Sri Lanka is preparing to open its border for international arrivals sometime in or about September
2020. The Country is looking forward to resurrecting it’s otherwise vibrant tourist industry currently
halted due to the Pandemic.
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) facility currently suspended is scheduled to be made
functional allowing travelers to obtain online visas limited to only ‘Tourist Visa’s until further notice.
A “Sri Lanka Tourism Operational Guidelines with Health Protocols” has been formulated with the
participation of all stakeholders to include the Ministry of Health and issued by the Sri Lanka Tourism
Development Authority (SLTDA) acting under the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation’, which provides
inter-alia as follows:
Arrivals will be charged a Visa fee of USD 100 which covers the PCR test cost.
The Visa will be processed on the submission of documents in proof of compliance with the following
mandatory requirements-
- A valid travel insurance with health and hospitalization coverage for the entire duration of stay
- A valid return air ticket
- A travel itinerary/tour package be booked either online or through a travel agency registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) mandatorily comprising of no less than a minimum stay of 5 nights in Sri Lanka with accommodation only at any SLTDA registered and “Safe and Secure” certified establishments. The first nights stay required to be at an accommodation in close proximity to the Airport arrived at i:e Colombo/Negombo areas for arrivals into The Bandaranaike International Airport/Ratmalana International Airport and Hambantota area for arrivals into The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.
On arrival in Sri Lanka a Negative PCR Report obtained from an accredited laboratory no more than 72
hours prior to the landing must be produced. Additionally, upon arrival every passenger shall be subjected
to a PCR test and pending the result a passenger may check into the accommodation booked for the first
night, details of which are enumerated above.
A repeat PCR test will be conducted 5-7 days after arrival or if the guest develops respiratory symptoms,
whichever comes first. For visitors in Sri Lanka for a duration of longer than 10 days, a further PCR test
will be carried out after 10-12 days of arrival.
All PCR tests will be conducted free of charge and in the event of a ‘Positive’ reading on a Test suc person
shall be sent to a hospital or quarantine hotel at a charge of USD 100 per night to be borne by the Visitor.
The Guidelines to include the conditions of entry into Sri Lanka are subject to change based on the prevailing situation.