Foreign tourists are to be charged for on-arrival visas, a top immigration official said yesterday – but the Tourism Ministry believes the timing is not right.
Immigration and Emigration Controller P.B. Abeykoon told the Sunday Times the proposal had been passed by Parliament in 2007 but not implemented due to the war situation.
According to the 2007 proposal, a tourist was to be asked to pay US$10 US for a one-month visa, but a new fee has not been finalized.
Mr. Abyekoon said Sri Lanka was one of the few countries that did not charge tourists for visas.
Tourism Ministry Secretary George Michael said the ministry had not yet been consulted on this fee and the timing of its implementation would be important for the industry.
He said it would be more beneficial for the industry if the fee was imposed after the tourism industry was stabilised. “Things are improving. So it’s better to give the tourists a little breathing space to encourage them to come to Sri Lanka,” he said.
Mr. Michael said there was a 28 percent increase in tourist arrival last month in comparison to July 2008.
Internal Administration Ministry Secretary U. Vidanapathirana said he was unaware of moves to implement such proposals. |
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