The Tourism Development Authority has announced that the Cabinet decision to waive tourist visa fees for 39 countries will be reinstated as soon as possible. Chairman Priyantha Fernando noted that the issuance of the necessary gazette notification was delayed due to the dissolution of parliament.
He added that authorities are currently exploring the possibility of reinstating the decision through the President’s executive powers.
Fernando also emphasized that the suspension of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system has led to an estimated loss of nearly $100 million over the past two months.