Visa on arrival put on hold

The government has put on hold the visa on arrival programme until further notice, due to security concerns following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. The visa on arrival programme was to be rolled out on May 1.

Visa to enter Sri Lanka was to be granted to citizens of 39 countries on arrival in the country from May 1 on gratis basis as per a Cabinet decision earlier this month. 

“Although arrangements were in place to issue visa on arrival for citizens of 39 countries, we have now decided to hold it for the time being taking into consideration the current security situation. 

“Investigations have revealed foreign links to the attacks, and we don’t want this facility to be abused,” Tourism, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga said.
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.

Britain warns against traveling to Sri Lanka

(London) REUTERS: Britain said terrorists were likely to try to carry out further attacks in Sri Lanka, and warned its nationals to avoid the country unless it was absolutely necessary following the Easter Sunday bombings that killed 359 people. The British Foreign Office said future attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.

“Following the horrific attacks on Easter Sunday, and the ongoing Sri Lankan security operation, I have decided to update the travel advice to British nationals to Sri Lanka to advise against all but essential travel,” Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said.

“We will keep this decision under close and constant review.” In its updated travel advice it added: “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Sri Lanka.”

Most of the victims in Sunday’s attacks were Sri Lankans, although authorities have said at least 38 foreigners were killed, many of them tourists sitting down to breakfast at top-end hotels when the bombers struck. They included eight British people.

The Foreign Office advised any Britons in Sri Lanka to follow the advice of local security authorities, to keep a low profile and avoid crowded public places, and to avoid traveling during periods of curfew.