In response to significant delays at the Immigration counters of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Sri Lankan government has swiftly implemented visa-on-arrival access for nationals from 38 countries, effective immediately. This initiative, led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in a decisive move to alleviate the current situation.
Initially, the Cabinet had approved free visas for 35 countries starting 1 October. However, over the past weekend, chaotic scenes at BIA and concerns raised by the travel and tourism industry, as exclusively reported by the Daily FT, accelerated the need for action. The delays were estimated to have discouraged around 40,000 potential visitors in the past month, resulting in an economic loss of approximately $120 million.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry confirmed the Cabinet’s decision, stating, “In response to a proposal by the President, who is also the Tourism Minister, the Cabinet approved a Singapore-style visa on arrival, free of charge, with immediate effect. The necessary directives will be issued to operationalize this new initiative.”
Former Tourism Minister and current Presidential Advisor on Tourism, Harin Fernando, further explained, “There will be no cost nor the need for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Visitors from these 38 countries can now receive a visa on arrival, just as Singapore does.”
This policy change is expected to reduce congestion at immigration counters and improve the overall experience for travelers. Recent reports of long queues and poor service had led to a significant drop in tourist arrivals, with daily numbers falling from 6,000 to 2,000 since 18 August. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, this decline is likely to affect overall tourist arrivals for August, with a drop expected compared to July's total of 187,810 visitors.
Earlier, on 21 August, the Cabinet announced a major tourism initiative offering 30-day visas free of charge for six months to nationals of 35 countries, effective 1 October. This list included countries such as India, China, the UK, Germany, and Australia. With the latest decision, the government has expanded this benefit to three additional countries and has moved the implementation timeline forward.
The travel and tourism industry has welcomed the government’s swift action, recognizing it as a crucial step to enhance Sri Lanka’s appeal as a premier holiday destination. Industry stakeholders believe this move will help revitalize the sector, which has faced challenges following the outsourcing of visa processing to foreign companies earlier this year—a decision that was met with legal challenges and criticism. The Supreme Court has since ordered a return to the previous system managed by SLT-Mobitel, though delays in the transition have caused confusion among tourists and further issues at BIA.
As Sri Lanka continues to work through these challenges, the government remains committed to boosting tourism and ensuring a smooth, welcoming experience for all visitors.
Author - Usemee.lk