Online visa income Rs two billion

Indunil Hewage

Sri Lanka's online visa approval system introduced in January this year has brought in record revenue of Rs two billion as of December 13, 2012 Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.

The government is ambitious of doubling the revenue earned through online Visa Approval System by the end of next year as a result of increased online visa fees and surging tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka government has managed to collect over Rs. 1.2 billion through on line visa approval system in the first seven months of this year and the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system which was introduced on January 1 has become popular among many foreign nationals who arrive as tourists to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka also managed to reach the target of attracting one million visitors to this year and the Tourism authorities are optimistic that the industry will continue to record a steady growth in the coming months.