Multiple visas for genuine investors

Suraj A Bandara

The Government will issue Multiple Visa for investors and businessmen provided that they can prove that they are required to visit Sri Lanka several times for investments. The Multiple Visa will be issued as an alternative to the tourist visa being issued for all immigrants.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said this Multiple Visa will only be issued after scrutinizing the recommendations given by the embassies representing the countries of these applicants.

This visa will be issued to encourage foreign investors who have already begun businesses or expect to embark on investments in Sri Lanka, he said at a workshop jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and the Netherlands CBI institution for their trade officers at the Jaic Hilton Hotel, Colombo.

This workshop will be held until November 27.

The Minister said investors visiting this country frequently for either business or investments use tourist visas for a long period.

They had to give false information to visit the island.

It not only leaves a bad impression of the country concerned but also gives such individuals a bad name, he said.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa is very keen to help investors and settle their problems regarding investments. The Budget also aims to increase foreign investments in the country. The President proposed several positive suggestions that will be favorable for all investors,” he said. “We will implement all positive proposals spelt out in the Budget soon,” the Minster said. Industries and Trade Minister Rishad Badiudeen, Ministry Secretary Thilak Collure, Sri Lanka Export Development Board Chairman Janaka Rathnayake and Tourist Board Chairman Dr Nalaka Godahewa also attended the event.