Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
Extension of Sri Lankan visas for foreign nationals who are currently in Sri Lanka
Friday, 20 March 2020 20:45
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka, it has been decided to extend the validity period of all types of Visas issued to foreigners who are currently in Sri Lanka.
You are kindly requested to proceed as advised below.
- The validity period of all types of Visas will be extended for a period of 30 days from 14th March 2020 to 12th April 2020
- Please visit the Visa Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration either on 08th or 09th April 2020 to pay the relevant fees and to obtain the visa endorsement on your Passport.
- If you intend to leave Sri Lanka during the aforementioned period, your journey will be facilitated by paying the relevant visa fee at the Airport without any penalty.
- The validity period of the Acknowledgement issued for applications already submitted to the Department of Immigration and Emigration to obtain visas, will also be extended for a period of 30 days with effect from 14th March 2020 to 12th April 2020. If you intend to leave the country during this time, a request to obtain your passport from the Department of Immigration and Emigration should be sent to the following E-mail addresses along with a copy of your air ticket. Necessary details in this regard will be communicated accordingly via the same channel.
i. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ii. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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v. jithanieathukorala@gmail,com
For inquiries: +94771588724
You are kindly advised to refrain from visiting the Department of Immigration and Emigration premises during the above period. Any inconvenience caused in this regard is regretted.
This notice is issued on the instructions of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration.
SRI LANKA URGES FOREIGN STATES TO EXTEND VISAS OF VISITING SRI LANKANS
Thursday, 19 March 2020 00:00
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.
Foreign Secretary Aryasinha made these observations today (18 March), when he addressed a group of Ambassadors from Western Hemisphere, as part of the series of briefing sessions to keep the diplomatic community informed of the developments with regard to measures taken by Sri Lanka to control the spread of COVID-19.
While appreciating the supportive role played by the respective governments on assisting the Sri Lankan communities in their countries, the Foreign Secretary shared with the envoys present, the current status regards foreign nationals in Sri Lanka and some difficulties experienced by Sri Lankans overseas. He said, recognizing the concerns at present, all Sri Lanka diplomatic outposts now serve as emergency response units, where only limited consular and other services are continued to be offered amid the current challenges.
Concerns of foreign missions in Colombo over their citizens, facilities at the quarantine centres, and proper communication channels, were effectively responded to by the local stake holders present. The meeting also reached consensus on the smooth departure of foreign nationals, notwithstanding the closure of the airport for those seeking to enter Sri Lanka.
The envoys expressed appreciation for the efforts of the government in handling the situation, including extension of visas for their nationals, and assured that the request to reciprocate the same for Sri Lankans travelling in their countries will be communicated to their respective governments.
SPECIAL NOTICE FROM THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF SRI LANKA REGARDING THE CLOSURE OF AIRPORTS
Wednesday, 18 March 2020 15:38
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.
During the above mentioned restricted period the following will be permitted:
- Aircraft Departures with passengers originating from Colombo, Stop overs, transit passengers or visiting tourists.
- Emergency Diversions to Bandaranaike International Airport
- Freighter Operations and humanitarian flights to Bandaranaike International Airport
- Technical landings at Bandaranaike International Airport
- Inbound ferry flights (without passengers) at Bandaranaike International Airport
Temporary Suspension of Consular Services at Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa and the Consulate General in Toronto
Tuesday, 17 March 2020 17:14
On the instructions of the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Sri Lanka, all services offered by the Consular section of the High Commission in Ottawa and the Consulate General in Toronto will be suspended with immediate effect until further notice.
Consular services connected to death or any other service deemed absolutely essential, would be offered only by prior appointment.
Any requests for appointments can be made by contacting the High Commission as follows;
E-mail : This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Consulate General in Toronto: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sri Lanka High Commission
Ottawa
17.03.2020
SUSPENSION OF VISAS TO SRI LANKA DUE TO THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK
Monday, 16 March 2020 21:09
The Government of Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended all types of visa issuance to enter Sri Lanka for two weeks with immediate effect to nationals of most affected countries, including Canada.
All types of Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), Entry Visas, Landing Endorsements, Multiple Entry Visas and Residence Visas already granted to Canadian nationals will be temporarily suspended and they will not be allowed to enter Sri Lanka for two weeks with effect from 23.59hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) on 17 March 2020 to 24.00 hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) on 31 March 2020.
This restriction does not apply to Diplomatic, Official and Service Passport holders.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Ottawa
16.03.2020
Limitation of Consular Services in Sri Lanka Missions in UK, Belgium & Norway
Monday, 16 March 2020 15:38
Towards limiting the transmission of COVID-19 and to ensure effective implementation of the travel restrictions imposed on the newly designated countries,
The decision stems from the fact that the Government has renewed the list of designated countries adding three more destinations and to ably support the efforts at restricting all inbound travels of personnel from point of origins deemed potentially threatening and contemplating lockdown.
Accordingly, from 16 March 2020, consular services offered by Sri Lanka Missions will be limited to issuance of emergency travel documents, issuance of certification and related documents connected to death, and any other emergency services considered necessary. These services will be extended by the respective Missions on a case by case basis and strictly with a prior appointment secured from Missions in order to avoid unnecessary
Ministry of Foreign Relations
Colombo
15 March 2020
Updated comment by Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Relations
Monday, 16 March 2020 15:35
It is firmly asserted that the Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and members of the Sri Lanka delegation to the recent Human Rights Council Meeting in Geneva had only interacted with the Foreign Ministry official concerned prior to the officer’s sole contact with the affected family member who was already travelling in Europe on a private engagement, during the period of 29 Feb - 1 March 2020.
Minister Gunawardena has also not come in to contact with the said officer, following the officer’s own return to Colombo on 8th March 2020.
The officer concerned had arrived at the Ministry only on one working day during the week starting 9th March which was prior to the return of the infected family member to Colombo which happened a few days later from the officer’s arrival.
Nevertheless, as a precautionary step, all staff who have come in to contact with the officer concerned, during this one working day last week, staff and family members residing in the Ministry quarters where the officer and family member reside and the staff of the Geneva Permanent Mission where the officer concerned was working during the previous 2 weeks, have been advised to ‘self-quarantine’.
Further action has been taken to disinfect the relevant areas of the Ministry and the quarters.
Presently the Ministry official is in good health.
The Ministry will continue to monitor and assess the situation to ensure the safety of its staff, its visitors and the general public.
Ministry of Foreign Relations
Colombo
15 March 2020
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