29°C
Colombo, Sri Lanka
ETA Brings Record Revenue
The online visa approval system introduced in Sri Lanka at the beginning of this year has brought in record revenue to the Sri Lankan Government.
The Sri Lankan Government introduced the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system on 01 January 2012 to grant prior approval for visa via online for foreign nationals from 78 countries except for visitors from Singapore and Maldives, the two countries that reciprocate the on-arrival visa system with Sri Lanka.
Immigration and Emigration Controller Chulananda Perera revealed that the visa approvals granted within the first 45 days of this year had brought in a record income of over Rs 170 million and is very popular with visitors to the country.
According to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the month of January has recorded 85,874 tourists arrivals to the country.
The country expects to reach a target of one million tourist arrivals this year and revenues of US$ 1 billion.
