Tourism Act
The Tourism Act No 38 of 2005 came into effect in October 2007. With the circulation of the new Tourism act, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board Act No 10 of 1966, which was in effect for the past 41 years, was replaced. In terms of the provisions contained in the new act, the Tourism Development Fund was legally constituted, with 2 main sources remitting finances to the fund. By way of 1/3 of the Airport Tax collections and 1% of the Turnover of all Sri Lanka Tourist Board registered establishments. The Act provided for the setting up of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, thereby replacing the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. Marketing and promotion is handled by the Tourism Promotion Bureau. Tourism HRD functions and the Hotels School operations are undertaken by the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management. The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau was also restructured as a statutory body like other Institutions to be managed by an independent Board of Management. The objectives of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority as specified in the Sri Lanka Tourism Act No.38 of 2005 is as follows;
Develop Sri Lanka as a tourist and travel destination both in Sri Lanka and abroad.
Advise the Minister in charge of the subject Tourism on matters relating to travel and the tourism industry, within the policy formulated by Cabinet of Ministers, in relation to this sector
Provide guidance to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau to develop, promote and market Sri Lanka as a tourist and travel destination both in Sri Lanka and abroad;
Provide guidance to the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management to undertake human resource training and development activities
Work towards the enhancement of the tourism and travel sectors in order to secure a contribution for the expansion and development of the Sri Lanka economy;
Develop and promote adequate, attractive and efficient tourist services, inclusive of the hospitality industry in a sustainable manner;
License and accredit tourist enterprises in order to develop, enforce and maintain locally and internationally accepted standards in relation to the tourism industry and other related industries;
Encourage persons or bodies of persons in the private sector to participate in the promotion of the tourism industry and the promotional and training activities connected with such industry;
Do all such other acts as may be necessary or conducive to the attainment of all or any of the above objectives.
The new Tourism Boards set up under the new Tourism Act are
- The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
- The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau
- The Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management
- The Sri Lanka Convention Bureau
What is a Sri Lankan Visa?
A Sri Lankan visa is an endorsement on a passport or a similar document to facilitate the legal entry of non Sri Lankans into the country and to regulate the period of their stay and the conditions governing such stay.
What is a Sri Lankan Visa?
- The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
What are the Types of Sri Lankan Visas?
There are four kinds of visas which permit a person to enter and/or stay in Sri Lanka.
Visit Visa
A Visit Visa is an entry permit signifying the consent of the Sri Lankan Government for the admission of a foreign national to the country. The Visa contains details of the period of time and the condition/s of the stay
There are two sub-categories which come under visit visas :-
1. Tourist Visit Visa
A Tourist Visa is issued to bona-fide tourists who want to enter Sri Lanka for sightseeing, excursions, relaxation, visit relatives or yoga training for a short period of time.
2. Business Purpose Visa
A Business Purpose Visa is issued to foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka for business purposes for short period of time. This visa may be issued for single or double journeys.
Residence Visa
A residence visa is a permit for a non-Sri Lankan to obtain residence facilities for special purposes.There are eight sub-categories which come under residence visas -
What Eligibility category do I belong?
1. Employment Category
Project Professional personnel whose services are required for projects approved by the state and expatriate personne
employed in projects under Board of Investment (BOI) of Sri Lanka and their dependants
Personnel employed at banks and their dependants
Volunteers
Personnel attached to Non-Governmental Organizations
Personnel employed in a project, institution or organization under diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka
Personnel employed in a private company and their dependants
2. Investor Category
Who desire to invest monetary capital in Sri Lanka
Who engage in business activities in Sri Lanka.
3. Religious Category
Members of the Clergy
4. Student Category
University Students
Students in Educational Institutions approved by the State
Other Institutions
5. Registered Indians covered by the 1954 Indo-Lanka Agreement.
6. Ex- Sri Lankans and their dependants
7. Family Members of a Sri Lankan
Spouses
Children holding foreign nationality
8. Diplomatic and Official visa
9. My Dream Home Visa Programme
10. Resident Guest Visa Programme
Transit Visa
A Transit Visa is an entry permit granted to a foreign national for admission into Sri Lanka for a brief period which is incidential and in the course of his journey to another destination.
Gratis Visa
The holder of a Diplomatic or Official Passport or a passport with a valid Diplomatic or Official endorsement will not be required to pay any fees for the visa.
Who are eligible for Visa Exemptions?
Sri Lankan dual citizens.
Children whose birth has been registered under section 5(2) of Citizenship Act - 1948 upto 21 years of age.
Children born in Sri Lanka for Sri Lankan parents under 21 years of age.
What are the general eligibility requirements for Sri Lankan Visas?
Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration may grant or issue a visa to you if -
1. Sri Lanka Immigration & Emigration is satisfied that you are suitable to enter Sri Lanka.
2. Sri Lanka Immigration & Emigration approves the purpose for which you are entering Sri Lanka.
3. You hold a passport valid for a minimum period of six months from the date you arrive in Sri Lanka.
4. Sri Lanka Immigration & Emigration is satisfied that you have adequate funds for your maintenance whilst in Sri Lanka and for the payment of your return passage to the country which issued your passport.
5. You are in possession of a written assurance (ticket) to return to the country of domicile or a visa to the next country of destination if you are a visit visa holder.
What are the general conditions of a Visit Visa?
You should not engage in any form of employment, paid or unpaid, or in any trade or business other than that specified in the visa during the period of your stay in Sri Lanka.
Your visa must be utilized before the date of expiry noted on the visa.
Validity of your visa is subject to entry into Sri Lanka during the indicated entry period.
Applications for the extension of all visas should be made to the Department of Immigration and Emigration.