V r doing gr8 Sunday, 31 December 2023 09:39 AM

So, 277 in average arrived in an hour. Highly suspicious figures, so only forigners have arrived in those flights, no Sri Lankans it seems.

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Allow Tourists Longer Visa Application Sunday, 31 December 2023 09:44 AM

Allow longer visa approvals at the initial stage. SL embassy will advise to do it online just before the current visa’s expiration. Most who want to extend their stay need to submit a new extension application on line. Then, the airline ticket needs to be extended which incurs cost or a brand new ticket if it can’t be extended coz likely it’s a discounted ticket.

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From Down Under Sunday, 31 December 2023 10:13 AM

Don’t get too excited. Burghers, Tamils and Sinhalese returning for Christmas to light fireworks .

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A. Kerenina Sunday, 31 December 2023 11:01 AM

All happy peoples are alike; each unhappy person is unhappy in its own way. May be, this universal concept, could apply to the way of thinking of our people, regarding the recent announcement of positive trend in our tourism industry.

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Jude Sunday, 31 December 2023 11:21 AM

Hello, they're NOT tourists, mostly Diaspora coming back home for holiday season!!

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Shehan Moses Sunday, 31 December 2023 03:06 PM

SL foreign passport holders visiting SL extended family for Xmas

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Duminda Sunday, 31 December 2023 03:20 PM

This govt can assure the safety of visotors???.

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Patriot Sunday, 31 December 2023 05:48 PM

2 lakhs for 1 month. Please check before you give a figure.tell the truth i.e.correct amount.nothing is lost.pls dont lie.

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Sambo Sunday, 31 December 2023 07:35 PM

Please don't blame the minister of tourism. He has performed his duties so well that we have got 200,000 tourists to this country. A record.

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DJ Sunday, 31 December 2023 09:55 PM

We will go to Kenya, no more visa fees from next year. Bravo to Kenya.

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Suranga Hettiarachchi Sunday, 31 December 2023 10:23 PM

I am SRL born foreign passport holder. I got a 30-day visa (ETA) for US$55 to visit my father and sister. I flew to SRL on Dec 4th from London on UL506. I entered the country without any hassle. I left SRL on Dec 18th by TK731. There is nothing wrong with considering me a tourist under the given criteria. Half of my flight from LHR to CMB were Caucasian and the flight from CMB to IST were 90% Caucasian. Both flights were full! I visit every year, I visited twice in 2022 and planes were EMPTY in 2022, not in 2023! So, I think we should be happy to see tourists and ex-pats arriving because they contribute to SRL economy when it needs foreign exchange.

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Sevalan Harinas Monday, 01 January 2024 09:47 AM

Check these foreign backpackers for Drug Trafficking! They are the most dangerous group!

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Jeanne Monday, 01 January 2024 11:07 AM

@ Suranga : You are technically classified as a Sri Lankan expat returning temporarily for a holiday to visit family and friends. It's noble of you to visit and help our economy. How very condescending. Enjoy your stay here and don't let the door hit you on your way back to the UK.

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Jeanne Monday, 01 January 2024 07:14 PM

@Foreign : Your point being? And how does this clarify/classify Sri Lankan expats?

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Samantha Monday, 01 January 2024 11:11 PM

Tourist arrival is good. But infrastructure and facilities, sanitary services health and safety is not provided upto standard. Their safety and easy access to places must be guaranteed. Local resources must be utilized to film potential with concept of protecting local . Harin Fernando must bring new laws and adequate financial investment to achieve this target.

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