Pilgrimage organizers call for reissue of emergency travel permits for elderly devotees to India

The Overseas Buddhist Tour Organizers’ Association has called on the government to take immediate steps to reintroduce the emergency travel permit system, which previously allowed elderly Sri Lankan Buddhist devotees to undertake pilgrimages to India at minimal cost and with ease.

Speaking at a media briefing held on Wednesday (9) at the N.M. Perera Centre in Borella, the association’s president, I.P.S. Gunasekara, emphasized the growing difficulties faced by the Buddhist community following the discontinuation of the permit.

“For Sri Lankan Buddhists, a pilgrimage to Dambadiva—the birthplace of the Buddha—is a spiritually significant and once-in-a-lifetime journey,” Gunasekara said. “We have been organizing these trips for years in close collaboration with India and Nepal. The sudden suspension of the emergency travel permit, which was affordable and recognized by both countries, has caused immense disruption.”

Gunasekara said that the suspension stemmed from the previous government’s failure to print and distribute the permits, leaving pilgrims with no low-cost travel document alternative.

The issue is further compounded by the suspension of Foreign Ministry-led coordination efforts, which had previously facilitated the early return of pilgrims from India. Organizers warn that the lack of streamlined support is straining both pilgrims and tour operators.

Mahendra Halloluwa, the General Secretary of the association, stressed that successive governments had upheld the permit system, acknowledging its value to pilgrims, especially senior citizens.

“Elderly devotees, who could earlier obtain the permit for just Rs. 500, are now forced to travel to Colombo and spend up to Rs. 10,000 for a standard passport,” Halloluwa said. “This is not only financially burdensome but also physically demanding for many.”

He added that the matter has already been brought to the attention of the President, Prime Minister, and relevant cabinet ministers.

Also present at the briefing was Priyantha Jayasuriya, Media Secretary of the Association, along with several other representatives.