Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended its e-visa issuance system following a Supreme Court ruling that raised serious concerns about corruption and procedural violations in the awarding of the contract to the consortium managing the platform. The suspension, which took effect on August 2, 2024, is part of an interim order halting the use of the current e-visa platform managed by VFS Global and its partners, IVS Global Services, and GBS Technology. The court’s decision came in response to multiple petitions highlighting a lack of transparency and abuse of public trust in the procurement process.
This suspension has significant implications for travelers and the travel industry. Visitors to Sri Lanka must now obtain visas on arrival, returning to a system used before the e-visa platform was introduced. While the visa on arrival process remains operational with a fee of $50, travelers should anticipate potential delays at entry points due to increased demand.
The Sri Lankan government has announced plans to reinstate its previous Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, which was considered efficient and reliable before it was replaced in April 2024. Although the government intends to transition back to the old system quickly, the exact timeline is uncertain, leaving the travel industry in a state of uncertainty.
For travel professionals, this situation underscores the need to keep clients informed about the current visa process and advise them to allow extra time for visa processing upon arrival. Stakeholders should also closely monitor the situation as further changes could occur depending on the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings.
In conclusion, while the suspension of the e-visa system presents new challenges, the continued availability of visas on arrival ensures that travel to Sri Lanka remains possible, albeit with some added complexity.