Visa on arrival for Indians scrapped

[Skyline]

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Sri Lanka on Thursday withdrew the on-arrival free visa facility for Indian tourists.
It means that Indians planning a trip to Sri Lanka after August should apply for their visas online for a fee or visit Lankan missions with an application. The new system will be implemented within 80 days, WA C
hulananda Perera, Immigration and Emigration Controller General, told the Hindustan Times.

Besides Indian tourists, visitors from 78 other countries will be impacted by the decision.
“Only tourists from Singapore and Maldives, countries which gives on-arrival visas to Lankans, will continue to get the reciprocal facility,’’ Perera added.

For example, Lankans visiting India need to either get a visa from the High Commission of India or apply online for it.
The proposal to set up an online visa system was put up by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and was expectedly given the green-signal by the Lankan Cabinet of ministers on Thursday.

“Foreigners visiting and travelling via Sri Lanka will be able to obtain visas through the website of the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka by personally applying for them on payment of the prescribed fees,’’ a government statement said.

Perera said the visa processing fee was yet to be decided but will be nominal.

“Those who do not have private access to internet facilities, will be able to apply for visa through private agencies to be established for the purpose and also through Sri Lankan Foreign Missions and from the Head Office of the Department of Immigration & Emigration,’’ the statement added.

Perera said applicants will be able to apply to get a visa either within a day or within three days. ``The system will be very easy and data base for each applicant will be maintained online,’’ he added.

Travel or ticketing agents would also be able to apply for the visa on behalf of the tourist.

In August last year, the government had withdrawn the facility but overturned the decision after a clamour of protests from the tourism industry. Tourism is one of the main earners of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka and, which is finally witnessing a revival after decades of civil war. In 2009, more than 85000 Indians visited Lanka; that number went above 1.2 lakh last year.

Perera, however, said tourism will not be affected by the change in system; it will only make it easier for the tourist, he added.

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How Indian media report this lol

[Roybot]

How Indian media report this lol

Whats so funny about it

[Skyline]

Whats so funny about it

Actually this is not only for just India, but Indian media trying to show different image to their people!

[Roybot]

Actually this is not only for just India, but Indian media trying to show different image to their people!

Well the news is for Indian public. If they didn't mention that 78 other countries will be affected by this rule at all, then yes you'd have a point.

[pmukherjee]

It has nothing to do with the media. These things are always reciprocal. If we do not give it to you, we should not expect it from you. Period.

[jha]

Well the news is for Indian public. If they didn't mention that 78 other countries will be affected by this rule at all, then yes you'd have a point.

Forget it..They wont understand..

[Skyline]

Well the news is for Indian public. If they didn't mention that 78 other countries will be affected by this rule at all, then yes you'd have a point.

agreed! I was thinking about the heading.

[Zeluvaa]

Actually this is not only for just India, but Indian media trying to show different image to their people!

It would be a rather long title if they listed all 78 countries there, don't you think? Besides as Roy mentioned, it is an Indian newspaper, published in India for Indian audiences with the topic concerning India, what the hell do you expect the title to be?

It would be rather absurd if the title read "Visa scrapped for Emirati people"

Seriously is this so difficult to understand that people must make condescending one line comments?

[illuminatidinesh]

It really does not matter.

Sri Lanka is entitled to do exactly as it desires.

Tourism traffic will only reduce and nothing more!

Mauritius, Seychelles, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore will become preferred destinations.

My friend keeps calling to SriLanka around August, now we have to think about it again. Ya we knew this was coming.
I think U are right .

[Zeeshan360]

It really does not matter.

Sri Lanka is entitled to do exactly as it desires.

Tourism traffic will only reduce and nothing more!

Mauritius, Seychelles, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore will become preferred destinations.

Thailand is waste (India look alike ). Singapore is not for beaches and that stuff .

I prefer Malaysia (mindblowing food ) , Mauritius and Seychelles .

Main income for Srilanka tourism comes from India , let's see how much comes from China as Srilanka is licking Chinese currently

[Zeeshan360]

I really dont know why do Indians actually visit Srilanka .
We have much better places in South India which are very similar to Srilanka .
Indians feel pride in going for international trips

[Tiki Tam Tam]

Could it because historical records begin with the arrival of Vijaya and his 700 followers.

Vijaya was a Vangan (now Bengal, India) prince, the eldest son of King Sinhabahu.

[GORKHALI]

Sri Lanka should secure itself against infiltration of indian backed tamil terrorists!

Just like in UAE (United Arab Emirates )

[StormShadow]

Just like in UAE (United Arab Emirates )

Now their influence is spreading mate...

[Lankan Ranger]

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Foreigners who are visiting and travelling via Sri Lanka will be able to obtain visas through the Immigration Department website by personally applying for them on payment of the prescribed fees.

“Only tourists from Singapore and Maldives, countries which gives on-arrival visas to Sri Lankans, will continue to get the reciprocal facility,’’ Perera added.

Sri Lanka withdrew's the on-arrival free visa facility.

78 countries will be impacted by the decision.