New ETA system in Sri Lanka to attract more international visitors
The Morning: The Government of Sri Lanka has reinstated the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system from 15 October, with the intention of providing more convenience for tourism services.
Under the new system, all international tourist visitors to Sri Lanka will now have to obtain an ETA before travelling to the country.
Overall, the reinstated ETA system will grant a more efficient and digitally accessible process for travellers to obtain authorisation to enter Sri Lanka.
The announcement follows a period of uncertainty after the government had temporarily replaced the ETA system with a new eVisa platform in April 2024.
However, following a legal dispute, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court ruled that the eVisa system be discontinued, leading to the restoration of the ETA process.
As of 15 October, all inbound travellers will be required to secure their ETA online, making the entry process smoother and more accessible for tourists from around the world.
This development not only simplifies entry for global tourists but also plays a pivotal role in boosting Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, providing an efficient solution for visitors to explore the country’s rich culture, heritage sites, and scenic beauty.
OSL take:
The expanding economic activities and the overall expansion of the country’s economy have presented many business/investment opportunities in key economic sectors in Sri Lanka. The expansion witnessed in Sri Lanka’s economy has increased the need to further develop and expand the country’s digital industry due to the increasing demand and increasing number of foreign travellers arriving in the country on business or tourism. The expansion in Sri Lanka’s digital industry has presented business/investment opportunities, especially to be on par with the fast-evolving global digital industry and to meet the increasing demand of foreign businesses/investors interested in entering the Sri Lankan economy. The programme launched by the Sri Lankan government to digitize all sectors of the country is further indicative of Sri Lanka’s expanding business/investment opportunities in the country’s digital industry and related sectors. The growth and profits recorded by businesses already engaged in Sri Lanka’s digital industry and related sectors indicate the lucrative nature of the business/investment opportunities in the industry. With Sri Lanka on the path to becoming a regional hub, the business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s digital industry and related sectors are manifold and will continue to revolve. Given all these factors, foreign businesses/investors could confidently explore the expanding business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s digital industry and related sectors.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20251010/Z_2 |