On-Arrival Visa System Remains Sole Option for Tourists

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Public Security has confirmed that Sri Lanka will continue to operate its on-arrival visa system for tourists, as no alternative has been established to date.

This announcement comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court interim order that invalidated the Council of Ministers’ decision to overhaul the existing online visa service facilitated by foreign companies.

Minister Tiran Alas has underscored the absence of a substitute system following the court’s directive.

The Supreme Court’s order mandates that the visa services adhere to the pre-existing framework until a new system is introduced.

Recently, the Supreme Court issued an interim order suspending the Cabinet of Minister's decision to handover e-visa services to foreign companies.

Accordingly, the Court ordered that visa services be reverted back to the former system that was followed prior to the implementation of the new system.

The interim order suspending the Cabinet of Minister's decision to handover e-visa services to foreign companies, will be effective until the final verdict on the case.

Members of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka, Rauf Hakeem, and M.A. Sumanthiran filed petitions emphasizing the risks posed by the e-visa system.

They argue that this system could potentially expose sensitive national security information, threatening national security.

The petitioners requested an order to cancel the relevant system.

The petitions is scheduled to be taken up on the 4th of October.