The Cabinet has approved granting tourist visas for up to 180 days to tourists who obtain Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for the purpose of touring Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Tourism announced today.
Issuing a statement, the Ministry said the measure has been taken in view of rebuilding and promoting the tourism industry.
Thereby, tourists who obtain single entry visas are now being permitted to stay up to 270 days in Sri Lanka, which period will be valid for only a single entry.
The tourists who visit the country after obtaining visas under the multiple entries category for ninety days (90) will now be issued visas valid for one year at once, as the Cabinet of Ministers has approved such a proposal as well.
Upon discussing the Cabinet proposal presented by the Minister of Tourism on the suitability of issuing visas at once for a longer period, the President and Minister of Defence presented a cabinet paper to the same effect, which was approved by the Cabinet.
The Tourism Ministry said world-renowned all-rounder cricketer and former Sri Lanka cricket captain Sanath Jayasuriya was appointed as the Brand Ambassador for Sri Lanka Tourism for the South Asian region.
The appointment has been made in view of presenting the program to attract tourists from around the world, as he has been a flag bearer of the country’s reputation for many years, and because of his worldwide fan following and undisputed recognition.
The Minister of Tourism has appointed an advisory committee in view of the progress of the tourism industry, and the specialty is that the said advisory committee is comprised of veterans of various fields.
The Tourism Ministry further said it is indeed a pleasure to have obtained support for the present advisory committee from veterans representing various fields.
Although this committee is comprised of 22 representatives, official authority vests with 11 members, while the rest of them take part in an observatory capacity. This committee intends to work on many subjects that impact the field of tourism, including drafting new legislation governing the tourism industry. (NewsWire)
