Sri Lanka Halts eVisa System Amid Allegations of Corruption and Procedural Violations

Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended its new eVisa system, effective August 2, 2024, due to an interim Supreme Court order following allegations of procedural violations and corruption during the contract award process. The eVisa system, which replaced the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system this April, will no longer be operational until further notice. Travelers must now revert to the previous practices, which significantly affected the tourist and business communities.

The eVisa system introduced earlier this year aimed to streamline Sri Lanka’s travel authorization process. However, concerns emerged almost immediately regarding its contracting process, which VFS Global, GBS Technology, and IVS Global Services manage. Alleged violations of public trust and procedural norms triggered legal action, culminating in a Supreme Court intervention that cited corruption risks.

Impact on Travelers

Visa on Arrival

Tourists headed to Sri Lanka will need to apply for a visa on arrival. This change applies to all tourists except those from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, North Korea, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Syria, who must file their visa applications at the Department of Immigration’s headquarters.

Refund Process

Travelers who applied for eVisas post-suspension will receive refunds. For those whose applications are still pending, VFS Global requires the respective application reference numbers to process the refunds.

Reinstatement of the ETA System

In response to the suspension, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has mandated the reinstatement of the ETA system, which will be managed by Mobitel, a local telecommunications company. The ETA portal is expected to be fully operational within a week to ensure continuity in travel processes.

Government Response

The Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, Viyani Gunathilaka, assured that ongoing discussions among officials from the Department of Immigration and Emigration aim to resolve the situation quickly. The suspension will stand until the court’s final ruling.

Key Points

The eVisa suspension has various immediate consequences:

• Current eVisa Holders**: Those who obtained an eVisa before the cut-off at 5:00 p.m. IST on August 2, 2024, can still use their visas.
• Business Visas**: All business visas are currently suspended indefinitely.

This development underscores the delicate balance between technological advancements and maintaining procedural integrity. The reinstatement of the ETA system should stabilize the situation and restore transparency in visa applications for travelers to Sri Lanka.

For more detailed guidance on navigating Sri Lanka’s visa requirements, visit the Department of Immigration and Emigration.