the government has decided to put the programme on hold until further notice, a statement from the Tourism Development Ministry said.
“ Investigations have revealed foreign links to the attacks and we don’t want this facility to be abused,” noted Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga was quoted as saying
The visa on arrival pilot programme was part of a larger initiative to increase tourist arrivals to the country during the six month off-season period from May to October.
Ajith Gallage, the owner of a Bird Park in Nagarawawa, Hambantota, has been remanded over allegations of concealing illegally imported motorcycles, in a warehouse owned by him.
A passenger attempting to smuggle the largest quantity of gold of 35 kilo grams was arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today, a senior official said.
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