On-line visa, speedy system to woo tourists

By Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

"The on-line visa system is a huge advantage to woo tourists to Sri Lanka, especially from countries such as China which do not allow its citizens to leave the country without an exit permit" said Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Chulananda Perera. He said that the new system was successful as a large number of tourists visit the country on the on-line visa system.

The on-line visa system known as the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) was launched last year by the Department of Immigration and Emigration to issue on-line visas to visitors from 78 countries. "Visiting Sri Lanka is no longer a cumbersome process as travellers could get a Sri Lankan tourist visa within 24 hours", Perera said.

Hassle free and speedy travel procedures are vital, if Sri Lanka is to reach its tourist arrival target, tourism industry experts believe.

An ETA could be obtained by applicants themselves, a third party, a registered agent and Sri Lankan Embassies overseas. Those attending seminars, sports events, business delegations and government sponsored functions are exempted from the administrative fee levied for the issuance of visas.

Tourists from the Maldives and Singapore are provided 'visa on arrival' in reciprocation to the same facilities offered to Sri Lankan visitors.

Perera said that the move to link Sri Lanka's Immigration Department data base with Interpol was a timely intervention to strengthen border security and curb illegal immigration and emigration.

The Immigration and Emigration Department teamed up with Interpol, the world's largest international police organisation to launch South Asia's first Integrated Interpol Database Service.

"Information on lost and stolen travel documents and nominal information containing records of international criminals with photographs and finger prints are stored in the system" the Controller General said.

The Department could link with the data base of Interpol and obtain information on all individuals entering and leaving the country. The project to prevent illegal immigration and emigration is being jointly implemented by the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Sri Lanka Police.