Tourists intending to travel to Sri Lanka will now be required to obtain a visa upon arrival, following the temporary halt of the electronic visa system (e-Visa).

This new requirement, which will take effect on 2 August 2024, necessitates that visitors adhere to a revised application process, with the exception of Nigerian nationals, who are mandated to submit their visa applications directly at the headquarters of the Department of Immigration.

This information was revealed in a statement released on the official government e-Visa portal, www.srilankaevisa.lk, by VisaNews on Monday.

The statement indicated that VFS Global, the entity responsible for managing the e-Visa system, had “been informed of certain interim orders issued by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka today concerning the agreement under which this platform operates.”

It further noted, “In light of these orders, the website will be suspended starting 2 August at 17:00 hours Sri Lanka Standard Time.”

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka issued an interim order on Friday, nullifying the agreement with VFS Global due to allegations of procedural irregularities, corruption, and violations of public trust.

VFS Global is the organization entrusted with the management of the e-Visa system.

As a result, the e-Visa portal (https://www.srilankaevisa.lk/) has been taken offline.

VFS Global hereby informs that applicants whose applications were submitted post the suspension of services will be issued refunds.

“For applicants whose visa applications are under process, in case you applied on 2 August after 17:00 hours Sri Lanka Standard Time, you will receive a refund. Please share your application reference number with travel.partner@srilankaevisa.lk,” the company stated.

In light of the court's ruling, Sri Lanka intends to reinstate the previously utilized Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, which is managed by Mobitel, a telecommunications provider in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators has indicated that the ETA system is anticipated to be operational "within the week." The suspension of the e-Visa system will continue until the court makes a determination regarding the petition.

Viyani Gunathilaka, the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, has confirmed that discussions are ongoing with officials from the Department of Immigration and Emigration to expedite a resolution.

The countries impacted by this change, which are now required to obtain a visa prior to arrival, include Afghanistan, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, North Korea, Ghana, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Syria.

This situation arises following Sri Lanka's decision in April to transition from the ETA system to an e-Visa framework overseen by a consortium that includes VFS Global, GBS Technology, and IVS Global Services.