Nominal visa fee for SAARC countries

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Sri Lanka will introduce the ‘visa on arrival’ system in different tiers from January 1, 2012, said Minister of Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa. The Minister told ‘Daily News Business’ that for both the Maldivian and Singaporean nationals there would be no visa fee and they would be issued visa on arrival. This decision was taken on a reciprocal basis. “Honouring the strong ties the SAARC countries have, a nominal fee would be charged from nationals of these countries,” he explained.

The government is likely to impose a US $ 50 fee for most of the other countries. “However we are yet to decide on this as the government is not keen on the ‘fee’ and making money, but want to make sure that there is a proper system in place,” the Minister said currently the system on a trial run.

The fee when charged would be diverted back to the Treasury though the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

He said that Visa procedures have being made simple and a visa could be obtained online from a lap top or from home. “It can even be obtained by sending a SMS.”

He also said that online Visa would also help countries who need exit visa to travel. The minister said that they have also taken a policy decision to provide land in commercial areas for development on a long term lease and the Chinese company CATIK too would be given land in a new area in Colombo.

He said that the government with the ending of the war has turned around a country which was on a negative economic growth to a positive one and today it is an investment paradise. “We must understand that this healthy trend would not last forever and this is the time to woo investors,” he said.

He disclosed that several investors from Oman are keen to invest in Sri Lanka along with several world famous hotel brands in addition several investors are keen in investing in Jaffna.

Minister also outlined plans of a new act which would empower the government to mediate and turn around loss making institutions and companies profitable. Commenting on the Stock market he said that visiting the investor day last Saturday gave him an insight of the market and he went there to learn as he does not have shares in the market. He also squashed rumours that there were any controversies in it.

Commenting on the on going major infrastructure projects, he said that the country can sustain them. “One must not only look at the loans the country has taken but should also study the asset wealth of these investments,” he added.

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