High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

Participants of the Workshop

 A participant receiving his certificate from High Commissioner Austin Fernando

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Austin Fernando requested the members of the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), to support promoting Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Heritage sites among the Indian travelers, which will create a win – win situation for the respective stakeholders. The High Commissioner made this request at a workshop on “Sri Lanka’s Ramayana Heritage Sites”, organized by the Sri Lanka High Commission in association with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI) at the High Commission premises on 21 August 2019.   

During his recent official visit to India, Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, Malik Samarawickrama met the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry of India, Piyush Goyal and conveyed his best wishes on being re-appointed as a Cabinet Minister.  

Representations have been made to the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi by persons who have applied for online visa (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka, through the websites of various private institutions/ on line electronic contact links and failed to obtain visas.

Some have complained of not receiving any response at all, while some others complained on high charges made on their applications. Some representations, therefore, have been made to the High Commission requesting for reimbursement of money that had been paid to such institutions, which are not owned by the Government of Sri Lanka.

To avoid such pitfalls, the High Commission advises applicants to adhere to the following procedures in obtaining visas to Sri Lanka.

01. To visit the official ETA website of the Government of Sri Lanka via the URL www.eta.gov.lk and apply for visas directly; or

02. To visit Sri Lanka Diplomatic Missions in New Delhi, Chennai or Mumbai and apply visas by submitting completed visa application form, two photographs and return air ticket.

High Commissioner Austin Fernando calling on the Governor of the State of Andhra Pradesh Biswa Bhusan

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India Austin Fernando requested the Andhra Pradesh State Government to support and facilitate the expansion of Sri Lanka’s investment “Brandix Apparel City” located in Vishakhapatnam, and liaise with Sri Lanka to develop tourism both ways. The High Commissioner made these requests when he called on the Governor of Andhra Pradesh Biswa Bhusan and the State’s Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy during his visit to the State of Andhra Pradesh from 9-11 August 2019.