August opening for tourists

Sri Lanka Tourism has announced that it will open for international tourists from August 1, 2020, and has put in place protocols, safety measures and visa regulations for incoming tourists.

Nisha Verma

Sri Lanka will welcome travellers from across the world starting August 1, 2020, as the country has successfully contained COVID-19. Announcing the same, Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson, Sri Lanka Tourism, said, “Sri Lanka Tourism will provide international visitors with the highest standards of safety as we embrace tourists from across the world to experience the beauty of our paradise island once more. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has put in place all precautions recommended by global health and travel authorities to re-open the country to tourists.”

Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Ratmalana International Airport (RIA) as well as Hambantota’s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) will be opened from August 1, 2020, for international travellers from all nations. The issuing of visas will be only online and must be applied for prior to travel.
Tourists will not have to undergo quarantine procedures. A mandatory health screening and sanitising process including a PCR test will be conducted at the arrival airports free of charge for tourists, and all travellers will be transferred through pre-booked transportation to designated hotels in close proximity to the airport, to await their PCR test results which would be expected within 24 hours. First night pending the test result could be in a selected certified hotel, depending on arrival airport.

Online visa procedure and requirements for tourists

• A negative PCR test report from an accredited laboratory taken within 72 hours prior to landing in Sri Lanka
• A confirmed travel itinerary covering at least 5 nights at certified accommodations.
• A valid return air ticket
• Travel insurance with health and hospitalisation cover
• A visa fee of US$100 will be applicable

Tourists will not have to undergo quarantine procedures.