Sri Lanka’s inbound tour operators have failed to persuade the Sri Lankan government to ditch a new online visa application process.
Sri Lanka will withdraw the visa-on-arrival (VOA) facility currently extended to citizens of 79 countries, starting September 30, replacing it with an online visa application.
The VOA will still be available to countries that offer a reciprocal privilege to Sri Lankan nationals, including Singapore and the Maldives.
Sri Lanka has been granting a 30-day VOA to Western tourists, as well as those from developed nations, since the 1970s.
The Sri Lankan tourism and hospitality industry has been opposing the proposed measures, fearing a drop in tourist arrivals.
Immigration authorities said visitors could apply and pay for visas online and expect to receive them within one to three days.
