Online portal (Contact Sri Lanka)

March 27, 2020

The  High Commission of Sri Lanka wishes to inform that  an on-line portal (Contact Sri Lanka) has now been launched by the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Information & Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) for the benefit of overseas Sri Lankans. All Sri Lankans living abroad are invited to register voluntarily allowing the Government of Sri Lanka to reach out and provide assistance. This online portal can be accessed at. www.contactsrilanka.mfa.gov.lk.

Foreign Ministry Launches ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ – Online Portal for Overseas Sri Lankans in Collaboration with ICTA

March 27, 2020

‘Contact Sri Lanka’ an online portal jointly created by the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Information & Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) for the benefit of Overseas Sri Lankans was launched today (26 March 2020) at the Ministry of Foreign Relations. The web link is hosted on the Ministry web page www.mfa.gov.lk and also can be accessed at www.contactsrilanka.mfa.gov.lk.

Establishment of the portal, is pursuant to the call made by  President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for coordinated efforts by all Government stakeholders to fight the COVID-19 outbreak and to Read More »

Limitation of Consular Services

March 24, 2020

Taking into consideration the evolving global situation and high risk associated with COVID-19, the consular services offered by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra will be limited to following consular services, until further notice.

• Issuance of Emergency Travel Document for Sri Lankan Citizens
• Issuance of Certificates related to death of Sri Lankan National
• Any other emergency services considered necessarily
• Urgent inquiries regarding COVID-19 pandemic

Read More »

Media Releases issued by the President’s Media Division

March 23, 2020

The Government has decided to indefinitely extend the closure of the arrival terminal at the Airport

– Flights with passengers will continue to leave Sri Lanka

– Ports operations continue uninterrupted

Click here to read the Media Release

Extension of Sri Lankan Visas to Foreign nationals currently in Sri Lanka

March 23, 2020

Extension of Sri Lankan Visas to Foreign nationals currently in Sri Lanka

Foreign Ministry facilitates outward movement of foreign nationals

March 23, 2020

Arrangements are being made for the smooth return of foreign nationals who are presently in Sri Lanka on tourist and other visa categories. This will be done using both regular flight movements operating through Sri Lanka and also charter flights that may be deployed, as the airport remains open for outbound passenger movements.

Modalities to facilitate these movements were discussed today at a meeting chaired by Secretary Foreign Relations, Ravinatha Aryasinha. The meeting was attended by the Ambassadors representing the western hemisphere as well as representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Police Department, Department of Immigration, Read More »

Special Notice From The Civil Aviation Authority Of Sri Lanka Regarding The Closure Of Airports

March 19, 2020

According to instructions received from Sri Lanka Health Authorities, all international Airports in Sri Lanka will be closed for operation of inward international commercial passenger flights (i.e arrivals) with effect from 0400hrs on 19 March 2020 (local time in Sri Lanka) until 2359hrs on 25 March 2020 (local time in Sri Lanka).

The closure will be reviewed by the Sri Lanka Authorities.

however,during the above mentioned restricted period the following will be permitted: Read More »

Sri Lanka urges foreign states to extend visas of visiting Sri Lankans

March 19, 2020

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha has requested foreign governments to facilitate the appropriate extension of visas for Sri Lankans currently visiting their countries, and facing difficulty to return to Sri Lanka on account of the travel bans that have and will become applicable as part of the control measures on COVID- 19. He noted that the Government of Sri Lanka had on Tuesday (17 March) announced a one-month extension of all types of visas for those foreign nationals presently in the country, from the date of expiry of their present visas. He said such reciprocal arrangements were a common practice, and hoped that this could be facilitated for Sri Lankans, to minimize the anxieties faced by those travelling, in these exceptional times. Read More »

The Full Text of the address to the nation on 17 March 2020 by H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa,President of Sri Lanka

March 18, 2020

Full text of the address to the nation of H.E Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, made today (17/03/20).

The video link is below:

Suspension of On – Arrival Visas in Sri Lanka due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Outbreak

March 13, 2020

The Government of Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended the  on-arrival Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) visa facility for foreigners arriving in Sri Lanka holding Normal/Ordinary Passports with effect from 1200 noon ( Sri Lanka Time) on  14^th March 2020 until further notice.

The foreigners who hold Diplomatic (or) Official Passports are exempted from the above mentioned visa suspension.

The citizens of Singapore, Maldives and Seychelles are also exempted from above mentioned visa suspension. Read More »