Business

Sri Lanka Tourism gears up to welcome international visitors

Published

5 years ago

2021/01/19

As Sri Lanka opens its doors to the world once again; Sri Lanka Tourism has pulled out all the stops, ensuring that every precautionary measure has been set in place to make the island getaway as safe, secure and serene as possible for the visitors. In this regard Sri Lanka Tourism has published ‘Safety Protocols’ to be followed by the tourism industry stakeholders and visitors. These protocols were issued by the Ministry of Health and adopted by Sri Lanka Tourism after a thorough analysis of the situation and following multiple consultations with all relevant stakeholders and health professionals to ensure a smooth transition to begin operations in the midst of this new normal.

As per the safety protocols published Sri Lanka does not require a minimum number of days to stay. i.e. visitors to the island can stay even 3 to 4 days. Also offers ‘Quarantine free’ visitor experience where the visitors are allowed to enjoy all facilities in their respective hotels including the swimming pools, spas, gym etc. However the only requirement put in place for the safety of the traveller, tourism stakeholders and Sri Lankan community is the need for the travellers to stay at a ‘Safe and Secure’ certified, Level 1 hotel or hotels in the initial 14 days of their stay. This ensures the creation of a bio-bubble for the international visitors assuring the safety of the local communities, employees of the industry and the visitors to the industry. The respective hotels and accommodation providers along with the travel agents and tour operators will be entrusted to ensure that visitors don’t break the bubble of safety.

‘Safe & Secure’ certified hotel

These are hotels or accommodation providers who comply with the COVID-19 Health Protocols and the Tourism Operational Guidelines (visit srilanka.travel for details of the Tourism Operational Guidelines issued). The hotels have been subjected to an audit by an independent audit firm and will be continually assessed. The ‘Safe & Secure’ certificate is issued with a QR code unique to each certified hotel. By scanning the QR code using a smartphone, visitors can not only check the key information of the certified hotel but also immediately report to Sri Lanka Tourism of any violations related to the guideline procedures with photo evidence. Sri Lanka Tourism believes this certification will serve as a mark of trust, safety and assurance to all international guests. Hotels with the certification are encouraged to display the certificate with the QR code that can be easily accessed by all guests.

‘Safe & Secure’ certified Level 1 hotel

From all the ‘Safe & Secure’ certified hotels, these are the accommodation service providers who will provide accommodation services exclusively for international tourists during the first 14 days of their stay. The level 1 hotels cannot accept bookings from locals and also are not allowed to hold any events or banquet functions for locals. International travellers are allowed to stay in any number of ‘Safe & Secure’ Certified Level 1 hotels during the initial 14 days of their stay. Visit srilanka.travel/helloagain for the complete list of Level 1 hotels.

As Sri Lanka opens its borders for international visitors, it will be mandatory for them to have a pre-booking at a ‘Safe & Secure’ Certified Level 1 hotel.

Process of applying for visa for international travellers

Visitors planning to visit Sri Lanka must apply for their visas online through the Immigration ETA portal (www.eta.gov.lk). Before applying for visa, potential visitors are required to have a confirmed hotel booking, pre-purchased PCR tests and a mandatory COVID-19 insurance cover.

The cost per PCR test will be $ 40 and pre-purchase PCR tests depending on the number of days of stay (eg: pay for 2 PCR tests for 7 days stay and 3 PCR tests if the travel exceeds 7 days). Mandatory COVID-19 insurance cover from People’s Insurance PLC will cost $ 12 for a policy of $ 50,000 for a period of one month. Visitors are advised by Sri Lanka Tourism to contact their ‘Safe and Secure Level 1’ hotel or travel agent when making their booking. Upon the payment of the PCR tests and insurance premium, the hotel will issue a reference number which the visitors need to include in their visa form under the section ‘contact details’. There you will be asked for ‘address in Sri Lanka’ under which you need to indicate your hotel name, address and the reference number issued by the hotel confirming the payment for mandatory PCR and insurance premium.

Sri Lanka Tourism has made it mandatory for the hotels to provide confirmed booking number (reference number) only after collecting funds for necessary PCR tests ($ 40 per PCR test and number of PCR tests depends on the duration of stay) and Insurance premium of $12 for a cover of $50,000 for one month.

Going forward the visa process will be directed through the Sri Lanka Tourism’s mobile app; ‘Visit Sri Lanka’.

PCR testing for International visitors

All visitors, prior to boarding, will have to carry a negative PCR test result from an accredited laboratory 96 hours before their departure. This report will be checked at the respective airport (BIA or Mattala). The first of the prepaid PCR tests would be carried out on-arrival at the guest’s hotel; prior to check-in. The second PCR test would be conducted 5-7 days after, or if any symptoms should develop before. If a test should result as positive, initial isolation would be accommodated at the hotel; and if necessary, transfers to a private hospital or a designated hotel to be quarantined; would be arranged. Costs to be covered via your COVID-19 insurance, already paid for at the time of visa issuance. Currently no exceptions are made for vaccinations taken; all safety protocols should be adhered to regardless.

Visiting sites and attractions

Sri Lanka Tourism with the tourism industry has created a bio-bubble for international visitors to explore multiple sites and attractions in Sri Lanka: This include places such as, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Yala, Udawalawe, Kaudulla and Wilpaththu National Parks, Mirissa Whale Watching, Sigiriya Fortress, Anuradhapura (excluding ‘Sri Maha Bodhiya’) and Polonnaruwa to name a few. (Visit srilanka.travel/helloagain for complete list of approved sites).

Connecting with Sri Lanka Tourism for updates

Sri Lanka Tourism will take every possible step to provide the international visitors to the paradise island an amazing time while ensuring their safety, providing a safe and secure operational environment for the service providers of the tourism industry and ensuring that local communities are protected and secured. All information related to the re-opening for international travel are listed on srilanka.travel/helloagain along with important notices to the industry. Thus Sri Lanka Tourism invites all international travellers, industry stakeholders to connect with its social media and official channels to obtain timely, authentic information.

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Business

Sri Lanka’s 2026 economic growth predicted to be around 4-5 percent

Published

22 hours ago

2026/01/10

Thilina Walpola

Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe; ‘Growth prospects okay’

Sri Lanka’s economic growth for 2026 will be around 4-5 percent, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said.

The Governor indicated the estimated economic growth while announcing the Central Bank’s policy agenda for this year, last Thursday.

‘The Central Bank’s 2026 growth estimation is higher than the growth prediction of the IMF and the World Bank and is achievable, the Governor told the media while announcing the Central Bank’s policy agenda for 2026.

Dr. Weerasinghe added: ‘The Central Bank will introduce a benchmark intra-day reference exchange rate this year to ensure transparency in the foreign exchange market.

‘The absence of a reference exchange rate has held back the expansion of the Sri Lankan forex market and discouraged the trading of rupee-denominated derivatives Governor said.

‘The Central Bank last year carried out the necessary preliminary work to implement the benchmark spot exchange rate.

‘The benchmark intra-day reference exchange rate will be introduced in 2026 to foster a transparent foreign exchange market.

‘This benchmark will guide market participants, help reduce volatility and promote more competitive pricing on a given date, thereby enabling the introduction of more innovative products in the foreign exchange market.

‘Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange market has limited derivatives like currency swaps and options aiming to deepen markets and attract inflows.

‘However, these instruments failed after a lack of reliable reference exchange rate amid concerns over excessive speculation, rupee over-appreciation risks and interventions distorting clean floating rates.’

Meanwhile, currency dealers welcomed the move and said it will help to deepen the market.

“This will expand the market with more products and promote rupee-denominated derivatives, a currency dealer from a local bank said.

“It is something the market wanted to fix in derivative prices. This is a pricing mechanism for the rupee, he added.

By Hiran H Senewiratne ✍️

Business

Sevalanka Foundation and The Coca-Cola Foundation support flood-affected communities in Biyagama, Sri Lanka

Published

22 hours ago

2026/01/10

Thilina Walpola

With funding support from The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), the Sevalanka Foundation has launched a humanitarian relief programme to support flood-affected communities in Biyagama. The initiative focuses on restoring access to safe water, healthcare services, and essential public facilities during the critical recovery period following the Cyclone Ditwah.

Working closely with the Divisional Secretariat, the program prioritizes the cleaning and rehabilitation of contaminated dug and tube wells, helping address the urgent post-flood challenge of access to safe water. This intervention will also support the cleaning and reopening of essential public spaces, including schools, and Grama Niladhari (GN) offices, enabling authorities and communities to resume daily activities safely. The Sevalanka Foundation and TCCF, as part of the initial response, have also donated water pumps to the Divisional Secretariat to support immediate water extraction and clean-up efforts.

In addition, as the second main component of the project, and based on the guidance of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH), support is being provided to MOH-operated healthcare facilities to restore access to emergency and essential medical services. This support includes sanitization, debris removal, hazard stabilization, and the provision of emergency medical supplies such essential medicines and hygiene products. Medical camps staffed by doctors and senior nurses will be conducted through MOH offices to provide prioritized groups of persons with health, nutrition and hygiene related relief items.

Business

Bourse radiates optimism as UK grants tariff-free concession to local apparel exports

Published

22 hours ago

2026/01/10

Thilina Walpola

CSE activities were extremely bullish yesterday mainly due to the UK government’s announcement on tariff free access for local apparel sector exports into the UK coupled with Central Bank Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe’s positive outlook on the economy this year.

Amid those developments the turnover level also improved and the All Share Price Index moved up to the 23500 mark during the trading day.

The All Share Price Index went up by 127.17 points, while the S and P SL20 rose by 56.75 points. Turnover stood at Rs 8.5 billion with 18 crossings.

Top seven crossings were: LOLC Holdings two million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 1.18 billion; its shares traded at Rs 575, Renuka Agri 45 million shares crossed to the tune of Rs 594 million; its share price was Rs 13.20, Sampath Bank 1.4 million shares crossed for Rs 215 million and its shares traded at Rs 154.35, Renuka Holdings 1.5 million shares crossed for Rs 75 million; its shares traded at Rs 50, Hayleys 200,000 shares crossed to the tune of Rs 41.3 million; its shares traded at Rs 207, Tokyo Cement (Non-Voting) 400,000 shares crossed for Rs 37.8 million; its shares sold at Rs 50 and NTB 100,000 shares crossed for Rs 326 million; its shares sold at Rs 326.

In the retail market top seven companies that contributed to the turnover were; LOLC Rs 340 million (591,000 shares traded), Sampath Bank Rs 310 million (two million shares traded), Renuka Agri Foods Rs 275 million (19.4 million shares traded), ACL Cables Rs 238 million (2.3 million shares traded), Overseas Realty Rs 215 million (4.9 million shares traded), CIC Holdings (Non Voting) Rs 180 million (6.3 million shares traded) and Wealth Trust Equity Rs 132 million (8.2 million shares traded). During the day 269.3 million share volumes changed hands in 47852 transactions.

It is said the banking and financial sectors performed well, especially Sampath Bank, while a top diversified company, LOLC Holdings, also performed well.

Yesterday, the rupee opened at Rs 309.15/30 to the US dollar in the spot market relatively flat from Rs 309.10/50 the previous day, having depreciated in recent weeks, dealers said, while bond yields opened higher.

The telegraphic transfer rates for the dollar were 305.8500 buying, 312.8500 selling; the British pound was 409.7568 buying, and 421.1186 selling, and the euro was 354.0809 buying, 365.4441 selling.

By Hiran H Senewiratne ✍️