Issuing visas:
Proposal to reduce admn. fee
Dharma Sri Abeyratne and Rasika Somaratne
The Department of Immigration and Emigration will take steps to
reduce the administration fee for issuing visas to visitors from all
countries.
According to Immigration and Emigration Controller Chulananda Perera,
the relevant proposal for reducing administration fee has already been
submitted to the Finance Ministry Secretary by the Department of
Immigration and Emigration.
The proposals will then be forwarded for Cabinet approval through the
Ministry of Fianance and Planning.
At present an administration fee of USD 50 is charged per person from
certain countries when obtaining visa to Sri Lanka under the new
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system while no administration fee
is charged from some countries including SAARC countries. The reduction
of the administration fee will definitely be a boost to the tourism
sector. |