The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has approved regulations to grant free 30-day electronic tourist visas (ETA) to citizens of 40 selected countries in a move aimed at boosting Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.
The approval was granted during a recent COPF meeting held in Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Harsha de Silva.
According to a statement issued by Parliament, the proposed regulations under the Immigration and Emigration Act will allow eligible foreign nationals to receive free Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permits for a 30-day stay in Sri Lanka.
Officials said the programme is initially proposed for a one-year period, with the possibility of extending it for several more years following review.
The committee also discussed follow-up action related to the Auditor General’s report on Sri Lanka’s electronic visa system tabled in Parliament in 2024.
Immigration officials informed the committee that action would be taken once the relevant reports submitted to Parliament are officially received by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Officials also noted that investigations into the visa system remain ongoing by the police.
The committee was further informed that additional security measures have now been introduced to prevent cyber-related vulnerabilities in the visa application process.
According to officials, visa applicants are now required to provide their date of birth and passport number in addition to the previous reference number when checking application status online.
COPF members also questioned officials regarding foreign tourists allegedly engaging in illegal tourism-related businesses in Sri Lanka.
Officials said such foreign nationals are identified through joint operations conducted with the police during the tourism season, after which their visas are cancelled, and they are deported to their home countries. (Newswire)
