1 Visa
1.1 Visa Application
For a short visit to Sri Lnka travellers should obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). An application for an ETA can be done online at www.eta.gov.lk. The Eta is initially limited to 30 days validity from the date of arrival, althoug it may be extended for up to six months. Please note that your passport must be valid at least six monthson the time of your visit in Sri Lanka.
1.2 Tourist Visa
A Tourist Visa is issued to bona-fide tourists who want to enter Sri Lanka for sightseeing, excursions, relaxation, visit relatives or yoga training for a short period of time.
1.3 Business Visit Visa
A Business Visa is issued to foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka for business purposes for short periods of time. This visa may be issued for single, double or multiple journeys.
For further information:
Department of Immigration and Emigration
Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha
Maradana, Colombo 10.
Tel: +94-11-5329000 / +94-11-5329316/20/21/25
www.immigration.gov.lk
2 Customs
2.1 Import
You are allowed to bring into the country duty free 1.5 litres of spirits, two bottles of wine, and a small quantity of perfume and souvenirs with a value not exceeding US$ 250. The import of personal equipment such as cameras and laptop computers are allowed but must be declared on arrival.
2.2 Export
On leaving the country you are allowed to export up to 10kg of tea duty free. No antiques antique, defined as anything more than 50-years-old – rare books, palm-leaf manuscripts and anthropological material can be exported with permission from the:
Director
National Archives
7 Reid Avenue
Colombo -07.
Tel: +94-11 2694523/ 2696917
www.archives.gov.lk
Director General
Department of Archaeology
Sir Marcus Fernando Mw
Colombo
Tel: +94 11 2692840/1
Tel. +94-11-2694727, +94-11-2667155
www.archaeology.gov.lk
Purchase and export of any wild animal, bird or reptile, dead or alive without licence is prohibited. Also, the export of parts of animals, birds or reptiles, such as skins, horns, scales and feathers are prohibited. Occasional exports are, however, permitted exclusively for bona fide scientific purposes. It is prohibited to export of 450 plant species without special permits. The export of coral, shells or other protected marine products is also strictly prohibited.
Applications for special permission to export fauna should be made to the
Director
Department of Wildlife Conservation
382, New Kandy Road
Malabe
Tel: +9411 25060380
And flora should be made to the:
Director
Forest Department
82, Rajamalwatta Road
Battaramulla
Tel: + 94 11 28666 16/ 2866632
www.environmentlanka.com